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Browns hire former Houston Texans defensive line coach

Browns hire former Houston Texans defensive line coach
Jacques Cesaire is heading to Cleveland. Photo by Bob Levey/ Getty Images.

Myles Garrett has got another new coach.

The Cleveland Browns have hired Jacques Cesaire as their defensive line coach to work with Garrett, the favorite to win AP Defensive Player of the Year, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press on Saturday.

Cesaire, who spent the past two seasons in Houston, will replace Ben Bloom. It's possible Bloom will stay with Cleveland in another role, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team is not announcing any changes until coach Kevin Stefanski completes interviews.

NFL Network was first to report the 43-year-old Cesaire's hiring.

Stefanski has filled several vacancies already and could be closing in on a new offensive coordinator.

The Browns have interviewed five candidates, including Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, former Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson.

Stefanski shook up his staff days after the Browns were routed 45-14 by the Texans in the wild-card round of the playoffs. He fired coordinator Alex Van Pelt along with running backs coach Stump Mitchell and chose not to bring back tight ends coach T.C. McCartney.

Cesaire had a hand in Houston's blowout of the Browns as the Texans' defensive front pressured Cleveland quarterback Joe Flacco throughout the game. Flacco threw a pair of pick-6s in the second half.

The Texans chose not to renew Cesaire's contract after the season. In Cleveland, he'll inherit Garrett, the All-Pro who had 14 sacks and his most dominant season since being drafted first overall in 2017. The Browns also will bring back ends Ogbo Okoronkwo and Alex Wright and tackle Dalvin Tomlinson on the league's top-rated defense.

Cesaire played in 125 games from 2003-11 with the San Diego Chargers. He was an assistant line coach with Buffalo in 2020-21.

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The Angels beat the Astros, 9-1. Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images.

José Soriano pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and Logan O'Hoppe hit a pair of two-run shots to end a long home run drought and help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Houston Astros 9-1 on Saturday night.

Soriano (5-5) struck out 10 and allowed one run on three hits and three walks. He has allowed just two runs in his last three starts covering 20 2/3 innings with 28 strikeouts. He hasn't allowed a home run since April 22 — a span of 11 starts.

O’Hoppe hit his 15th homer and first since May 22 in the third inning to give the Angels a 6-0 lead. The catcher capped the scoring with his second of the game in the seventh.

Jo Adell reached with a one-out infield single off Astros rookie Brandon Walter (0-1) in the second and Luis Rengifo followed with his fourth home run for a 2-0 lead.

Nolan Schanuel was hit by a pitch and Mike Trout singled and scored from first on a double by Taylor Ward for a 4-0 lead.

Jose Altuve walked and scored on a two-out single by Christian Walker in the fourth for the Astros, but the Angels answered in their half when Zach Neto doubled with two outs and scored on Schanuel's single for a 7-1 lead.

Walter allowed seven runs on nine hits in six innings in his fourth career start.

Key moment

The Angels never looked back after Rengifo homered in the second.

Key stat

Houston is 3-2 against the Angels this season and leads the overall series 133-85. That includes a 65-45 record at Angel Stadium.

Up next

Astros rookie RHP Ryan Gusto (4-3, 4.31 ERA) will start Sunday's rubber game against Angels RHP Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 4.79).

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