Defensive change for Browns causing confusion
The good news for the Cleveland Browns, new defensive coordinator Ray Horton interviewed with eight NFL teams for a head coaching position. The bad news? Obviously no one signed him.
Horton has a chip on his shoulder and the first change he will make for is to run a 3-4 defense instead of the 4-3.
That could be a problem for defensive end Jabaal Sheard, tackle Ahtyba Rubin and linebacker D’Qwell Jackson who have all excelled in the 4-3. Or will it?
“It’ll be a 3-4 defense, the same defense we ran (in Arizona),” Horton told 910 AM in Arizona. “It won’t be a hybrid unless you’re playing golf.” The scheme will be similar to what the Pittsburgh Steelers run as he worked there from 2004-2010 under Dick LeBeau who runs the same 3-4.
But when new head coach Rob Chudzinski was asked at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards he stated that the Browns will run both the 3-4 and 4-3, more of a hybrid of the two fronts.
Owner Jimmy Haslam chimed in with “we’ll probably we’ll switch to the 3-4 defense” under Horton. I think it’ll be an attacking defense.”
So the hell is it? Can you at least get on the same page?
The Browns might want to figure out what they are doing and all agree before the 2013 NFL Draft to address the needs of linebacker.
According to NFL.com, the Browns ranked 10th in overall yards allowed, but in the end that doesn’t say much. They gave up 245 yards passing yards per game (ranked 25th) and 118 yards rushing yards per game (ranked 14th).
Rubin came up from a little known 6th rounder to a near Pro bowl NT in Crennel’s and Mangini’s 3-4 fronts. He will be fine. Many had said for years that Jackson was better suited for the 4-3 MLB, and they were right. But, he was a leading tackler as a WILB in these same fronts. He will be fine, too. Johnson can play inside and out and should be the favorite to win the SILB spot. Think Banner is going let both Gocong and Maiava walk in FA. Robertson has shown the quickness and instincis to bacl up J & J.
There is video and scouting reports out there that suggest Sheard can be a solid LOLB in a 3-4. He has the athleticism… but, can he drop back with a TE and support the run D on the second level will be the unanswered question.
That leaves SOLB as the biggest need on defense, obviously. Here’s one I’ve recently started to wonder about…Ray Horton had some success developing Sam Acho into a reliable OLB down in AZ. Sam’s brother Emmanuel sits on our roster…Can Horton catch lightning twice???
haha how can it be bad news for the Browns that no one signed him as a head coach? obviously if they would have, he wouldnt be the coordinator for the Browns! Thats GREAT news for Browns fans. These articles are closely rivaling another unanimous “Browns” site for the most questionable on the web.