Cory Undlin: What the Lions are getting, from Eagles reporters' perspectives

Cory Undlin is a relatively unfamiliar name to most NFL fans. So when the Detroit Lions picked Undlin as the team’s new defensive coordinator, instead of listening to folks who didn’t know he existed opine on the hire, I decided to turn to people who have worked with Undlin and covered him during his days with the Philadelphia Eagles.

I exchanged messages and texts with five people who know Undlin well from their days covering him when he was the Eagles’ secondary coach under ex-Lions head coach Jim Schwartz. Four allowed me to publicly use their responses.

From Eagles Wire editor Glenn Erby:

Solid coach, got his NFL start with the Patriots, so I guess he comes from that Belichick coaching tree. I always felt he could replace Schwartz if he left, but I think the play of the Eagles secondary would lead some to believe that he’s not a quality coach. Instrumental in Malcolm Jenkins improving as a safety keeps the secondary together in spite of the injuries and ton of yards they can give up at times.

(A) solid coach and I guess with Patricia needing results, he grabbed a guy he knew and that he could trust. He can coach though. Helped Avonte Maddox become a starter in the slot. Loves Jalen Mills.

From beat writer Mike Kaye of NJ.com:

He’s had to deal with a plethora of injuries in the secondary for three years. Super likable guy. He does play favorites.

The last comment there is interesting because that was a common criticism of Schwartz in his Lions coaching tenure. This was also hinted at but not explicitly stated from the off-record.

Bleeding Green writer and podcast host Michael Kist did not see a lot to like with Undlin.

“I have no idea what he does here other than not improve anybody,” was the first line in response to my inquisition. He then provided some context:

“(Undlin) had a great track record before Philly, and I don’t know if Schwartz’s system is just hell on corners.”

From ESPN’s Turron Davenport, who covered the Eagles for several seasons before moving to Nashville to cover this year’s Titans,

Cory Undlin is a coach who brought a lot of energy to DB room and during practice. When I was there, his players really seemed to like him. They spoke highly of him.

They worked a lot on technique during practice, but for some reason it didn’t always transfer to game day. A lot of the cornerbacks were naturally aggressive players that liked to jump routes. Unfortunately, their aggressiveness was used against them when teams utilized double moves to generate explosive plays.

There will be a narrative that most of the defensive backs didn’t develop under Undlin, but I would counter that with players such as Cre’Von LeBlanc and Avante Maddox.

The Lions are getting a coach that truly loves what he does. His ‘Pursuit of Happiness’-like path to coaching in the NFL started with a daily four-hour ride to Fresno State as a graduate assistant after realizing he wanted to teach football.

The fifth source, who chose to remain anonymous, echoed a lot of what Davenport stated, focusing on the high-energy and attention to detail with technique.

Undlin has never been a coordinator before, but he has worked under diverse defensive systems and with a variety of different styles of defensive backs. Those who have covered him seem generally favorable on Undlin deserving the opportunity in Detroit.

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