Chudzinski was the offensive coordinator for the last winning season for the Browns in 2007 and was extended with a long term contract for the 10-6 Browns.
Chudzinski was relieved of his job after the following season that saw the sweep (sound familiar) that Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage removed in favor of the Eric Mangini regime.Since leaving Cleveland, Chudzinski worked for the Chargers before moving to Carolina as the offensive coordinator the last two seasons.
I do not have a real problem with the hire, considering the available applicants, there really was no standout candidate.
I liked Ken Whisenhunt, but not enough to stamp my feet and pout about missing him and none of the others stood out either.
Chudzinski was a good coordinator in Cleveland and the work that he did with power-armed Derek Anderson makes me think that perhaps he can bring something out of the similar tools of Brandon Weeden.
Chudzinski was a reasonable talented caller of plays, which means after Pat Shurmur anyone was going to look good in hindsight.
It looks like the Browns are going to bring Norv Turner in as the Browns offensive coordinator and likely play-caller to aid in the learning curve for the first-time head coach.
This makes lots of sense to me as that is what Pat Shurmur never seemed to grasp-calling the plays and running a team is a tough task for anyone, let alone an inexperienced coach.
For all the flaws of Norv Turner as a head coach and I have brayed loudly about his shortcomings in that role in the past, but allow me to say this-Norv Turner is one of the best coordinators of my generation, and bringing him to Cleveland is a huge grab for the organization.
Add that to Turner's rapport with QB's and the Browns should know if they can win with Brandon Weeden, Colt McCoy or if they need to obtain a new passer from another venue.
I would have liked to have seen Dick Jauron retained as defensive coordinator, but it appears that will not happen.
I would prefer the 4-3 defense continue to be run, as the teams' defensive strength is along the defensive line, although I would love to see another pass rushing end opposite Jabaal Sheard (the draft strength appears to be at DE, so there is a chance a trade down could happen to get back a second-round pick).
The linebackers are a position of need in the 4-3 alignment, let alone for the 3-4, so I believe that hiring someone with a 4-3 preference would shorten the curve to contention.
The bigger issue with me is not the gamble on Chudzinski, it is more about the embarrassment of promising the moon and producing a rock.
The press conference of Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner that was filled with so much braggadocio has made the franchise look bad again.
This was supposed to be a fresh start, but yet it appears to be the same old Browns from the outside looking in.
The first major hire from Haslam/Banner is a risk, the result will go a long way in seeing how the front office is looked at for a long time.....
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