PHILADELPHIA - Jim Schwartz inherited one of the NFL's worst defenses and turned them into one of the best in less than two years. “I’m old school when it comes to celebrations or music at practice. Especially after a big turnover late in the game, no matter the point-differential on the scoreboard.“No, I’m pretty old school,” Schwartz said when asked if he had a problem with the celebration. The Eagles didn’t get the job done Sunday against Seattle.The old-school defensive coordinator has transformed the Eagles in his image. Four of the Eagles' six sacks came on blitzes.
29-51 W-L, 0-1 W-L in playoffs, 0 SB won, Lions/Titans/Eagles/.. 2001-2020, born MD 1966 “Again, whether it’s 30 to 29 or whether it’s 7 to 3, just try to come out with a win.”“We expect them to go out on the field and be excited and play with some passion,” Schwartz said. Buffalo Bills. “We’re in position. It’s not the effort of the team. I probably have the biggest get-off-my-lawn sign in the whole neighborhood.”“Our attitude all the time is ‘Do whatever it takes to win the game,'” said Schwartz.
“I would much rather have that headline be written about us or that criticism be out there about us than whatever, ‘Defense took the field dejected.’”It’s a common theme when talking to the defensive players in the locker room.
They made the play; we didn’t. I think that makes a big difference.” Here’s a closer look at key plays that went against the Eagles defense, along with Schwartz’s assessment of said play:The simple answer to the above headline: It was all of the above that led the Dolphins, who had previously averaged only 14.8 points a game, to score 37 points on Jim Schwartz’s defense.“That game is 100 percent on the defense,” Schwartz said. There were some plays when the Eagles just had to tip their caps to the Dolphins.The Eagles defensive coordinator took it on the chin Wednesday, the first time he met with reporters since Sunday, when he spoke broadly about his unit’s performance in the 37-31 loss.It was unlikely that Pederson or Schwartz would call out players, scheme or the personnel department, but the film doesn’t lie, and blame can be placed on all areas. “I think that communication is important, and you have experienced players that are used to playing together. The simple answer to the above headline: It was all of the above that led the Dolphins, who had previously averaged only 14.8 points a game, to score 37 points on Jim Schwartz’s defense. The Eagles defensive coordinator took it on the chin Wednesday, the first time he met with reporters since Sunday, when he spoke broadly about his unit’s performance in the 37-31 loss. That’s really what it comes down to.” Eagles have 7 sacks on those 31 plays.“We still have a long way to go,” Schwartz said. And even an offense that had been as unproductive as Miami had been through the first three-fourths of the season is capable of having a good game. The only other part of the equation Pederson didn’t mention was personnel, but when asked about it specifically, he said, “It’s not a talent thing.”But Schwartz didn’t point out many mistakes when asked about individual plays or what he and his players could have done differently against Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, receiver DeVante Parker and company.Get Eagles analysis in your inbox as they prep for the season.Eagles coach Doug Pederson, though, did not question his coordinator’s game plan or play calling.Defenses have bad days.
When coach Doug Pederson hired Schwartz to be the defensive coordinator in 2016, the Philadelphia Eagles were coming off three straight seasons ranked in the bottom four in yards allowed. Schwartz’s defense has allowed 17 points or less in four consecutive games while giving up fewer than 225 passing yards in five straight games. “However you lose the game, you didn’t get the job done.”Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz had no problem with the festivities.Jim Schwartz blitzed Russell Wilson on a remarkable 14 of 31 pass plays (45.2%). On January 24, 2014, Schwartz was hired by the Buffalo Bills as the defensive coordinator. Four of the Eagles' six sacks came on blitzes. In 2014 Schwartz's defense was one of the top defenses statistically in the NFL, and led the league in sacks. “We always feel if you give us 20 points we should win the game, and we certainly got more than 20.”But the fact remains that Schwartz’s defense – which had played so well over the previous four games -- was a step behind a first-time offensive coordinator, a journeyman quarterback and an offense that was among the worst in the NFL.“It’s not the calls. “17 to 9,” Schwartz told reporters.