DC Weaver: Dolphins' problems 'can be solved through violence'

Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver delivered an intense message Friday, making it clear he expects an attitude change and more physicality from the team amid its 0-3 start.

"All of our problems that we need to solve can be solved through violence," Weaver said. "Yeah, they want to legislate it out of the game, but we play defensive football. And in defensive football, at some point, you draw a line in the sand and you say, 'I'm going to set the edge. I'm going to stick my helmet under this guy's chin and I'm going to set the edge. I'm going to violently take the ball away.' And that's what we need to do."

Weaver added that Miami wasn't "physical enough" to start last week's 31-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football, according to David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

The Dolphins' defense has been a disaster through the season's first three weeks, ranking dead last in defensive EPA/play and points allowed. The club's minus-41 point differential is the third-worst in the NFL.

"We all know run fits," Weaver said. "We know where guys are supposed to be and all those things. I get it. But at some point, again, it comes down to changing the math through violence.

"Our whole point of defense is we want the offense to feel like we're playing with 12 and 13. But you can't do that if you're just like, 'Yeah, I did my job.' No, I need you to do more than your job. I need you to whip that guy's ass in front of you and then fall off and make a play."

Weaver, a former defensive end with 103 NFL appearances under his belt, is in his second season as the Dolphins' defensive coordinator. He generated head coaching interest around the league last year.

The Dolphins host the New York Jets, who are also winless, on Monday.