Welcome to Cleveland, Ray Horton

[jfiling]

Just heard on 92.3, from Schefter.

Great hire.

EDIT - I'm on record as wanting to stay with the 4-3. I don't think he's married to the 3-4, and he's definitely a brilliant defensive coach.

[motherscratcher]

And not for nothing, dude makes a nice cup of joe.

[Govbarney]

This guy is 3-4 to the bone.

Need to start looking at options like trading Sheard, drafting a OLB (preferably Jarvis Jones), and then figure out who can play better NT Taylor or Rubin

[pod2dawg]

Yep, Ray is a BIG 3-4 guy. I would think Lombardi seriously look at trading one of "blue collar" DT's rather than Sheard. Sheard may be able to play standing up. He at least knows where the QB lives. You guys are right we gotta get some heat on the QB.

[peeker643]

Yep, Ray is a BIG 3-4 guy. I would think Lombardi seriously look at trading one of "blue collar" DT's rather than Sheard. Sheard may be able to play standing up. He at least knows where the QB lives. You guys are right we gotta get some heat on the QB.

Yes, he is. But he showed in Phoenix he can transition to it while using 4-3 and 3-4 principles with what was largely 4-3 personnel.

This team CANNOT go 3-4 right now, as they stand, with present personnel. It's not going to put the best football players on the field. Unless they're looking to deal one of those interior DL to recoup picks.

[jerryroche]

Totally agree with what Peeker's been saying all along: the roster is now married to the 4-3, and switching to the 3-4 would require a huge change in personnel, which does not bode well for the current Browns.

I grew up on the 4-3. It was a good defense for its time. BUT—and it's a big but—the 3-4 (with four quick mobile linebackers, at least two of whom can put pressure on the QB along with the front 3) is better adapted to the league's current emphasis on the passing game than the 4-3.

IF the current regime can obtain the proper players for the 3-4, in the long run it should suit the Browns—and the times—very well. But it's very probably not something we're going to see the benefits of in 2013.

[Hikohadon]

Getting pressure on the QB is the key to today's defenses whether or not they're 3-4 or 4-3. The Giants won 2 SB's in the "Passing Era" with a 4-3.

If you took the 10 best D's in the NFL, there'd prob be 5 of each.

[jerryroche]

Getting pressure on the QB is the key to today's defenses whether or not they're 3-4 or 4-3. The Giants won 2 SB's in the "Passing Era" with a 4-3.
If you took the 10 best D's in the NFL, there'd prob be 5 of each.

Totally agree on pressure. But the 3-4 also helps better control short passing routes, which have become a staple of many progressive offenses. F'rinstance, we've seen too many recent instances of 4-3 defensive ends trying to cover TEs, which is a no-win situation. If you're doing the 4-3, you had damn well BETTER get pressure, and get it quick.