{"id":10023,"date":"2017-01-07T22:28:15","date_gmt":"2017-01-08T03:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=10023"},"modified":"2017-01-07T22:28:15","modified_gmt":"2017-01-08T03:28:15","slug":"gregg-williams-hired-browns-defensive-coordinator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/01\/07\/gregg-williams-hired-browns-defensive-coordinator\/","title":{"rendered":"Gregg Williams Hired As Browns Defensive Coordinator"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the end of the 2016 season, the Cleveland Browns fired defensive coordinator\u00a0Ray Horton<\/a><\/strong>. After only one season of work from Horton, the Browns\u00a0had seen enough. Revving\u00a0their coaching carousel once more, Cleveland offered the position to coaches\u00a0Wade Phillips\u00a0<\/strong>and finally\u00a0Gregg Williams<\/strong>, who accepted the job.<\/p>\n

So, who is Gregg Williams, and what can he do for the Browns?<\/p>\n

Gregg Williams Hired As Browns Defensive Coordinator<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Williams’s Defense<\/h3>\n

Known for his aggressive hybrid 4-3 defensive scheme, Williams runs an interesting look. His\u00a0defense often includes linebackers on the defensive line and safeties in the box, making for a very strong attack. While the Browns often ran a 3-4 look under Horton, it often seemed that they lacked the personnel to do so. A shortage of talented linebackers forced players like\u00a0Jamie Collins<\/a><\/strong> and\u00a0Christian Kirksey<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to pick up the slack. Williams’s defense seems to make a lot more sense for the Browns. Defensive linemen like\u00a0Emmanuel Ogbah<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Danny Shelton<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0can continue to develop and thrive in his defensive lineman-heavy system. In addition, the Browns would be wise to draft an elite prospect for\u00a0Williams (such as defensive end\u00a0Myles Garrett<\/strong>.)<\/p>\n

Past Work<\/h3>\n

As it turns out, Williams actually has a bit of history with the Browns. After firing head coach\u00a0Chris Palmer<\/strong> after the 2000 season, the Browns listed Williams as one of their finalists for the position.\u00a0The other finalists were current Bengals head coach\u00a0Marvin Lewis<\/a><\/strong> and\u00a0Butch Davis<\/a><\/strong>, who won the job. After the 2004 season, the Browns fired Davis\u00a0and replaced him with\u00a0Romeo Crennel<\/strong> in 2005. However,\u00a0Lewis continues to serve as head coach of the Bengals.<\/p>\n

Though Williams has history in Cleveland, his career is somewhat infamous. Most fans will remember Williams from the Bountygate scandal. Players on the New Orleans Saints defense were found to have been taking “bounties” for injuring opposing players. It was found that the Saints defense had attacked players such as\u00a0Cam Newton<\/a><\/strong> and\u00a0Aaron<\/strong>\u00a0Rodgers <\/strong>from 2009-2011. Although this may worry Browns fans, they must remember the defensive prowess and smarts\u00a0of Williams. With his intelligence, fans must be able to believe that Williams has cleaned himself up. After winning Super Bowl XLIV with the Saints, Williams\u00a0moved to the then St. Louis Rams in 2012, where he stayed only one year. He then moved on to the Tennessee Titans, where he again only stayed a year. From 2014-2016, he returned to the Los Angeles Rams, compiling a 17-31 record. Time will tell what he can do for the Browns.<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n