Todd Monken has made a very favorable impression as the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns. His demanding approach and attention to detail are seen as something the franchise sorely needed after six seasons under Kevin Stefanski.
However, there is an assistant on Monken’s staff who has arguably bigger shoes to fill. New defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg is taking over for Jim Schwartz, who had the Browns ranked among the best teams in the NFL on his side of the ball.
Fortunately, Rutenberg looks to have received a positive reception from his players, some of whom were vocal in their disappointment with Schwartz’s resignation after he was passed over for Monken in the head coaching search. It could have been a difficult situation, but that does not seem to be the case.
Browns defender Easton Mascarenas-Arnold recently used four words to describe Rutenberg, and they reflect positively on the 44-year-old first-time coordinator.
“Energetic, loving, definitely caring,” Mascarenas-Arnold said. “He’s a very heavily players coach. He seems more of a companion to us rather than just above us, if that makes sense. He is my coach, so at the end of the day, I do what he says, and what he tells me I listen to. But behind closed doors, that’s more where he shows the companionship and camaraderie between player and coach.”
It may be a different personal approach by Rutenberg compared to the one 60-year-old Schwartz took with the Browns. But the former Atlanta Falcons defensive pass game coordinator takes the same approach on the field, with a scheme very similar to the one Schwartz used in Cleveland.
As an undrafted free agent last season, Mascarenas-Arnold played in 16 games as a rookie, with almost all of his snaps on special teams. Perhaps he sees an opportunity for a bigger role at linebacker under Rutenberg, and the coach may see his potential in return.
With Winston Reid slated to be the third starter alongside Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams, Mascarenas-Arnold could push for some additional playing time. At 5-foot-11, 227 pounds, he could also get some time in the expected three-safety sets Rutenberg is likely to employ.
The Browns’ defense has reportedly been well ahead of their offense during training camp so far. That could be due to their significant talent, as well as the growing pains the offense is going through learning Monken’s new offense.
If Rutenberg can keep Cleveland’s defense at its elite level, there are likely to be even more kind words heading his way from outside the organization as well.
NEXT: Browns Position Group Is Dealing With A Rash Of Injuries
