Greg Williams Hired

wargograw

@cainedesoulis said:
I'm going to call it right now that next year we have a top 10 defense in points allowed.

Until after 4 games we don't, and you call for Williams' firing, of course.

LogicIsForSquares

@wargograw said:
Until after 4 games we don't, and you call for Williams' firing, of course.

This haha.

darren15

James Laurinaitis ‏@JLaurinaitis55 8h8 hours ago

Cleveland if you're getting Gregg Williams, you're getting a great leader, amazing coach, and one of my favorite people!! Culture changer!!

Flugel · Jan 7, 2017 422 63View on X

@darren15 said:

Jason La Canfora ‏@JasonLaCanfora 17m17 minutes ago

The Browns have secured Gregg Williams to be their next defensive coordinator. Done deal. Wholesale changes coming to defensive staff

Nice! He's been a DC of 2 different SB Teams (TN & New Orleans).

Flugel

Here's some of Wikipedia's write-up I cut and pasted regarding his coaching experience:

Early career

Gregg Williams was a head coach for the Class 5 Belton High School Pirate football team in Belton, Missouri. He attended Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) in Kirksville, Missouri. Williams was an assistant coach for the University of Houston under former Redskins head coach, Jack Pardee.

Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans

In 1990 Williams became the Special Teams coach of the Houston Oilers under then defensive coordinator, Buddy Ryan. From 1994–1996, Williams was the linebackers coach for the Oilers. From 1997–2000, Williams was promoted to defensive coordinator of the now Tennessee Titans after the Oilers moved out of Houston. As the defensive coordinator, the Titans led the league in total defense and only gave up 191 points, the third fewest in the NFL since the league adopted the 16-game schedule in 1978. The defense also helped lead the Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV where they lost to the St. Louis Rams.

Head Coach - Buffalo Bills

Williams joined the Buffalo Bills as head coach in 2001 along with new team President and general manager Tom Donahoe. After three seasons in which the team compiled records of 3–13, 8–8, and 6–10 under his leadership, Williams' contract was not renewed after the 2003 season. It is the only head coaching position Williams has held in the NFL.

Washington Redskins

After his release from Buffalo, Williams was at the top of several NFL teams' list for the position of defensive coordinator. Williams quickly signed with the Washington Redskins, the only team with which he interviewed, because Head Coach Joe Gibbs offered him total autonomy over his defensive players and defensive coaching staff. In Washington, with Williams' aggressive defensive scheme, the Redskins' defense ranked third in the NFL in 2004 and ninth in 2005. On January 3, 2006, Williams signed a three-year extension to remain with the Redskins, which made him the highest paid assistant coach in the NFL.

His defense struggled in 2006, at point ranked 30th in the League. However, the 2007 season was a vast improvement for Williams. The defense ranked within the top ten in the NFC, and the team finished 9–7, with a loss in the wildcard round to the Seattle Seahawks. Williams had established a particularly close relationship with 24-year-old free safety Sean Taylor, calling him "the best player [he'd] ever coached." When Taylor was murdered mid-season on November 27, 2007, Williams was deeply affected. In tribute to Taylor, Williams called a defensive play with only ten men for the first play of the Redskins' first game after the tragedy, a November 30, 2007 game against the Buffalo Bills.^[4] For the remainder of the season, Williams ran an inspired defense which performed, along with the rest of the team, to honor Taylor's memory, highlighted by holding star running back Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings to 27 yards on December 23, 2007,^[5] and allowing a franchise-low one yard rushing to the Dallas Cowboys on December 30, 2007, sealing a playoff seed.^[6] After Joe Gibbs retired, Williams was considered to be the most popular candidate to take over as Head Coach of the Washington Redskins. He interviewed four times with team owner Daniel Snyder. However, on January 26, 2008, Williams was fired, along with offensive coordinator Al Saunders, with Jim Zorn ultimately getting the job.^[7]

Jacksonville Jaguars

On February 6, 2008, Williams became the defensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The position was vacated by Mike Smith who was hired to coach the Atlanta Falcons.

New Orleans Saints

Williams was hired by the New Orleans Saints on January 15, 2009. Head coach Sean Payton, who was heavily involved in the effort to recruit Williams to the team, raved about Williams "because he was so impressive and prepared" in his interview. In fact, Williams was so impressive that Payton offered and took a voluntary $250,000 cut in salary to help facilitate his signing with the team. He took over a Saints defense ranked 23rd in the NFL in yards allowed and tied for 26th in points allowed in 2008. Williams' approach yielded immediate results, as the 2009 Saints recorded 35 defensive takeaways, second in the league, and the aggressive defense played an integral role in the Saints' run to their first Super Bowl championship.

However, in the 2010 and 2011 seasons, the defense (although showing statistical improvement in some other categories) failed to repeat its turnover successes.^[8] The Saints were knocked out of the 2011 playoffs in a 36–32 loss to San Francisco, in which the defense played well for most of the game but twice failed to hold a Saints lead during the last four minutes. At that time, the relationship between Williams and Payton deteriorated, with Payton regarding Williams as a "rogue coach". William's departure from the Saints was originally publicized not as a dismissal since his contract was expiring, however Loomis and Payton fired Williams telling him "There's no place for this in this organization or this league" after the NFL informed the Saints that it had reopened its investigation in the illegal bounty fund.^[9] It was widely reported that Williams would leave the Saints to become defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams, under their new head coach Jeff Fisher, for whom Williams had also worked when Fisher was the head coach at Tennessee.^[10]

St. Louis Rams

On February 3, 2012, Williams was formally introduced as the Rams' new defensive coordinator.^[11] A little over a month later, on March 21, Williams would be suspended indefinitely for his role in the Saints bounty scandal^[12] and be subsequently released on January 2, 2013 before ever working a day for the Rams.^[13]

Tennessee Titans

After the NFL reinstated Williams, it was announced of February 7, 2013 that the Titans hired him as a senior assistant coach for its defense.^[14]

Return to St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams

Williams was renamed defensive coordinator for the Rams on February 12, 2014.^[15]

On December 12, 2016, the Los Angeles Rams fired head coach Jeff Fisher. His coaching staff, along with Williams, was released at the end of the season.

ballpeen · Jan 7, 2017 422 63View on X

@darren15 said:

Jason La Canfora ‏@JasonLaCanfora 17m17 minutes ago

The Browns have secured Gregg Williams to be their next defensive coordinator. Done deal. Wholesale changes coming to defensive staff

Good. He may not be able to set bounties any longer, but you know he wants to. I like that.

He is a 4-3 guy. I think that means Garrett or Allen. Again.....good. We can't pass on guys like that because some QB went to Mentor.

TexasAg1969

@cainedesoulis said:
I'm going to call it right now that next year we have a top 10 defense in points allowed.

I might buy that depending upon the draft. If we do another QB squander, it won't happen. If 3 of the top 4 we take are D including 1 & 2, then I'm buying that they get better every week until the become really dominating. Takes time for a D with rooks to really gel.

Flugel

@ballpeen said:

Good. He may not be able to set bounties any longer, but you know he wants to. I like that.

He is a 4-3 guy. I think that means Garrett or Allen. Again.....good. We can't pass on guys like that because some QB went to Mentor.

I hear ya Ballpeen. The idea we're not going to complicate sic em any longer sits a lot better with me. We have a lot of young puppies on our defense to train.If you had puppy you were trying to train - you don't want to name him Stay or "Come here STAY" can get really confusing right? That's what our defense looked like both times we had Horton's defense until the last 2 weeks. Having said that, his zone blitzes left sides of the field or important personnel of an opponent unaccounted for such as Antonio Gates.

To me it doesn't matter that he's a 4-3 guy IF he's experienced enough to master multiple fronts.When BB showed up to NE they were in a 4-3 with Ted Johnson making Pro Bowls at MLB. Countless injuries upfront gave BB no choice but to switch to his comfort zone of a 3-4. BB is a big fan of zone coverages so there's no sides of the field left exposed and vulnerable. Williams has this experience volume to fit situational football.

As for the Bounties, I think a lot of people would be really surprised what has gone on behind closed doors all throughout the league for decades. Not only that, if people think he's the only DC that didn't educate his defense about who's playing hurt or inspiring his players to intimidate, hit hard or knock the opposing QB out of the game - they've missed what's been taught in Pittsburgh since the 70s all the way to James Harrison's head hunting adventures. I'm sure Cincy fans remember the pass by Carson Palmer that put them up 10-0 or 10-3 over Pitt and not because it was a TD. Pittsburgh took a knee and kept it from him. And today, Joey Porter is a Defensive Coach there in case there's any questions...

A lot of people forgot why Turkey Jones needed to return some karma to Pittsburgh. The precedent was set when Jack Lambert hit Sipe way out of bounds long after the whistle to the extent Sipe wouldn't be able to play after that. So, Turkey Jones decided if the officials weren't going to kick players out for that type of play - MY TURN. Now here's the difference. Terry Bradshaw was actually in-the pocket holding onto the football (meaning he was in-bounds before any whistles needed to be sounded). Then came the power slam off the hard surface to remind us Jones double dribbled Bradshaw before he should have been called for traveling while he was galloping with the football he scooped up. That was back when we still owned the rivalry in terms of wins and losses. Not only that, it never mattered how bad this team was while Pittsburgh was winning Superbowls - we used to beat them at least once a year far more frequently than we've done it this side of 1999.

If Greg Williams can bring a Turkey Jones mentality back to this football team - it's going to matter.

gumby73

invite you to go back 2015 week 7 at Rams. re-watched last night. Zombo you posted that our back end never had that "Lay some wood" moments from our DB's & I totally agree. But this game, might be the hardest any of our receivers been hit all game in 2 seasons..

Flugel

@gumby73 said:
invite you to go back 2015 week 7 at Rams. re-watched last night. Zombo you posted that our back end never had that "Lay some wood" moments from our DB's & I totally agree. But that game, might be the hardest any of our receivers been hit all game in 2 seasons..

I think poor Taylor Gabriel got Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome following the bubble screen designed to have the Ethiopian build of Travis Benjamin lead blocking. Gabriel got lit up by a DB that had an unobstructed head of stream. After that game, Gabriel had some drops that were out of character for his reliability.

To be honest, I don't know that Gabriel would have had the season here that he's having in Atlanta. His best football here included Shanahan just like it did in 2016. It also included a lot of Julio Jones on the other side of formation with a first round QB talent like Matt Ryan having an MVP season. Kind of nice to have a QB that can throw you open consistently if needed or find you in the sequence of progression.

CaineDeSoulis

@wargograw said:
Until after 4 games we don't, and you call for Williams' firing, of course.

Except Ray Horton needed firing and it took about 8 games. 4 preseason 4 regular and watching camp to figure that out. Plus of course the 2013 season.

Don't worry war you'll get it right next time

miktoxic

@osiris said:

My guess is they lured Williams with the prospect of having the #1 pick go to defense

been hearing this from a lot of people in here. that's all and good if the pick isn't a bust. then it'll be biz as usual around here.

don't get me wrong. i think the hire is a move in the right direction BUT if everyone thinks that one hire is going to fix what we saw this past season they're nuts.

Harry Buffalo

Zombo said:

Seems like we drafted for the 4-3 last year. Ahead of the curve, finally?

Z

Alot of our OLB in the 3-4 were natural 4-3 DE in college. Plus Meder is more of a typical 4-3 DT.

@calfoxwc said:

Pardone' me for a moment... why is it Garrett if it's a 4-3 base? Allen can do both.

I'm not sold on Garrett's intensity. Allen outshines him in that regard bigtime. Allen is

a wrecking crew by himself - Garrett reminds me of Courtney Brown or Mingo.

just my dumb opinion. But If I was picking, Allen is the guy I'm drafting. He plays violently,

aggressively like Danny Shelton does - same kind of attitude. Not seeing that at all with

Garrett. Allen's speed/quickness is amazing for his size.

I honestly couldn't be mad with either guy. They are saying Garrett, if in a draft with Bosa and Clowney, would be picked ahead of both players. That is the type of ability and ceiling GMs are seeing. But Allen is also a freak player, and also #1 player in the draft for PFF, a site based around analytics.

@osiris said:

Connecting some dots here, I think Browns will go with Allen.

- Jim Donovan reported on CBD that Sashi Brown and Co. scouted at Alabama game and they were blown away by Allen.

- Rams with Williams drafted a DT in Aaron Donald in 2014, the same year and shortly after they hired Williams.

- Browns have Nassib and Ogbah who can play as 4-3 DE, making Garrett less necessary.

- Good possibility the Browns will get extended time with Allen coaching the south in senior bowl. Meaning they will get to know him better than Garrett.

My guess is they lured Williams with the prospect of having the #1 pick go to defense and Williams will lure Waufle with the prospect of getting to coach Allen.

I guess you can promise him that you plan to go defense, but I don't think you lure anyone to coach for you by saying we are going to pick player X at this point in the offseason, unless that player X is a Andrew Luck caliber QB. Also outside of Ogbah, who knows if any of our other pass rushers are good. Yes 4-3 DE was the natural position in college for Nassib and Orchard, but who knows if they will even be able to play starting roles.

@miktoxic said:

been hearing this from a lot of people in here. that's all and good if the pick isn't a bust. then it'll be biz as usual around here.

don't get me wrong. i think the hire is a move in the right direction BUT if everyone thinks that one hire is going to fix what we saw this past season they're nuts.

Exactly. Bitch about Horton all you guys want, but he had nothing to work with as a defensive coordinator.

Canton Mike

As usual, I waited to post until I saw this hiring on the Browns' site.

Tough, aggressive, and proven track record with a 4-3. I love it. I think this will be an exciting off season & this certainly is a fine start.

Mike

Canton Dawg

Tony Grossi tweeted. . .

Told Gregg Williams will be bringing assts. Brandon Fisher, Dennard Wilson & Blake Williams to #Browns. Possibly more.

Browns149

Anyone has to be better then Horton.

Tour2ma

Williams works for me...

I don't necessarily see the increased preference for Allen over Garrett in the 4-3 look others do, however. Allen just has the look of a traditional 3-4 DE to me while Garrett with his hand primarily in the dirt as a 4-3 edge guy removes my concerns there. This is the role OAK emphasized for Khalil this season. In his three seasons he's gone from primarily a stand-up OLB to a DE/OLB split to primarily a DE.

For those when a better attuned eye for DL schemes than I have.... I assume Shelton primarily takes an A gap putting Allen over the opposite OG? If so, then I can see Allen as a modern-day Michael Dean Perry aside Danny's James Jones or Bill Johnson.

I will say that Allen's persona would seem to be better aligned with Williams' than Myles the Mild's would be...

Also occurs to me that practicing against Williams' "style" could inject added "nasty" into our OL...

nickers

Good riddence , "Whore-ton"

Tour2ma

@canton-dawg said:

Tony Grossi tweeted. . .

Told Gregg Williams will be bringing assts. Brandon Fisher, Dennard Wilson & Blake Williams to #Browns. Possibly more.

Fischer - Secondary

Wilson - Secondary

Blake Williams - not currently listed with Rams staff, but appears to be Gregg's son, and...

HAMMOND, La. – Former St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Blake Williams has accepted the same position for two-time Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana, Lion head coach Ron Roberts announced on Tuesday.

Williams' hire is pending the approval of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. Williams replaces Karl Scott, now the safeties coach at Louisiana Tech.

"Blake is going to be a tremendous addition to our staff," Roberts commented. "He brings with him a wealth of experience as a coach at the professional level, as well as playing experience from his time at Princeton. Blake shares the same philosophy that we do, so we expect to be very similar on defense in 2015. But, Blake is going to bring a fresh perspective that is going to be a plus for our program."

Williams was brought in as the linebacker coach with the 2012 Rams, before taking over as defensive coordinator for his father, Gregg. Under Williams' tutelage, St. Louis ranked No. 15 in the NFL against both the run and the pass, while also ranking in the top half of the league with 21.8 points per game allowed.

http://www.lionsports.net/news/2015/2/24/FB_0224155208.aspx

lol... another Ivy-leaguer joining the fold...

So he seems to have been "in" while Dad served his indefinite suspension. Maybe the Rams had nepotism issues/rules. However...

PFR seems at odds with the article listing no DC for the 2012 season and Tim Walton as the 2013 before Gregg arrived in 2014.

Clevfan4life

@cainedesoulis said:
I'm going to call it right now that next year we have a top 10 defense in points allowed.

Omg dude stop. It would be his 1st year c'mon. Theres gonna be "alot" of guys leaving cause they dontbfit the 4-3