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Friday evening, Alex Marvez of the Sporting News reported that the Cleveland Browns are planning to “make a change at defensive coordinator.” More specifically, Ray Horton would be out, and Gregg Williams would be in.
Source tells @sn_nfl that @Browns making change at defensive coordinator. Offered job to Gregg Williams; Wade Phillips also contacted
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 6, 2017
If Horton is let go, it would be the second time he’s only had a one-year stint with the club. He was let out of his contract with the Tennessee Titans last year so he could join Ray Horton’s staff. However, Marvez also says that Horton was Hue Jackson’s second choice in 2016 — he originally wanted Vance Joseph, who opted to join the Miami Dolphins instead.
Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer says that Horton has not yet been fired, but that it could happen soon, along with a few other staff changes (presumably on the defensive side of the club). She specifically notes that run game coordinator Kirby Wilson is safe.
Marvez says that the Browns have given Williams until Monday to accept their offer.
Source tells @sn_nfl that @RamsNFL Gregg Williams has until Monday to decide whether he wants to accept @Browns DC job. Tick. Tick. Tick.
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 6, 2017
Williams has had a lot of coaching stints in the NFL, including one head coaching stint with the Bills from 2001-2003. Since then, he's a defensive coordinator with the Redskins, Jaguars, Saints (bounty-gate!), and then the Rams on two different occasions.
Williams coaches an aggressive 4-3 defense (although nickel defense is heavily used by most teams as the base defense these days). You can read more about his style here.
What do you think, Browns fans? Is it better to stick with the continuity of Horton, or have you seen enough from his two stints and would rather get a guy like Williams?