@jax said:

Sad thing is, we can only go up ?

Certainly true of the offense.  And to a point, the ST (the actual kicking of the ball was good).  But the first time DC has got a pretty high bar he's gotta jump over.

@dutch-oven said:

We got a first time head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator. 

Should be interesting. 

Sad thing is, we can only go up ?

@orion said:

When you consider the first time defensive coordinator, it certainly seems like a good idea.

We got a first time head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator. 

Should be interesting. 

@bob806 said:

This may be a great hire.

When you consider the first time defensive coordinator, it certainly seems like a good idea.

@orion said:

 No team had a winning record however.  

Hmmm....well perhaps it's like George Costanza. He needs to do the opposite of what he thinks he should do?

@bob806 said:

This may be a great hire.

The Browns desperately need "football guys," I don't care how old he is. 

Well, he brings a shit ton of defensive experience.  He's held this position with various teams for the last 7 years.  No team had a winning record however.  

@orion said:

Well, he's got the right title, 'Senior'.   

This may be a great hire.

The Browns desperately need "football guys," I don't care how old he is. 

With some critical members of Schwartz’s staff staying on board, it could help Rutenberg get off to a good start with the returning players. Not only could it ease some potential lingering hard feelings, but it could also speed up the transition process, especially if he uses a lot of the same scheme.

Safeties coach Ephraim Banda was identified as a finalist for the job during the search process that ultimately led to Rutenberg’s hiring. Yet, instead of leaving the organization after being passed over, Banda will remain in Cleveland.

According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, the Browns assistant coach is taking on a new role, as he is being promoted to defensive passing game coordinator.

“The Browns are promoting safeties coach Ephraim Banda to pass game coordinator, per source. Banda interviewed this cycle for several defensive coordinator jobs, including with the [New England] Patriots. But he’ll stay in Cleveland as a top assistant to new DC Mike Rutenberg,” Pelissero wrote on X.

@syd said:

never heard of her, was she the chick that liked cigars put into her private parts ?

????

@syd said:

never heard of her, was she the chick that liked cigars put into her private parts ?

Well played. 

@tiamat63 said:

.... intentional Lebowski? 

never heard of her, was she the chick that liked cigars put into her private parts ?

@syd said:

ya that's like your opining man, 

.... intentional Lebowski? 

@tiamat63 said:

 I've seen this dude come across my twitter.  Anything in depth he basically parrots & spits it back out from some other accounts that actually have prominent and original info. 

ya that's like your opining man, I believe you probably have it backwards

@syd said:

 I've seen this dude come across my twitter.  Anything in depth he basically parrots & spits it back out from some other accounts that actually have prominent and original info. 

@orion said:

He has one season as a coordinator.  Last season.  Passing game coordinator.

edit and add:  Before that he was a LB'ers coach.  So now I'm half expecting to hear that Jason Tarver packed up his office and left in a huff...

edit and add:  Before that he was a LB'ers coach.  So now I'm half expecting to hear that Jason Tarver packed up his office and left in a huff...

@orion said:

In his bio, he's certainly got a lot of experience at being an assistant something-or-other.

@nickers said:

Falcons played a 3-4 base defense

Terms are a bit antiquated anymore with 43 and 34 and can be incredibly similar with simple shifts.

The key is that it's going to be a 1 gap, upfield aggressive defense much like how the Dirty Birds were this year.  Their group was fun to watch at times.

@nickers said:

and cover 3 in nickel. How is this keeping the same scheme?

Browns played a league high 40% of their snaps in C1 through week 8.  

Falcons were 5th in cover 3 with 42% of their snaps in C3 through week 8.

Both are based on single high structures - and there's the rub.  Especially in a league that has countered offensive trends from single high by developing more cut calls and working in things like NTT.  Being that the pole runner can either be 2nd level or confused a QB's depth by being 3rd level and sitting MOFC.

Also incredibly similar numbers on. 

"base" personnel % use

nickel & dime personnel % use         

Stunt rates are pretty comparable as well.  

The main difference was in 3rd down blitz rates.  ATL this past season trended closer towards how Schwartz called defenses his first couple years in CLE.    I haven't watched enough of the Falcons yet to give you reasons 'why' either of design or necessity.    But most coaches won't surrender numbers back end unless they have to or they're just insane.   Brian Flores checks both of those boxes lol