??Jim Schwartz inherited one of the NFL’s worst defenses and turned them into one of the best in less than two years.When coach Doug Pederson
hired Schwartz to be the defensive coordinator in 2016
Phillip Gaines Color Rush Jersey , the Philadelphia Eagles were coming off three straight seasons ranked in the bottom four in yards allowed.Schwartz
changed the scheme back to a 4-3 base and rebuilt the defense using many of the
same players left from the old regime. He also brought a swagger that’s
reflected in his players.Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox,
two-time Pro Bowl safety Malcolm Jenkins, defensive linemen Brandon Graham and
Beau Allen, and linebacker Mychal Kendricks were part of the unit that struggled
under former coach Chip Kelly and former defensive coordinator Billy Davis.But
they’ve thrived under Schwartz because his system fits their skills.“He always
puts us in great position to make plays,” Jenkins said.Schwartz made an
immediate impact last season, helping the defense go from 30th in yards allowed
and 28th in points to 13th and 12th, respectively.This season, they ranked
fourth in both categories and had the league’s No. 1 run defense.While
Minnesota’s top-ranked defense got most of the attention
Ryan Braun Jersey , Philadelphia’s unit has been excellent in the playoffs.The Eagles have allowed only 17 points in two games ??one touchdown
drive was 18 yards following a fumbled punt. They dominated the Vikings in a
38-7 win in the NFC championship game last Sunday.Now, Schwartz has to devise a
plan to stop Tom Brady and the Patriots in the Super Bowl.“No player stands on
his own,” Schwartz said. “The NFL in general, but particularly the Patriots, you
can’t scheme for one player. If you do, then they have plenty of other players
that can make plays. You have to do a good job against their entire offense, and
you can’t really make it about one person.”Schwartz began his NFL coaching
career in Cleveland as a research assistant for Bill Belichick in 1993. After
three seasons with the Browns, he spent three years as outside linebackers coach
in Baltimore and then went to Tennessee. Schwartz served 10 seasons with the
Titans
Baker Mayfield Jersey , the last eight as defensive coordinator.He coached the Detroit Lions for five seasons, leading them to the playoffs in
2011. Schwartz was Doug Marrone’s defensive coordinator in Buffalo in 2014,
worked as a consultant for the NFL’s officiating department in 2015 and came to
Philadelphia after Pederson was hired to replace Kelly.“I owe a lot to Bill
Belichick. He got my career started,” Schwartz said. “That’s the last thing that
we’ll be thinking about in preparation. You think any of our players care that
in 1993 I got hired as an unpaid intern? They are just going out and playing.“We
need to come up with a good plan. We need to execute. We need to keep in mind
what we’re good at, keep in mind our matchups and all those different things.
And if we do a good enough job at that, we’ll be able to come out with a
victory.”Schwartz holds players accountable in meetings, singling guys out if
they make mistakes. But he does it in a way where he doesn’t alienate them.“He
cares about winning. That’s what he’s all about, not himself
Tre'Davious White Jersey ,” defensive end Chris Long said.Despite Schwartz’s success in Philadelphia, he won’t be leaving for another head coaching job just
yet. The New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals were interested, but Schwartz
wouldn’t confirm whether he interviewed with either team.“I think it’s not fair
to our players or anything else to talk about anything else,” Schwartz said.AP
NFL website: ??Vontaze Burfict is appealing a four-game suspension from the NFL
for violating its policy on performance-enhancing substances, the third straight
season that the Cincinnati Bengals linebacker is facing punishment from the
league.The suspension was first reported by ESPN. The Bengals had no comment on
Burfict. They signed free agent linebacker Preston Brown to a one-year contract
Friday, giving them depth at the position.The Bengals have steadfastly supported
Burfict, even giving him a three-year contract extension while he was suspended
last year. They’ve had plenty of chances to get accustomed to playing without
him.He missed the first six games of the 2015 season while recovering from knee
surgery. He played a key role in the Bengals’ playoff meltdown against the
Steelers that season, hitting Antonio Brown in the head after an incompletion.
The penalty moved Pittsburgh into range for a winning goal in the closing
seconds.The NFL responded by suspending Burfict for the first three games of the
2016 season
Cheap Billy Price Jersey , citing his history of egregious hits. He got another three-game suspension to start last season after an egregious hit on
Kansas City running back Anthony Sherman during a preseason game.Burfict also
was ejected last season during a game at Tennessee for contact with an official,
drawing a fine but no suspension for that infraction.Unless he wins his appeal,
the Bengals will have to plan to do without him in September again.By signing
Brown on Friday, they gave themselves another experienced linebacker to help
out.Brown has started 62 games for the Bills, who took him in the third round
from Louisville in 2014. He’d made 58 straight starts for Buffalo.The Bengals
also have tried to upgrade their offense by adding a player from Buffalo. They
got tackle Cordy Glenn in a deal this week that involved swapping first-round
draft picks. The Bills moved up nine spots to the No. 12 selection. The Bengals
got Buffalo’s pick at 21st overall..
