New Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton confirmed on Thursday that the Browns will switch to a 3-4 defense next season -- the same 3-4 defense that Horton ran as the defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals.
Browns defense will use 3-4 scheme, Ray Horton says
The Cleveland Browns will switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme under new defensive coordinator Ray Horton.
Christian Petersen
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Cleveland’s defense the past two seasons has been run out of a 4-3 front, but Horton told listeners during an interview with XTRA Sports 910 AM (Arizona) that the Browns will run a 3-4 -- and it won’t be a hybrid defense, either.
“It won’t be a hybrid, not unless we’re playing golf,” Horton, who was hired Jan. 18, quipped. “It’ll be a 3-4. It’ll be the same defense we ran here [in Arizona].”
Arizona boasted one of the top passing defenses in the league under Horton. Opposing quarterbacks threw for just 200.8 yards per game -- fifth-best in the NFL. Arizona, however, struggled against the run in 2012, allowing opponents to rush for 137 yards per game -- No. 28 in the NFL.
Last season, Cleveland’s defense allowed 245.2 yards per game passing (No. 25 in the NFL), and 118.6 rushing yards per game (No. 19 in the NFL). Horton certainly believes his 3-4 will help one of the worst defenses in the league.
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