New head coach Todd Pederson made a smart hire Tuesday to bring in former Detroit Lions head coach and Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to run his defense with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Don Banks of SI.com first reported the deal was pending, and then Pederson himself announced the move in a press conference.
This move signals a move back to a 4-3 defense and should significantly improve the production of the team’s front seven, which was ill-suited to run Bill Davis’ 3-4 the past few years.
In particular, Fletcher Cox could become an unstoppable behemoth in the middle.
Big beneficiary of Eagles scheme change: DT Fletcher Cox. Going into a contract year, should wreak havoc as a 3-technique.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 19, 2016
Schwartz, last coached in 2014 for the Buffalo Bills, where his defense led the league with 54 sacks. The talent exists on Philadelphia’s roster for the aggressive play-caller to have some immediate success.
One thing he’ll need to shape up quickly, however is the back end of the defense. While safety Malcolm Jenkins is a centerpiece to build around, the cornerback position was less than helpful in 2015.