CLEVELAND, Ohio — Mike Rutenberg came to Cleveland with a slightly different defensive philosophy than his predecessor, Jim Schwartz. Schwartz wanted to line up, attack and allow his defensive line to create problems. Rutenberg still wants his defense to be aggressive, but he creates that aggression in different ways.
He disguises coverages, rotates from two-high hats to one-high looks, and brings pressure from multiple levels of the defense. He will send linebackers, bring simulated pressures and use constant movement up front with tackle-tackle and tackle-end stunts. He is making his players think, but also allowing them to play at 100 miles per hour.