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Saints to hire former Browns and Broncos DC Joe Woods

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ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the New Orleans Saints are expected to hire former Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Woods for the same position; Woods interviewed with New Orleans last week after the team moved on from co-defensive coordinators Ryan Nielsen and Kris Richard. He was dismissed from Cleveland after a three-year run in which the Browns defense ranked 20th, 13th, and 21st in points allowed and 14th, 5th, and 17th in yards allowed. Woods previously worked as a defensive assistant on Dennis Allen’s 2014 Raiders team.

So what will Woods’ role be with the Saints? NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill says they will continue to run Allen’s scheme, and that he’ll remain the defensive play caller with Woods serving as his “top assistant” while spending a lot of time with the secondary. Woods has often coached defensive backs throughout his career so it makes sense for him to replace Richard in that space.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds that Saints assistant coach Cory Robinson is a free agent after his contract expired. He ran the defensive backs room last year and recently coached safety prospects at the Senior Bowl, so if he doesn’t return that’s another job Woods could fill, or he could bring in his own assistant. The Saints may also choose to re-sign Robinson. Stay tuned for updates.

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