With Holmgren Onboard, What Will Become of the Browns' 3-4 Defense?

Mike Holmgren has one of the biggest challenges ahead of him in rebuilding the Cleveland Browns into a contender in the NFL.

One of the biggest questions surrounds the Browns' current 3-4 defensive scheme and whether Holmgren will keep it, even though all of the teams he has coached have used a 4-3 defensive scheme.

Best guess is that in 2010 the Browns will switch back into the 4-3, which they used the first six years of their rebirth in 1999-2004.

Current coach Eric Mangini is from the Bill Parcells tree of running a 3-4 defense, and whether or not he can cope with a transition into a 4-3 may have a lot of weight on what Holmgren's decision regarding Mangini's future will be with the team.

Holmgren has said that since he was also a coach he understands that a coach needs more than one season to change a team and fully implement his plan, but, if a switch to 4-3 cannot be integrated into Mangini's plan, then he might be shown the door.

Many football experts and fans alike have said that the Browns' current defensive personnel better suits a 4-3 defense, so a transition may not be that difficult.

But you also have to take into consideration Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan's job security, too.

Ryan was with the Oakland Raiders in 2008, where he ran a 4-3 defense so his job may be safe, but with a new front office power, like Holmgren at the helm, there is no real job security for most of the coaches on the team.

Unless Holmgren really thinks he can combine his plan and vision with what Mangini and his staff have been trying to accomplish this season.

If this change were to occur, there would be players who will not make the team and wind up getting cut since their specialty is more in a 3-4 defense.

What does that mean for players like linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, who used to be a defensive end in college, but has played in the NFL as a outside linebacker?

Would Wimbley be able to switch back over to a three-point stance?

There will be many questions in the coming weeks and months, now that Holmgren is in charge, and it will be very interesting to see all of Holmgren's moves unfold as the Browns go through the offseason.

(Article also posted on Dawg Scooper)