[LitlBuck]

I would love for the Browns to go to this type of defense if for no other reason that it was named for an Ohio State Buckeye In addition, it would just be a change from what we have been seeing that what we have been seeing has not been very good.

Cleveland.com

NFL Insider: Mangini, Rob Ryan want the Cleveland Browns' defense to have a '46' look
by Tony Grossi/Plain Dealer Reporter
Saturday June 20, 2009, 7:43 PM

"His defense changed everything," Parcells said during a visit when Bill Belichick, his protege, first took over as Browns coach.

Ryan's "46" defense of the Chicago Bears bludgeoned foes in the 1980s with relentless pressure on running and passing downs. Ryan's defense might have been the most dominant the NFL has ever seen.

The 46 name came from the jersey number of hard-hitting safety Doug Plank, who lined up close to the line of scrimmage and played with the reckless abandon Ryan sought from the entire unit. Plank was the so-called eighth man in the (tackle) box. On any given down it was possible that all eight players -- four linemen, three linebackers and Plank -- would rush the passer or the ball-carrier.

The 46 is synonymous with the Ryan coaching name. And now, Rob Ryan, Eric Mangini's defensive coordinator, will try to incorporate a version of the 46 with the Browns.

It won't be the Browns' base defense, but Ryan is putting it into the overall package.

"Really, the 46 was designed as a nickel defense," Ryan said. "It wasn't really the base of my father, either. It just started stopping everything so it became a base."

Without getting too technical, the 46 attempts to confuse and swallow quarterbacks with its eight-man front. It features four down linemen, three linebackers and a safety close to the line of scrimmage. The two outside linebackers may overload the same side.

Continued