Is Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton’s job in jeopardy?
No, no, no, says head coach Hue Jackson.
But is it that Jackson is simply protecting his guy?
No, no, no, it’s not just that. It’s that Horton’s job is really not in jeopardy, and should not be in jeopardy. In fact, saying that, or even just thinking that, is preposterous. It is absolutely ridiculous.
Horton is a good football man. He has a good football mind. He understands defense. He can connect with players. He is a good defensive coordinator.
So if all that’s true, then, why is this defense struggling so much?
Because so many players are so young and so inexperienced. Is that so? Yes, that’s so. But we keep repeating it because so many have forgotten this so many times.
As such, what’s happening is hardly a surprise. We knew this was coming. If you didn’t, then you should have. Indeed, it’s the freight train that has been bearing down on the Browns since they decided eary in the offseason to strip this thing down to the bare walls and build it back up again, piece by piece. It is a painstaking, excruciating process, to be sure. It is not fun, or pleasant, or easy or anything positive. But it is a must. It is the right way to go.
As we’ve said here any number of times, the Browns should have done this long ago instead of implementing these continual rebuilding tweaks every year that accomplished nothing. Instead of dipping your toe into the water and then keeping it there forever, just jump in and get it all over with in one fell swoop. Take the pain all at once as opposed to absorbing it drip by drip over a long period of time.
Now, if this defense is struggling like this in early November next season, then yeah, something is terribly wrong. But not right now.
