Browns hire Rob Chudzinski

[NorthCoastKid]

Check out this interesting tidbit from a story published on the Cardinals website a couple years ago:

The greatest compliment Horton said he ever received came from Norv Turner, who was the offensive coordinator for the Cowboys during Horton’s playing days in Dallas. As Horton’s NFL career came to a close, Turner – who figured to get a head coaching opportunity soon – asked Horton to be on his staff, whenever that might be.

Horton was perplexed. He talked to a lot of coaches in Dallas, but they were defensive coaches, given Horton’s position. He hadn’t interacted with Turner nearly enough to produce an invitation to work for him. Turner told him he wanted Horton because all the Dallas defensive coaches spoke so highly of him – and that willingness from Turner sticks with Horton to this day.

[kiji]

Would Horton run a straight 3-4 or is he someone who would/could go with a hybrid

Horton runs the zone blitz.

[Doc Shakalou]

Arizona's D was nasty for the first half of the year, excited to see what Horton could do here. Especially if we managed to bring in Moore.

[Phills14]

If we are going to run a 3-4, that's fine but do it over a 2 year period. I will be very disappointed in they line up in a 3-4 base defense next season. They need a lot of pieces and it's hard to do in 1 off season.

[JMcCurry08]

Along w/ the d-coord position, #Browns GM race really starting to heat up. This one's not over, whatsoever, either.

— Keith Britton (@KeithBritton86) January 18, 2013

[440]

Good for Weeden, McCoy AND Trent Richardson RT @bumpw74: What do you think about my Browns bringing in Norv Turner?

— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) January 17, 2013

[JMcCurry08]

I've been told Ray Horton is very likely to end up as #Browns defensive coordinator. Especially after not being hired in AZ.

— Keith Britton (@KeithBritton86) January 18, 2013

[RappSoda]

Get 'em Chud!

[NorthCoastKid]

Former #browns personnel man mike Lombardi coming to Cleveland for interview today for gm job.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 18, 2013

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[JMcCurry08]

Former #browns personnel man mike Lombardi coming to Cleveland for interview today for gm job.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 18, 2013

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Spectre]

Former #browns personnel man mike Lombardi coming to Cleveland for interview today for gm job.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 18, 2013

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ewwwwww. If (God forbid) he did get the job, I'd at least be interested to see if he made a play for Ryan Mallett. That goofball loved Mallett coming out; I even think he had him rated as the top QB in 2011.

[NorthCoastKid]

Lombardi is Vp of personnel. Presser at 11:30.

[ohiorulez]

Doesn't matter who our coaches are if the players we draft and get suck. Get ready to clear house again in 3 years.

[Smooth]

Horton is pretty much what Chud mentioned in the press conference; he's an attacking (in every sense of the word), hybrid 34 guy... Horton runs a 34 but he mixes a lot of hybrid looks in and Dockett and Campbell up front allowed them to run a hybrid a lot...

Right now the Rams, Eagles, Jaguars, Jets, Chargers and Bears are the only other DC openings..

The Eagles haven't had any link to Horton, it looks like it'll be Todd Bowles there..

The Jaguars under Bradley will run a 43 so Horton doesn't fit there...

Horton could be a fit in Chicago but I'd be extremely surprised if they hire a 34 coordinator with the talent they have there..

The Rams were close to hiring Rob Ryan before so I wonder if they're looking for a 43 or 34 coordinator since Ryan has experience in both but has usually ran a 34.. Their defense fits the 43 but we'll see what they're looking for..

The Chargers right now have Pagano under contract as their coordinator, so until he moves on he's the coordinator there... Whisenhunt as the OC could be a possible link if they go after Horton with their Pittsburgh connection..

The Jets run a 34 and need a new defensive coordinator but I'd be surprised if Ryan or Horton look to each other since both will want full command of the defense..

So really when looking at it, I'd say it comes down to the Rams and Browns right now with the Eagles and Chargers being sleeper candidates..

I'd be all for Horton as the DC, as it would be getting the best candidate out there and completing a very impressive staff with exactly what Chud needs... Bringing Horton in would be a strong move because he's the exact type of coordinator needed to run that defense and compliment Chud... My only worry with Horton is that he'll bring the 34 defense with him and we don't know for how long that will be for... It'd be different we would expect him to be here for a handful of years but there's a good chance Horton could be a HC within the next two off-seasons... So for continuity in regards to the system and the coaching staff, that's my only worry...

Either way, I think with the way the openings break down Horton, Pagano or Tucker will be the defensive coordinator...

[JMcCurry08]

Ray Horton officially released from his Cardinals contract. Expectation is he lands in Cleveland.

— NFL: AroundTheLeague (@NFL_ATL) January 18, 2013