DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns Hiring Gregg Williams (according to LaCanfora)

There are no surprises here, when you're 1-15 something has to change and no job should be safe. That being said, this is an outstanding move. Williams is light years ahead of Horton as a DC and exactly what a young team needs. I expect big growth next year. For one thing, we will be an aggressive and in your face defense, it will be nice to see. Hopefully we fix the offense and make a big jump next year

I'm good with this hire, if it means that our D will be playing with some attitude. We share this division with PIT and BAL... and I'm tired of seeing them beat us like someone's 12 year-old stepdaughter.

Time to show up prepared, hungry, and wearing a chip.

Lets just hope it's not a cow chip.

If your hungry enough any chip will do.

I like Pringles.

More of a sunchip guy

I love how many posters are so on board with this move now. We're finally on the right path. We're entering a new Browns era. We'll be playing with a whole new attitude... blah blah blah blah. Those same posters were talking the same bunch of garbage when Horton was hired and then had to backtrack. We'll see when we're near the bottom again next year on defense.

You mean browns fans are unified over this hire, in general?

That's a good thing. There was a good divide over the hire of Horton this second go around.

That the majority supports this is a good sign.

IMO, of course.

I dont know anyone that was happy Horton was back? Even Vers who was against the firing was pretty well against him being rehired. The guy was an ass his first time around blaming everyone for his problems and this time around he sucked even worse than the first go.

It is also pretty codemning that Lacanfora broke the story after Ray was notified before anyone else had a chance to run with it. Guess we know what coach was upset over personnel decisions made by the FO lol

I don't know if he interviewed, but he was the head coach of the Bills for 3 seasons.

since you put it in quotes why don't you provide a link to where briles said rape is ok.

I think you are way off base. As best I recall, not many were thrilled that Ray was named DC a 2nd time around.

LOL. People on Facebook are calling him Dawg, the Bounty Hunter.

LOL. People on Facebook are calling him Dawg, the Bounty Hunter.

Whatever, dude. What, you and others don't like it cause you didn't get your way? Here's news, it ain't about you and others, it's about getting it right. Horton sucked, period. FTR I hated the Horton hire, I wanted him gone by game four, and was on board with the Williams hire as soon as I heard Horton might get fired. So whatever happens here forward, I'm happy to let it play out. Continuity for continuity sake is nonsense. Horton sucked. Yeah, we're talent light, but Horton sucked. Yeah, Haslam has been fumbling in the dark trying to get it right with zero success his first two tries, but Horton sucked. And yes, Sashi and Co. have made a handful of blunders that have hurt the team, but Horton sucked. So the reason Williams was hired? Horton sucked.

God, I'm so sick of the constant whining about the decision making on this board, you'd think Haslam emptied your 401Ks and Sashi stole your prom dates.

So we WILL learn to tackle? Welcome aboard. Win some.

He hired at least some coaches with advice from the Fritz Pollard organization, which promotes minority candidates to coordinator and above roles. Our RB coach was definitely one such hire, and they worked to get him pout of the end of his old contract so we could hire him. (which did not happen, so we had to wait to hire him until his old deal expired)

There is some information here, and there are other articles if anyone cares to do a Google search.

Defensive coordinator Ray Horton, offensive assistant Al Saunders and Browns coach Hue Jackson likely to join forces - Browns - Ohio
http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/defens...forces-1.655870

Hue Jackson details Gregg Williams hire, discusses ongoing evaluation

Opening statement:
“I thought it was important that I had a chance to talk to you guys so we can have the right narrative out there as opposed to what everybody is thinking. Fire away, and we will go from there.”

On the decision to change defensive coordinators:

“What I said when the season was over was I was going to go back and look at everything. All of these decisions, I think you guys all know are very difficult, but it is my job to make sure that I am creating the right environment to create a championship team and a winning organization. I don’t want anybody to take that this is just about (former Browns defensive coordinator) Ray (Horton). This is really about my vision. It is about what I am trying to create here in Cleveland and how I see it and what I think it is going to take for us to get there. This isn’t just Ray. I know it looks like that. I know it looks like he gets caught up in it and however you guys want to say that, but it is not about that. It is bigger to me than that. I needed to look at our staff and I needed to look at our team and figure out what is going to be the best way for us moving forward so that I can bring winning to the Cleveland Browns. That’s what I was interested in doing. These are tough decisions. These are hard decisions, but they are decisions to me from a leadership position that have to be made if you are going to create the winning environment that I hope to create here.”

On understanding the perception that Horton may be used as a scapegoat for the team’s season:

“Right, well, I do. That is why I am telling you guys that I am disappointed that everybody is making it that way. If anybody, the finger is pointed back at me. It is not pointed at Ray. At the end of the day, the whole buck stops with me. I get it. I know what it looks like and what the perception is, but that is not what it is. This is my decision. This is through my time of thinking through what I think is going to be best for us moving forward for our football team and where I want to take it and what I thought we needed to do to get there. There are decisions that are going to be made that are very difficult. They are hard, but you have to make them if that is where you are trying to go. I feel very comfortable in what we have done and where we are trying to head. I thank the organization for allowing me to do the things that I think need to be done to get to where we need to be.”

On why defensive coordinator Gregg Williams brings the Browns closer to having a championship team:

“He is one of the better coordinators in the National Football League, and I think that is proven. The guy has a ton of skins on the wall doing this in a lot of different places with a lot of different players and a lot of different systems. I need growth over there as fast as I can get it. I truly believe in his track record and what he has done. Like I said, this wasn’t an easy decision. I agonized over this probably more than anybody because it does, it does hurt some people, but when I look at it at the end of the day, I have to do what I think is right to get us to where we need to be. I think Gregg is that guy.”

On his relationship with Williams and how Williams rebounded after being suspended by the NFL:

“It says that he is a guy who put his head down and went back to work and went back to doing what he is extremely good at, which is coaching defense. It means that someone gave him an opportunity to get back to where he needed to be, and he has shown that he is still a very good defensive mind from before all that. I am just glad that we are having an opportunity to have him be a part of our staff and help us get to where we are trying to go.”

On if Williams’ defensive system is a better match for the Browns’ defensive personnel:

“His system gives us a chance, and what he has done is adapt many different schemes that he has been a part of and that he knows to the talent that is there. We all know we are going to have an opportunity to improve our football team as we move forward through free agency and the draft, and I think that is very important. He is going to bring us the type of defense that I am looking for as we move forward here.”

On if Williams’ past Bountygate suspension and if he can ensure that culture does not come to Cleveland:

“Oh, we have had conversations about it, but I think that is behind him. You said it – that was from years ago. Obviously, he has already paid the price for that. I think that is behind him as well. We will not be having a Bountygate situation in Cleveland. We are here to try to do the best job we can of winning football games and putting the best football team that we can out on the football field.”

On how much developing the Browns’ young talent on defense factored into the decision to hire Williams:

“Everything factored in. I looked at it all. I looked at the players, the coaches, schematically and everything. It was not a fly by night decision. This was really thought out, and it was tough. A lot of coaches are having some downtime right now. I did not have any downtime. I spent my time trying to figure out what is the best way to get this organization and to create the championship culture and get to winning as fast as we could. This is the decision I have come up with. I feel very comfortable in that, and I think it is the right thing for our organization and our football team.”

On if [censored] new defensive staff, but I am going to allow him to bring some guys who I think are going to help sell the message of what we are trying to create on defense. He is going to interview guys, and we are going to kind of go from there. Will there be changes? Yeah, there will probably be some changes. That is all part of it, too.”

On if the Browns will now run a 4-3 base defense:

“It is safe to say we are going to be what we think is best to help our football team be as good as we need to be on defense. Gregg comes from a lot of different backgrounds. He comes from a 4-3 system. He comes from a 3-4 system. He has done a little bit of it all. We need to look at our personnel and see where we are and find out what is best to get our men to play the best we can get them to play.”

On his favorite part of Williams’ defense:

“They are very aggressive and attacking. They make you go the long, hard route to score touchdowns. That is what playing football in the National Football League is all about. His defenses have demonstrated that they tackle well and that the ball is not thrown over their head big time. In order to be a really good defense, the characteristics I just mentioned, you have to have.”

On if Williams will be able to get more production from younger Browns players:

“The plan is to improve these players every way that we can. I would hope that our young players do take the next jump next year and become huge contributing members to our football team. As I said, we are going to put other players on this football team who as well need to be developed and placed within our system and play extremely well and play extremely hard. That is what I am chasing. I have a vision of what I want our defense to play like and look like, and I am going to get that. That is what I am looking forward to.”

On if the Browns will retain the rest of the coaching staff:

“I am still looking at everything to be very honest with you. I am not done [evaluating]. This is a thorough evaluation of our staff. I am going to do this brick by brick in how we have to do this and put this thing together. Everybody kind of knows where they are and where I am. If you are asking will there be more changes as we move forward, yeah, there could potentially be more changes. There could be more changes because guys have better opportunities. There could be more changes because I think something is going to improve us and make us better. When I set out to take this job, I told you my expectation was I was going to win here, and I am going to win here. In order to do that, we have to and I have to make some tough decisions as we move forward as to what is best for our football team. It is not personal. This is the business side of it. It is a hard side of it, and I get that. I have been through it before as an assistant coach and as a head coach so I know what that is like, but at the same time, I think all of us within this profession get it because at the end of the day, this is truly about winning. It is not about anything else. It is about winning. It is what it is going to take for us to become the type of organization that we want to be. To me, you have to have vision, you have to have support when you get ready to make decisions and then you have to execute the decisions you have decided to make. I do get it. Those decisions need to come out right. I do get that. I want you guys to all know that. These decisions need to come out right. Those are the decisions and the chances you have to take in this profession.”

On if he will continue to call the Browns’ offensive plays, even if staff changes are made:

“Yes, I will. I don’t know why I would not. Until I get this organization where I need it to be, I need to continue to do what I think I have done in the past to play winning football. Obviously, we didn’t do it as well this past year. Trust me, I have looked at myself, too. Hue Jackson has to get better as well as anybody has to get better. I don’t run from that. I am not taking it off my head. I get how all of this works. I have been through these things before, and I know what we have to get done. I can see it. I just have to go make it happen.”

http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/arti...25-0011545da5e1

I think this pretty much sums it up. Hue was not happy with Horton, at all. Which is surprising some what because if your boss is not happy with you, you try to change to the betterment for your Team. I think he did try the last 2 games but by then it was to little to late. He pretty much thumb his nose at Hue most of the year and now its pay back time.

What makes me really happy about this transcript is that it further solidifies my belief that Hue IS the man in charge, has the necessary authority to fulfill his Vision, and puts to bed the conspiracy theories that the Harvard Boys are doing whatever the hell they want when they want to satisfy their egos with a complete disregard for what's best for the team.

And for those of whom Bountygate has some kind of relevance.... pfft is what I say. Or sound. That was several years ago, he paid the penalty, and if you don't think that kind of thing still goes on, I direct you o the Steelers. Looking past how they've cheap shotted OUR QB's, last year it was a Steeler's cheap shot that took Dalton out on their verge of what looked to be a promising playoff run, and I just watched today where Matt Moore took a shot to the chin when the Dolphins started to gain some momentum.

I think that is in accordance with the way most of us believe...

Yeah, but up until recently there wasn't a whole lot that even those of us who have believed this that we could point to that would support our position. Also as I mentioned to Vers a couple days ago, I think that even those who weren't buying macs version of what has been going on Berea underestimated just how much Hue is driving this thing.

A case against hiring Williams....

Cleveland’s hiring of Gregg Williams is confusing for multiple reasons\

So much for continuity in Cleveland.

A year after Browns coach Hue Jackson embraced defensive coordinator at his 3-4 defense, the Browns will implement a 4-3 system under Gregg Williams. For that reason alone, the decision to ditch Horton for Williams makes little sense.

“I know what it looks like and I know what it feels like for everybody here,” Jackson told reporters on Sunday. “‘Here are the Browns again changing out.’ But it is not about that. I am going to say it again, it is about trying to be the best we can be everywhere. I get what it feels like to everybody and I respect that, but at the same time, I think everybody would be disappointed in me if I did not as the leader make tough decisions that I think are going to get us to where we want to go to. It goes both ways so you are kind of damned if you do and damned if you don’t. I do not worry about that. I am worried about getting this organization, this football team and this coaching staff as good as I can get it, and I think that is my charge.”

Still, moving from a 3-4 to a 4-3 is no small project, especially not for a team that is making a big deal out of not changing anything. More (and different) defensive lineman are needed. Fewer (and different) linebackers are needed. Sure, some outside linebackers in a 3-4 can become defensive ends in a 4-3, and some inside linebackers in a 3-4 can become outside linebackers in a 4-3 and some defensive ends in a 3-4 can become defensive tackles in a 4-3. But it’s hardly smooth, and it’s never easy.

If the Browns were going to dump Horton, why not replace him with a 3-4 defensive coordinator? (A fairly good one is available in Denver.)

Making the move even more confusing is Williams’ Bountygate baggage, which extends beyond the scandal that undermined the 2009 playoff run in New Orleans to the cartoonish “kill the head” comments from the night before a Saints-49ers divisional round game in early 2012. Regarded as damaged goods after serving a one-year suspension (and testifying against players as part of the league’s effort to enforce suspensions that former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue eventually scrapped), Williams eventually found work with his longtime friend Jeff Fisher.

Now Williams becomes the defensive coordinator in Cleveland, as if his pattern of misconduct (which possibly traced to every prior stop as a defensive coordinator and head coach) never even happened.

Given where the Browns currently are and where they hope to eventually be, either dynamic would seem odd. Combining the two into one fell swoop for a franchise supposedly obsessed with consistency makes no sense.

“At the end of the day, the whole buck stops with me,” Jackson said Sunday. But the thing is he’s staying and Horton is going.

If nothing else, the move shows that Jackson realizes that another 1-15 season will result in a franchise supposedly obsessed with continuity making even more changes. The real question is whether Williams, whose defense didn’t do much to keep Fisher from getting fired, will make a difference.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/201...ltiple-reasons/

j/c:

I don't think it is fair to act like Williams is the devil because of Bountygate.

I just think that firing coaches after just one year when the team is obviously lacking in talent is counter-productive.

Do you think one more year of "counter productive" would be the answer? I don't. The sooner we get this fixed the better, dont you think?

Or to put it another way, If you bought 4 new tires and 1 of them had a slow leak, would you replaced it now or wait another year because it was still new? I can't see waiting another year when you know changes have to be made.

Watching Hard Knocks this summer turned me down to Williams. I'm not a pacifist or anything, but his language was too over the top. As a player, I wouldn't respond to it.

There's a time and place to use that as motivation, but it was constant.

Williams's language is probably mild compared to many other coaches.

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/01/09/nfl-wild-card-weekend-playoffs-steelers-packers-peter-king

I've been in locker rooms my entire life. (Yes, including some professional teams ... in casual times too) ... That's not mild. It's on the severe end of the spectrum.

I think it is a good move also. Our D did not play well And Hue felt he had to make a change from what I have read. Horton's D's were not good both times he coached here. Change was needed going forward. Maybe with Williams our D will finally develop an attitude and personality.

Probably on par with what most kids hear everyday at school... I'm not big on the overuse of foul language but it's common English for most of these kids now days.

Just win baby.

And probably a lot less verbally aggressive than cooking alongside Gordon Ramsey!

And it's about damn time.

Interesting that was your takeaway. Mine was his constant reinforcement of what they were trying to accomplish on defense, the continual teaching of scheme and technique, the calling out and accountability of mistakes and mental errors, the one on one instruction the players received, the stated philosophy that if one player couldn't get the job done he'd find one who could, and the continual reminders to stay tough and play tough both mentally and physically. But yeah, he said some bad words.

Hue made it clear. He wants people to get tackled. It's refreshing to know he was as upset by the poor tackling as I was.

Good thing our training camp was so tough. Remember when Pettine was the head coach and we had "Camp Cupcake" and the tackling was horrible.