Cleveland Browns 2017 Season Preview: The Coaching Staff

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE


The 2017 Cleveland Browns preview. Where to begin? Well the best place to start is at the top, which is the coaching staff. A coaching staff that went through some changes during the off-season, of course. What kind of an off-season would it be without some type of coaching change, but unlike years before these changes seem to have already paid off and might have jolted this rebuild.


Head Coach/Offense: Hue Jackson. Jackson is entering his second season with the Browns, as we all know. Last season's 1-15 record doesn't do him justice. He basically did all he could. Multiple injuries at key positions, quarterback, offensive line, and receiver, didn't truly allow him to call the type of games he wanted too. Going into the 2017 season the Browns are expected to be a run heavy team.

They committed a lot of money to the offensive line this season and brought in a new offensive line coach Bob Wylie. Wylie brings almost 40 years of coaching experience from the NFL, College, and the Canadian Football League. He's familiar with Coach Jackson, serving as his offensive line coach in 2011 when Jackson was Head Coach of the Raiders.

Along with Wylie, the Browns brought in David Lee to coach the quarterbacks. Last year's QB coach Pep Hamilton left the Browns to take the offensive coordinator position at the University of Michigan. Lee also bring in a ton of experience to the staff. Lee's been a coach in College and the NFL for over 40 years.

He's coached up guys like Drew Bledsoe, Chad Pennington and was part of the Buffalo Bills the past two seasons, and helped mold Tyrod Taylor into a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL. Outside of those two changes the Browns offensive staff remained the same. Al Saunders is still the Sr. offensive assistant/wide receivers coach, Kirby Wilson stayed as running backs coach/running game coordinator, and Greg Seamon remained as the tight ends coach.




Overall Offensive Outlook: The Browns will be a ground and pound football team this season. No matter who's taking the snaps behind center. Its not crazy to predict guys like Isaiah Crowell to have monster years. Plus, with a vastly improved defense the Browns should be able to "Feed the Crow" and protect the quarterback from games where they must throw the ball over 30-35 times.

Defensive Coaches: The defensive side of the ball is headlined by new Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams. Gregg Williams comes to Cleveland as arguably the best defensive coordinator in the League. He's coached five top five defenses in the league, won a super bowl with the New Orleans Saints in 2009. Yes, he was part of bounty-gate but don't ask him about it...The last three seasons he was with the Rams, and helped them rank in the top 10 in defense during his tenure. Everywhere Williams goes the defense improves, and Cleveland shouldn't be any different. Williams is known for running a 4-3 base defense but he's all about playing to his players strengths. So we should see him using multiple fronts and a bunch of different combinations in the secondary. Williams brought in an entire new staff with him to Cleveland, headlined by two time All-Pro defensive end Clyde Simmons.

Simmons played in the NFL for 15 years and finished his career ranked top 20 in career sacks. He's spent the past five seasons with the Rams as an assistant defensive line coach. Simmons has helped coach up star defensive linemen like Robert Quinn, Aaron Donald, and Chris Long. Simmons is here to do the same thing. Help with the development Myles Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah, Carl Nassib, and many others as true defensive pass rushers with four down linemen.

The secondary is coached by DeWayne Walker. This is Walker's fourth NFL team, where he's coached the secondary. Walker coached the secondary under Gregg Williams back in 2004-2005 with the Washington Redskins. He spent the last four season with Jacksonville helping to develop guys like Johnathan Cyprien, Jalen Ramsey, Josh Evans, and Davone House. With the Browns, Walker will work with young guys like Derrick Kindred, Jabrill Peppers, and Briean Bobby Calhoun just like he did in Jacksonville.

Last, but not least, the linebackers are coached by Blake Williams...Gregg Williams' son. Blake was the defensive coordinator the Rams in 2012 and has spent the last few years as defensive coordinator in college. From 2013-2014 he was the DC for William Jewell College and in 2015 was the DC for Southeastern Louisiana. The Linebacker room for the Browns is one of the strengths of this team. Lead by Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey. Both will be playing a ton of snaps in many different types of sets and positions.


Overall Defensive Outlook: The defense is projecting to be the most improved area on this team. For many seasons it been our Achilles heel. The lack of run defense has forced the offense into becoming one dimensional. If the defense can force timely turnovers and keep deficits manageable, it would be hard to see how this team won't be one of the most improved teams in the NFL. But it starts on the defensive side of the ball.

Special Teams: Its not a Cleveland Browns' coaching staff without Chris Tabor as the Special Teams coach. He's been with the Browns since 2011 and has coached some of the best special teams players in recent history (Josh Cribbs and Phil Dawson). The last few seasons though the Browns have struggled. An inconsistent kicking game and a return game that hasn't recovered from Cribbs absences and newer rule of kicking off at the 35 yard line. But this year should be different. Both the punt and kick return game have new faces. Mario Alford was brought in late last season to return kicks and immediately made a difference. Along with Alford, Jabrill Peppers will see some time at punt returns which is one of the many things he excelled at in college. And with the inconsistent kicking game the Browns drafted Zane Gonzalez out of Arizona State in the seventh round to come in a compete with Cody Parkey.

Krunch Time With Katelin 7/26/17: 5 Things To Watch In Browns Training Camp

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE


Football is back!!!!

The Browns are getting ready for the 2017 season, headlined by first overall pick Myles Garrett. Its been a successful off-season for the Browns. They've beefed up the offensive line, they've also added players on both sides of the ball in the draft and during free agency. But it wouldn't be an off-season with changes in the coaching staff. Gregg Williams is now the defensive coordinator after the firing of Ray Horton.

And with that being said the number one thing to watch for is the new defensive coordinator and his staff. Gregg Williams has a history of being one of the top defensive coaching in the NFL. He is a hard-nose football guy and is here to help change the culture. We've seen it already...during press conferences he's calling out players and members of the media *cough. And we've also seen bits and pieces of how he interacts with players (before the press conference of the first round picks). And that's what I'm personally interested in. Seeing how Gregg Williams interacts with the defense during camp and how it will set a tone of the defense throughout the regular season.


It wouldn't be a Browns training camp without a quarterback battle. But this time its s triple threat match between: second year quarterback Cody Kessler, Veteran quarterback Brock Osweiler, and rookie second round pick Deshone Kizer. There is an argument to be made for all three of these guys to start week one. Kessler has been in the system for a year and has made improvements to his game. For the record, he might be odds on favorite to start week one.

Osweiler was acquired during the off-season along with a second round pick from the Texans in a deal that was basically a salary dump. The Texans wanted Osweiler off the team and the Browns wanted the second round pick and his contract in order to meet the NFL's cap requirements. There were rumors about Osweiler being traded, which could still happen if there is an injury during the preseason. But as of right now he is competing for the starting job. Osweiler never seemed to fit into what Bill O'Brien wanted to do in Houston and the change of scenery might turn out to be a good thing. He did win a super bowl in Denver while playing a number of games during the regular season and he played well.

Last but certainly not least the second round pick out of Notre Dame, Deshone Kizer. This guy has all the tools to be an NFL quarterback. In my opinion he should just start week one. The Browns aren't going to win a lot of game so I don't see why the Browns would wait six-eight weeks for Kizer to start. I'd rather have a complete year grade for him and if the Browns end up with a top five pick in next year's draft they'd know what they have a the quarterback position. Kizer can make all the NFL throws and for the majority of last season was touted as the top quarterback in the class. But a terrible record and the questionable coaching he had in college seemed to have dropped his stock.


Rookies in general are always fun to watch during camp. They give fans a hope for the future and this year is no different. With 10 draftees this year the Browns are full of young talent. Three first round picks: Myles Garrett, Jabrill Peppers, and David Njoku, Kizer, and defensive linemen Larry Ognujobi and Caleb Brantley are the ones should stand out.

But its not just the rookies this year to keep an eye on but the guys who are entering their second year as professionals. The wide receivers are still extremely young. These guys need to step up. Corey Coleman, Ricardo Louis, Jordan Payton and Rashard Higgins are all vying for playing time. Obviously, Coleman will get his chance as a first round pick, but the other three will be battling each other not just for playing time on offense but showing their worth on special teams.

This might not but just a training camp thing to watch but throughout the preseason is to just keep an eye on the secondary. This is Joe Haden's put-up or shut-up year. He's already been challenged by Gregg Williams this off-season and he is the leader of the defense. Haden had a bounce back year last year after a rough 2015 campaign. Even though 2016 was still an injury plagued season for Haden. Outside of Haden the Browns still have some questions. And it isn't in a negative way but just as an unknown.

Jamar Taylor seems to be a solid starter in the NFL and Briean Boddy-Calhoun played well at times last year. The Browns acquired two veterans Calvin Pryor and Jason McCourty late in the off-season. It will be interesting to see if a change of location would help Pryor and the were McCourty will even play. Whether at the corner position or a safety. And how McCourty's leadership will help the development of Peppers, Derrick Kindred, Bobby-Calhoun, and Ibraheim Campbell

There will be a lot more to talk about during the preseason and I will have articles on specific positions while we lead up to the start of the regular season. And as always I will have the Previews for each game and the recaps along with a random article Browns article during the middle of each week. Its good to be back in the groove of writing and talking Cleveland Browns!!!!

Radio Show 1/11/17: On Browns/Gregg Williams, Deshaun Watson, Cavs, DeMarcus Cousins, NBA All-Stars

By Raven Williams, @nevaRWilliams

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Browns Talk 1/10/17: The Browns Defense Going Forward With Gregg Williams

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The Cleveland Browns will have a new defensive coordinator for the 2017 season. Gregg Williams was officially named as DC Saturday and is expected to bring 3-4 coaches with him from the Rams. This change isn't just a coaching change though, its a schematic also. For the first time since 2012, the Browns will use the 4-3 defense. Gregg Williams primarily uses the 4-3 base defense and has for most of his career...and frankly it fits this roster better going forward.

The Browns defense going into this off-season still has major holes but the simple switch to the 4-3 helps patch up some of them. For example, Emmanual Ogbah will be a defensive end in the 4-3 defense. He can just focus on run stopping and pass rushing instead of including pass coverage when he was an outside linebacker in the 3-4. Ogbah started to play well when he was switched to the defensive line in the last month and a half of the season.  Same thing does with Desmond Bryant who might end up moving to defensive tackle next to Danny Shelton in a 4-3.

Now of course there are some players who won't have to change positions but it will help with depth at individual positions...like at middle linebacker. Christian Kirksey should continue to be the middle linebacker in the 4-3. He has a nose for the ball and speed to play the run and pass in the 4-3. Kirksey by the way lead the team in tackles with 148. With that Demario Davis will become the main backup for Kirksey and that's going to make the entire defense stronger. Having a former starter, who was the second on the team in tackles, as a backup should help this team on the field and the front office off the field during free agency and the draft.

The Browns obviously have the number one overall pick and the 12th overall pick in the NFL Draft. They have been linked to a handful of players at number one but Myles Garrett seems to be consensus best player in this draft and has been mocked to the Browns at one by almost every "draft expert". Myles Garrett has been compared to Jevon Kearse by NFL.com draft Analyst Lance Zierlein. Garrett on the opposite side of Ogbah would help the development of both player. Williams' defense will use both of their strengths and try and get to the quarterback as much as they can. Garrett wouldn't have to worry about covering a running back or tight end at all like Ogbah did for the first 2/3rd of his NFL career.

With the 12th overall pick the Browns have been linked to many players on both sides of the ball. A ton of fans hope one of the top rated safeties end up dropping to the Browns. Malik Hooker and Jamal Adams are the top rated "free" and "strong" safety. They've been compared to elite players in recent history. Hooker could be the next Ed Reed and Jamal Adams was recently compared to Sean Taylor by Matt Miller of Bleacher Report. I know those are crazy comparisons but if one of these guys are there at 12, it would be crazy for the Browns to pass up one of those guys. Especially Adams who was compared to Sean Taylor and Gregg Williams was his defensive coordinator in Washington during his career.

Free Agency is going to be interesting for the Browns. They have a ton of money in their pocket to spend and a few holes to fill on defense. The Browns I'm sure want Jamie Collins for the long-term. Collins is one of the best outside linebackers in the NFL and the change of defensive schemes shouldn't affect his position status with the team. But there are a couple free agents who would help this defense day one.

Duron Harmon is a safety from the New England Patriots. He's going to be a unrestricted free agent this off-season and is set to get a pay day from a new team. He's currently the backup for Devin McCourty. Harmon is only 26 years old so it would fit the Browns' rebuilding plan. He's coming from the New England and that doesn't hurt and is a perfect fit to help change the culture.

Trumaine Johnson is another guy who would fit this Browns team. He's been part Gregg Williams defense the past few years and had his best years under Williams (164 tackles and 11 interceptions since 2014).  He's another unrestricted free agent who is only 27 years old. Johnson and Haden patrolling the secondary with Gregg Williams attacking defense with hopefully one of the rookie safeties and Myles Garrett...that's starting to become "on paper" a top tier defense in the NFL.

Gregg Williams Hired As Browns Defensive Coordinator

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

After a dismal 1-15 season, the Cleveland Browns decided to make some changes. They have relieved defensive coordinator Ray Horton of his duty. Horton was in his second stint with the Browns (2013 under Rob Chudzinski). Horton's defense this past season struggled. They ranked 31st in yards per game (392), 21st pass defense (249 yards per game) and 31st against the run (142 yards per game). The defense also only forced 16 turnovers and set the record for most consecutive games giving up 25 or more points to start a season.

The Browns are replacing Horton with Rams' defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Williams has been a defensive coordinator for most of his career (1997-2000 Titans, 2004-2007 Redskins, 2008 Jacksonville, 2009-2011 Saints (where he won a Super Bowl in 2009), 2012, 2014-2016 Rams. And was a head coach once from 2001-2003 with the Bills. This past season the Rams' had the ninth best defense only giving up 337 yards per game.

The main difference between Horton and Williams is defensive scheme. Horton runs an aggressive
3-4 defense (three lineman four linebackers) but Williams runs a 4-3 (four linemen three linebackers). The change to the 4-3 should help the Browns going forward especially since the Browns have the number one overall pick in the draft and could potentially take Myles Garrett who is a 4-3 defensive pass rusher.

Per Mike Silver of NFL network: Hue Jackson wanted Williams because "he can adapt scheme to fit talents of his players."

Williams was part of the Bounty Gate controversy involving the Saints during his tenure. Bounty gate was a "pay for performance" program where members of the Saints would put out bounties on opposing players and claim the bounty when they injured the player. It was also alleged that Williams had the same "bounty" programs during his time with the Redskins, Bills, and Titans.