Browns choose experienced DC
By Jared Smola |
Updated on Wed, 18 Jan 2023, 3:54 PM EST
The Browns are hiring longtime NFL coach Jim Schwartz to run their defense. Cleveland fired DC Joe Woods after a season in which they fell from 5th in yards allowed, 13th in scoring defense and 11th in Football Outsiders DVOA to 14th, 20th and 23rd, respectively. Schwartz last coordinated the Eagles' defense from 2016-20. Overall, he has spent 19 years as DC (Titans, Bills and Eagles) or HC (Lions) in the NFL. Schwartz's defenses have tended to rank better against the run than the pass and have not proved especially helpful to LB tackle totals. He has generally focused on generating pressure with his front 4, often lining up edge players in a "wide 9" formation, well outside the OTs. We'll see about his specific plans for a Cleveland defense with some intriguing talent.