Rob Ryan Says Browns Will Use The 46 Defense

Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, the son of the Art Vandelay of the 46 defense, said Wednesday that the Browns will be using that havoc-creating attack as a supplement to their 3-4 base defense. “Really, the 46 was designed as a nickel defense,” Ryan told reporters. “It wasn’t really the base of my father either. It just started stopping everything so it became a base. We definitely run some 46 defense. Eric [Mangini] is a huge fan of the 46.” (Maybe Mangini likes the 46 because it’s also his pants size.) Anyway, Ryan’s comments regarding the 46 defense confirm his other remarks regarding the differences between his defensive system and the one used by former head coach Romeo Crennel, a defensive specialist. “To be honest with you,” Ryan said, “I’m not here to farm anyone else’s land. I’m not sure how things were done here in the past.” Why do we have a feeling that, if Rob Ryan ever becomes a head coach, he’ll be twisting Channing Crowder’s tail, too?