Jim Schwartz Brings Veteran Savvy To Philadelphia Eagles Defense

More important to the Philadelphia Eagles future than resigning Fletcher Cox or retaining Vinny Curry, defense rookies finally have a chance to grow and flourish under new Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz

The defense will likely revert to a 4-3. The defense will likely be a variation of a wide-9 (but not the same type as the porous version of Juan Castillo/Jim Washburn’s tenure). But the difference is that his defenses have been successful in the NFL.

That’s something most Eagles fans are anticipating.  In a 4-3, they can see the team featuring the throwback to Reggie White skills of defensive lineman Fletcher Cox.  They can see Vinny Curry and Brandon Graham returning to their more natural position of defensive ends. In truth, Jim Schwartz is probably as familiar with the players on the Eagles team as anyone.

Fans are excited again about the defense. They see improvement across the board as players who are expected to be more at home in a 4-3  defense.  Even if the team does not make any effort to improve one iota, the mere fact that the 30 second three and out offense will be gone, giving the team fewer plays to defend will be a huge improvement.  In a city that loves defense, on a team that has not had much to cheer about in recent years, the hiring of Jim Schwartz is already taking on a life of its own.

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But the defenses of Jim Schwartz are not expected to be improved passively. In fact, in a series of events that almost parallels the history of the nearly legendary pairing of Andy Reid and the late Jim Johnson. Jim Schwartz’s hire automatically improves the chances for the offense of new head coach Doug Pederson.  How so?  He won’t have to face the defense of Jim Schwartz.   But the rest of the NFL must now prepare to do so, and so far that has turned out if favor of Schwartz. 

Pederson said. “I’ve had a chance to coach against him. I’m glad he’s on our team now.”

Wherever ha has been in charge of the defense, the team seems to get the most of the talent on that roster.   His tenure with the Tennessee Titans was so impressive that he was offered the head coaching job of the Detroit Lions.  When that didn’t work out, he ran the Buffalo Bills defense in 2014.  In the Bills version, Schwartz implemented a pretty standard 4-3 basic defense with nickel and dime packages.  The team did not rely upon a blitz, and generated pressure from the four starting defensive linemen.

Next: New Twist to Familiar Scheme