The Browns’ recent hiring of Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator?

That’s a great move, according to everybody! He’s very well-known for knowing defense very well.

The Browns’ recent hiring of Ray “Bubba” Ventrone as special teams coordinator?

That’s a great move, too, according to everybody! He’s very well-known for knowing special teams very well.

The Browns’ recent promotion of Ben Bloom to defensive line coach?

I’m not sure at all that that is a great move, a good move or even just an iffy mood, or anything remotely close to it. In fact, if I had to be brutally honest in describing it, I would say it’s a horrible move. Erecting a statue of Art Modell outside FirstEnergy Stadium might be a better idea. That’s how crummy it is.

I have nothing against Bloom, the man. It’s just that, with albeit a small sample size, I don’t think much of him as a coach. He has served the last two seasons as defensive running game coordinator. The Browns were terrible against the run last season, especially with plays up the middle. The tackles – and their tackling – might have been the worst in Browns history. Tackle is the most important position in Schwartz’s defensive scheme. Putting someone like that in charge of the defensive line almost seems as if the Browns — and particularly Schwartz – are trying to exacerbate last season’s nightmare.

That obviously was not their intent, but I really, truly question the thinking behind this move.

In the end, though, I thoroughly trust Schwartz that he knows what he’s doing, so, then, I will accept it – at least for the time being — on blind faith.

But if it turns out to be a disaster, remember where you read it first.

Steve King