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Related: About this forumRay Horton released from Cardinals, hired to be Browns DC
The word "former" can now be put in front of Ray Horton's job title of Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator.
Horton confirmed via text that the team had officially released him from his contract, which ran through 2013. He was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Browns Friday.
Bruce Arians, named Cardinals coach on Thursday night, has not commented about his plans for a staff.
NFL sources have indicated that Arians is expected to try to hire Todd Bowles, a Philadelphia Eagles assistant who coordinated their defense over the second half of the 2012 season.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/20130118ray-horton-out-as-arizona-cardinals-defensive-coordinator.html
This makes absolutely no sense. Browns fans, you got a hell of a DC.
On edit - This has to be 2x good news for Auggie. First, the Cards got rid of the DC that gave them their best D since the Ryan family coached there. Second, he is going to be the DC of his other favorite team, the Browns.
Browns name Horton defensive coordinator
Here are three reasons why I like the addition of Horton:
Cleveland gets a coordinator who knows how to make quarterbacks feel uncomfortable. In 2012, Horton's second year as the Arizona defensive coordinator, the Cardinals held quarterbacks to a 54.3 percent completion rate (third-best in the NFL) and picked off 22 passes (second-best in the league) while allowing 20 touchdowns. Matthew Stafford, Tom Brady, Matt Ryan and Russell Wilson combined for three touchdowns, 11 picks and a 23.4 QBR score against Arizona.\
The Browns get a coordinator who is familiar with the style of play in the AFC North. Horton spent seven seasons (2004-10) as the defensive backs/assistant defensive backs coach with the Steelers. During his time there, he helped with the development of Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.
Cleveland gets a coach who is extremely motivated. Horton, who was considered a top head coaching candidate in Arizona, reportedly had a heated exchange with new Cardinals general manager Steve Keim when he found out that Bruce Arians got the job. Horton felt like he deserved that job after paying his dues as an assistant. Horton was interviewed for the Browns head coaching opening before they hired Chudzinski.
One of the knocks on Horton is his attitude. According to NFC West blogger Mike Sando, Horton is a bit of a loose cannon, the way Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Todd Haley has sometimes been. Some of the things Horton says publicly suggest he thinks he's smarter than everyone else.
http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/63955/browns-name-horton-defensive-coordinator
Auggie
(31,130 posts)I'm surprised at their selection of V.P. / Director of Player Personnel: Michael Lombardi. Last five years he's been in the broadcast booth. Lots of history here: Lombardi and Bill Belichick released Bernie Kosar in 1993.
More on the Lombardi hire: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8856520/cleveland-browns-name-mike-lombardi-vice-president-player-personnel