Browns could target Ravens Don Martindale for Defensive Coordinator per Albert Breer

Nov 25, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach Don Martindale during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns are expected to name Bills linebackers coach Jim O’Neil as their defensive coordinator.  However, if the Bills prevent that from happening, the next option could be Don ‘Wink’ Martindale, the inside linebackers coach of the Baltimore Ravens, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network.

The assumption is that with Jim Schwartz in the fold as the defensive coordinator, O’Neil, who has said he wants to go to Cleveland, will be allowed and this is a matter of time.  Martindale, 50, has spent time as a defensive coordinator with the Denver Broncos before ending up in Baltimore.  The Dayton, Ohio native has experience coaching in a hybrid defense in his time with the Ravens.

In addition to being on the all-name team for coaches, Martindale was also part of the Ravens staff that was able to lead the team to the Super Bowl, coaching Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe last year with Daryl Smith and Josh Bynes this year, with the defense appearing to play better in 2013.