ExtremeRavens Posted 20 hours ago Posted 20 hours ago When new Ravens coach Jesse Minter declared last Thursday that he was going to call the defense, he unintentionally limited the type of talent that was available at defensive coordinator. The proven coaches like Cleveland’s Jim Schwartz were going to be unavailable because they wanted to put their signatures on the defense. The same can be said for former Ravens safety Jim Leonhard, who became the Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator. Leonhard had previously served as the Denver Broncos assistant head coach/defensive pass game coordinator. So, basically, the Ravens were either going to hire a young assistant to absorb everything possible from Minter before potentially becoming a head coach, or select an older coach who no longer had head coaching ambitions. On Monday, the Ravens hired Anthony Weaver as their new defensive coordinator, who can be best described as a “tweener.” The 45-year-old assistant isn’t as young as Minter, 42, but isn’t quite as old as Joe Cullen, 58, the Kansas City Chiefs defensive line coach who was one of the favorites to take the job here. “So grateful to coach Minter, [Ravens general manager] Eric DeCosta and [owner] Mr. [Steve] Bisciotti for this incredible opportunity,” Weaver said. “Baltimore holds a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to get to work and give the Flock a reason to Rock.” It’s an intriguing matchup, this Minter and Weaver combination. Usually, coordinators are allowed to select one or two position coaches, and it’s not known if Weaver will have that opportunity, but he will be more than just a “yes man.” That’s not his style. Weaver is his own man, and he showed that during his four seasons playing with the Ravens as a second-round selection out of Notre Dame in 2002. When the Ravens lost, a lot of the media went to Weaver because he was logical and precise. More importantly, he understands the defensive work ethic here in Baltimore having played for the Ravens until he signed as a free agent with Houston in 2006. In those days, the Ravens also had one of the better run defenses in the NFL anchored by Weaver, nose guard Kelly Gregg, middle linebackers Ray Lewis, Bart Scott and outside linebackers such as Adalius Thomas, Peter Boulware, Cornell Brown and Jarret Johnson. With that group, everyone had to hold their own and be held accountable, a word that is missing in the Ravens’ locker room. It is interesting, though, that Weaver returns to Baltimore because he was passed over twice for defensive coordinator jobs. Former Ravens coach John Harbaugh had an opportunity to hire Weaver two years ago in Baltimore, but passed on him as well as current New York Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. Both were interviewed for the Giants’ open position before Harbaugh selected Wilson. The Ravens eventually hired Zach Orr, and that didn’t work out well, especially in 2025. The Ravens were ranked No. 30 in pass defense, allowing 247.9 yards per game, and No. 24 in total defense, giving up 354.5 yards a contest. As for sack specialists, the Ravens didn’t have one. Defensive end Tavius Robinson had 4 1/2 sacks and rookie outside linebacker Mike Green had 3 1/2. The bunch was extremely ordinary. It will be interesting to see how the past connections flow. The Chargers have some ideal pass rushers available in free agency in Khalil Mack and former Ravens edge Odafe Oweh. Will Weaver have much say in those possible deals? The experience factor, though, should pay off well for the Ravens. Despite having worked for both Harbaugh brothers, younger brother Jim in Los Angeles and older brother John in Baltimore, Minter is a first-year head coach. Ravens new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, 29, has never called plays in a game despite working for Ben Johnson in Chicago and Sean Payton in Denver. The Ravens needed experience. Besides playing for seven years, Weaver has had coaching stints with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and the Cleveland Browns as well as serving as the Texans’ defensive coordinator in 2020. As for the last two seasons as the coordinator in Miami, no one can hold that against Weaver. Miami had been soft for years and its run defense was abysmal and finished ranked No. 27. The passing defense was No. 18, allowing 216.4 yards per game. Weaver, though, came up during some good times in Baltimore. He was first hired as the defensive line coach and run game coordinator in 2021, and later promoted to assistant head coach in 2022. So, he knows about the work ethic in Baltimore and was with current Seattle coach Mike Macdonald when he was the coordinator in Baltimore. Right now, after watching the past two seasons, that has a lot of meaning in town. He appears to be a good fit, and hopefully will get a head coaching job soon. Overall, not bad for a “tweener.” Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article Quote
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