BU54

Browns fire defensive coordinator Todd Grantham
Friday, January 11, 2008


BEREA, Ohio (AP) Browns defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, once considered a possible successor to coach Romeo Crennel, was fired on Friday after Cleveland finished the season with one of the league's worst defenses.

Grantham's dismissal was a surprise, coming just months after the fiery 41-year-old signed a two-year contract extension.

But his stock steadily plummeted as the Browns' defense struggled almost the entire season before ending up ranked 30th overall. The Browns apparently felt Grantham wasn't getting the most from his players and decided to part ways.

The team put out a short statement announcing that Grantham "will not be retained for the 2008 season."

"Todd has worked extremely hard during his three seasons with the Browns," Crennel said in a statement. "Following our discussions after the season, it was decided that it was in the best interests of the organization to move in a different direction."

Crennel said a decision "will be forthcoming" on a replacement for Grantham, who was a finalist for Michigan State's job last year. Grantham was Houston's defensive line coach before he was hired by the Browns.

Grantham's third season with the Browns was worse than his first two, when his unit managed to keep Cleveland in games despite a shaky offense.

In 2007, Cleveland's defense gave up 382 points and allowed 359.6 yards per game -- both increases from '06. The Browns were a one-sided team, going 10-6 this season with an explosive, score-from-anywhere offense.

Last season, the Browns' defense ranked 15th in pass defense despite numerous injuries to their secondary. In his first season, Grantham helped Crennel break in a new 3-4 scheme and the Browns finished first in the AFC in red-zone defense, fourth in the league in pass defense and tied for 16th overall.

But despite an upgrade in personnel through free agency and the draft, the Browns' defense never improved at stopping the run during Grantham's tenure. Cleveland ranked 30th against the run in 2005, 29th in 2006 and 27th this season.

Grantham also worked as Indianapolis' defensive line coach from 1999-2001.

Earlier this week, Browns general manager Phil Savage said the club would begin talks with Crennel's agent, Joe Linta, about a contract extension for the coach, who is 20-28 in three seasons with Cleveland.

Also, the Browns rewarded offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski with a two-year extension through the 2011 season.

LINK
http://www.theredzone.org/absolutenm...d=465&zoneid=1

__________________
Bears always have and always will need a quarterback!! But not a MLB.


10-7-07 Bears 27,Packers 20
12-23-07 Bears 35, Packers 7
Then Brett Favre Retired...

BU54

Browns promote Mel Tucker to defensive coordinator
Saturday, January 12, 2008


BEREA, Ohio (AP) Mel Tucker, Cleveland's defensive backs coach the past three seasons, is the club's new defensive coordinator, replacing Todd Grantham, who was fired by the Browns on Friday.

Tucker also received a two-year contract extension through the 2010 season.

"We are excited to have Mel as our defensive coordinator," coach Romeo Crennel said in a statement. "He has a football plan, life plan, coaches the fundamentals and relates well with the players. I believe he will be successful in this new role."

The 36-year-old Tucker inherits a defense that could look radically different at the start of the 2008 season. The Browns are expected to focus on fixing their porous defense during free agency and in April's draft.

Cleveland's defense was among the NFL's poorest in 2007. The Browns finished the season ranked 30th in overall defense, allowing 5,753 yards -- fifth most in club history -- and 382 points.

"I'm looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead and I'm confident with hard work we can improve our defense," said Tucker, who left on a family vacation to Mexico on Saturday. "We have a great group of players on this team and my familiarity with them will be an asset."

Grantham's dismissal was a surprise since Cleveland's defense had shown improvement down the stretch, and it was Cleveland's offense, not the defense, which failed to deliver in a crucial loss at Cincinnati on Dec. 23 than ended up costing the Browns a playoff spot.

A Cleveland native, Tucker was an assistant defensive coach at Ohio State from 2001-04 before joining Crennel's staff in Cleveland.

In his first year, the Browns ranked fourth in the league in pass defense. In 2006, Cleveland's secondary was ravaged by injuries but managed to rank 15th despite the loss of starters Gary Baxter and Daylon McCutcheon to injuries.

The Browns had trouble defending the pass this past season, allowing 29 TD passes. But Cleveland's secondary continued to get better under Tucker with rookie cornerback Eric Wright, cornerback Leigh Bodden and safety Sean Jones, in particular, showing future promise.

Also, rookie cornerback Brandon McDonald came on late in the year to contribute.

Tucker was also an assistant coach at LSU and Miami of Ohio. He played four seasons at Wisconsin before beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Nick Saban at Michigan State in 1997.

LINK
http://www.theredzone.org/absolutenm...d=467&zoneid=1

__________________
Bears always have and always will need a quarterback!! But not a MLB.


10-7-07 Bears 27,Packers 20
12-23-07 Bears 35, Packers 7
Then Brett Favre Retired...