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Weaver Linked to NFL Head Coach Openings

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Weaver Linked to NFL Head Coach Openings


Anthony Weaver was a legitimate NFL head coach candidate last offseason and his work in his first year as Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator has only helped his cause.

Weaver, who interviewed for the openings with the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders last year, figures to get more interviews in this cycle, and a couple of potential landing spots already have been identified.

Even more specific, Weaver has been identified as a strong candidate for the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears, which was vacated when the team fired Matt Eberflus last in the season, according to NFL reporter Diana Russini of The Athletic.

In a story published Saturday, Russini wrote the folllowing about the Bears’ coaching search: “The Bears are gearing up for their head-coaching search, and a few big names are already on their radar: Vrabel, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and Weaver, the Dolphins’ DC. GM Ryan Poles has been doing serious homework on these candidates, particularly Weaver.”

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Additionally, Russini wrote that if the Jacksonville Jaguars end up firing head coach Doug Pederson, Weaver would be among the candidates who would be in consideration.

That Weaver would be a hot candidate is no surprise at all, given all the rave reviews he’s gotten at all of his stops, not to mention the Dolphins’ performance on defense this season.

Weaver is aware of his situation, but his focus was solely on trying to get the Dolphins into the playoffs when he conducted his weekly media session Thursday.

“It’s funny because I spoke to my agent last night and he’s like, ‘What are you doing to prepare for those ops?’ ” Weaver said Thursday. “I’m like absolutely nothing. Absolutely nothing. Yeah, I’m so focused right now. I’m just controlling what we control, beating the Jets and praying that we get the help we need in order to continue this run. Because I think if we can get in, if we’re blessed with that opportunity, we can make some noise.”

With one game left in the 2024 regular season, we easily can make the determination that the hiring of Weaver to replace Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator was a massive hit for the Dolphins.

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The team will go into the season finale against the New York Jets ranked third in the NFL in total defense and tied for eighth in points allowed — all this despite not having Bradley Chubb all season and having Jaelan Phillips for only a month.

The defense also produced the team MVP in lineman Zach Sieler.

If the Dolphins indeed are to make some noise in the first few weeks of January, it’s more than likely it will have to be the defense leading the way given Tua Tagovailoa’s uncertain status because of his hip injury and injuries on the offensive line.

If the Dolphins don’t make any kind of run, Weaver’s focus then would shift to his personal opportunities and the Weaver watch will go into full effect.

And if it turns out he’s one-and-done because he becomes a head coach elsewhere, Weaver can leave knowing he did a great job in his short stint in Miami.

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Miami, FL

Titans ‘Love’ Miami QB as Possible First Pick

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Titans ‘Love’ Miami QB as Possible First Pick


The Tennessee Titans are officially on the clock. After the New England Patriots ended up winning in Week 18, the Titans will hold the No. 1 overall pick.

Landing the top pick could not have come at a better time. Tennessee badly needs to find a new franchise quarterback after it has become clear that Will Levis isn’t that guy and Mason Rudolph most certainly isn’t either.

At the top of the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward appear to be the top two quarterbacks on the board. If the Titans want one of those two guys, they will have their pick.

With that being said, it sounds like Tennessee has heavy interest in one of them.

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According to a report from Benjamin Allbright, Tennessee is “rumored to love Cam Ward” and could make him the No. 1 overall pick.

Ward is coming off of a massive season with the Miami Hurricanes during the 2024 college football season. He took his game to a completely new level and has set himself up to be potentially be the top pick in the draft.

He ended up completing 67.2 percent of his pass attempts for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. He also picked up 204 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Standing in at 6-foot-2 and just under 225 pounds, Ward has great size for an NFL quarterback. He has solid athleticism to extend plays and he has a big-time arm.

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On the outside looking in, he looks the part of a potential NFL franchise quarterback.

Of course, there are no guarantees in the NFL Draft. Taking any player is a gamble.

Passing up on Sanders for Ward would also put a lot of pressure on the young signal caller. A lot of people have been expecting Sanders to be the top pick, but the Titans might like Ward more.

Only time will tell, but the offseason is going to be wild. Fans should buckle up and get ready for a ton of rumors and speculation about what Tennessee could end up doing.

Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

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Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill says he’s ‘opening the door’ to leave Miami

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Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill says he’s ‘opening the door’ to leave Miami


Tyreek Hill is willing to leave the Miami Dolphins after a disappointing 2024 season.

“I don’t even know,” Hill told reporters when asked what his message to his teammates was this offseason following their season-ending loss to the New York Jets. “This is my first time that I haven’t been in the playoffs, man. For me, I’ve just got to do what’s best for me and my family. Whether that’s here or whoever the case may be, I’m finna opening that door for myself. 

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“I’m opening the door. I’m out, bro. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day I got to do what’s best for my career. I’m too much of a competitor to be just out there.”

In a follow-up question, Hill was asked if that meant he could end up leaving Miami. He initially said, “If it is … ” before walking away.

Soon after, Hill went on social media and thanked Dolphins fans for their support, hinting at his possible departure. 

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel downplayed Hill’s comment when asked about it following Sunday’s game. 

“I’m not going to put too much weight on second-hand postgame disappointment statements,” McDaniel told reporters. “We will see how (the) next couple days progress in convos with him and I.”

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Hill has two seasons left on a three-year, $90 million extension he signed with the Dolphins in August. The 30-year-old had a relatively down year in 2024, but he was still productive in his ninth season despite Tua Tagovailoa missing six games due to injury. In 17 games, Hill recorded 81 receptions for 959 yards and six touchdowns. 

Outside of the 2019 season (when Hill played in 12 games with the Chiefs), those are his lowest yardage and TD numbers since he was a rookie.

“It is what it is,” Hill said when asked how it felt not to reach 1,000 receiving yards on the season. “It’s life, man. At the end of the day, there’s a lot of things that I need to reassess about my career — just seeing what I need to do to continue to get better as a player so I can continue to reach that 1,000-yard mark. So, it is what it is.”

Hill also didn’t play in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. However, Hill and McDaniel pointed at the other on whose decision it was to pull him. While Hill said he was dealing with the right wrist injury that’s bothered him for much of the season, he added, “Coach kind of pulled me out.”

“I was informed he was unavailable right before a drive,” McDaniel said of Hill’s injury. “I was not informed that it was a new injury. Focus was on players on the field.”

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As Hill mentioned, this season was the first time in his career that he won’t play in the playoffs. Miami went 8-9, with the injuries to Tagovailoa playing a key role in the Dolphins’ inability to make it back to the postseason for a third straight year. 

“It was a tough season,” Hill said. “It sucks missing QB1. It really hurts a lot, not having him. [Tyler Huntley] did a great job filling in, whenever he learned the offense and getting us going. But whenever you’re missing your franchise player, it kind of sucks.”

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Women's Basketball: Canes drop heartbreaker to Virginia Tech, 68-64

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Women's Basketball: Canes drop heartbreaker to Virginia Tech, 68-64


CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s basketball team fell heartbreakingly to Virginia Tech (10-4, 1-2) Sunday afternoon by a final score of 68-64. The Hurricanes (11-4, 1-3) led for 32 minutes and 56 seconds throughout the contest; however, they surrendered a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter, as the Hokies ended the game on a 21-5 run to earn the victory.

Miami displayed a balanced offensive attack, with six players scoring five or more points, including three players reaching double figures in scoring. The Canes shot 44.6 percent from the field and 81.8 percent at the free throw line as a team while limiting Virginia Tech to just 38.2 percent shooting from the field, but the Hokies finished with a stellar clip of 37.9 percent from behind the arc.

Individually, Cameron Williams led the way for Miami, as she recorded a double-double with a 15-point, 10-rebound performance.

Jasmyne Roberts chipped in 13 points, and Haley Cavinder had a stellar all-around outing, scoring 12 points grabbing six rebounds, and recording a game-high six assists.

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Hanna Cavinder added nine points, and freshman Leah Harmon posted six points off the bench for Miami.

The Canes jumped out to a 6-0 lead after burying three of their first four shot attempts. Virginia Tech fought back, and the two squads found themselves even at 10 points apiece with 3:33 left in the first quarter. The Hokies outscored the Canes 6-5 over the remainder of the period, as Miami entered the second quarter trailing Virginia Tech 16-15.

The back-and-forth play continued in the second quarter, and Miami and Virginia Tech entered halftime even at 28 points apiece. The Canes came out strong in the third period, opening the quarter on a 14-2 run to build a 42-30 advantage at 4:16. Miami maintained their lead and entered the final stanza ahead by seven points.

The Canes started the fourth quarter similarly to the third period. They went on an 8-3 run to take a 59-47 lead with just 7:36 to play. The Hokies began to move, taking a one-point lead with 1:03 remaining.

Miami made a lone free throw to tie the contest with 41 seconds left, but Virginia Tech was fouled and made a pair of free throws to retake the lead with 13 seconds to go. Miami missed a shot to tie the game, and VT made two more free throws to ice the game.

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The Canes will return to the court next Sunday, January 12, as they are slated to travel to Syracuse to take on The Orange at 6 p.m.

Courtesy of Miami Athletics



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