I don’t get it. I honestly don’t get it. I do not understand the disdain for Jim Schwartz.

All coaches get criticism. Andy Reid got ridiculed even after taking the Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2004. Doug Pederson, who actually won the friggin’ Super Bowl,- has caught his share of flak, especially from those who are sure Frank Reich is somehow the genius of all geniuses.

Schwartz has quite a strong contingent of people, some who are normally very level-headed, that cannot wait for him to leave Philly.

I like Schwartz and think he is absolutely a good coach. He’s not on the same level as Buddy Ryan or Bud Carson or Jim Johnson, but he did manage to do something they couldn’t. Schwartz helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl. It blows my mind how that is almost glossed over.

Schwartz is far from perfect. There are times when he can be stubborn schematically. There are times when he makes questionable personnel decisions.

For some reason, we don’t think other coaches have the same issues. People get mad at Schwartz for leaving mediocre CBs exposed. Do you remember Toast Jenkins? People get mad at Schwartz for relying on some vets too much. Anyone remember Jim leaving a hobbled Blaine Bishop on the field in the NFC championship loss to the Bucs? Carson once had a three-game stretch where his defense allowed an average of 240 rushing yards per game (724 total). I still don’t know how that happened.

Schwartz has posted good numbers in Philly.

Yep, the grass is indeed not always greener. Schwartz's DVOA rankings as a defensive coordinator, since 2007: https://t.co/JuiSYGIOt4 pic.twitter.com/uB9ilSbw2Q — Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) January 7, 2020

Jim Schwartz, third down rankings: 2019: 5

2018: 8

2017: 3 https://t.co/ytsa8lwn4T — Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) January 7, 2020

Jim Schwartz will reportedly interview with Browns tomorrow In his 4 years as Eagles DC in regular season/playoffs: 16.1 points/game at home- FEWEST in NFL 20.4 points/game –

5th fewest in NFL pic.twitter.com/IYoSEIfb47 — John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 7, 2020

It is easy to say “Good riddance” because you don’t like his schemes, coaching style or personnel decisions. But how likely are you to find someone who is either as good or is even better?

Who is this great coach?

If I thought the Eagles were likely to find a better defensive coordinator, I’d be all for letting him go. I want the Eagles to win. I don’t care who the coach is.

Mike Kaye wrote a piece with three potential replacements if the Eagles lost Schwartz. None of them excites me, but they are all realistic possibilities. There are also veterans like Wade Phillips and Rex Ryan available, but they lean more toward 3-4 base units. The Eagles have 4-3 personnel and would be wise to stick with that.

In the end, I don’t think Schwartz will get the Browns job. I don’t think he’ll be going anywhere. And that is a good thing for the Eagles, just not for his detractors.

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I do think the Eagles need to do something on defense.

Chandon Sullivan quietly had a terrific season for the Packers. Played 350 snaps, broke up 6 passes, allowed zero TDs, a 35.5 completion percentage and a 34.3 passer rating on throws into his coverage. — Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) January 7, 2020

And …

Ex-Bird DB De'Vante Bausby played with Denver in 2019. Not as many snaps as Sullivan. But Bausby lowered his opposing passer rating from 144.8 in 2018 w/ Birds to 64.4 w/ Broncos in 2019. — ACViking41 (@ACViking41) January 7, 2020

Marginally talented DBs are leaving here and playing better. That’s an issue. I don’t know if the problem is Cory Undlin or if there is an issue with how he coaches and what Schwartz’s scheme wants DBs to do.

What I do know is that the Eagles pass defense has been a problem the past two seasons. The individuals aren’t playing well and they aren’t consistently playing well as a unit. I don’t have any stats, but it sure feels like the Eagles really struggle when they play zone.

The Eagles need to make adjustments. That could be schematically, in terms of personnel or in coaching. Something isn’t working.

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#Eagles GM Howie Roseman and head coach Doug Pederson will meet with reporters Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. — Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 7, 2020

I’m curious if anything interesting will come of this. The media hasn’t had a chance to talk to Howie in a while. I’m sure there will be some tough questions for him on what went wrong with the roster this year.

I’m not sure Pederson will have anything too interesting to say. The most intriguing topic for him will likely be about potential changes to the coaching staff. I’m doubtful we’ll get definitive answers tomorrow.

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