Jim Schwartz is What the Browns Desperately Need

Undisciplined. Unorganized. Directionless. Soft.  These are words that have characterized the Joe Woods era of the defense. In the 3 years that was supposed to be a defense transforming from a bottom dweller to a destructive defensive unit, they have been the ones that have self-destructed. From blown coverage, finger-pointing, and outbursts to the media this was a talented unit that seemed more like a rudderless ship capsizing into the depths of its incompetence. A change was very necessary as Joe Woods was fired as they got off the bus from their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in early January, which commenced a search for a defensive coordinator that would both command respect and be competent. Enter Jim Schwartz.On the surface, his 4-3 base defense might look familiar, but don’t mistake that as a copy-paste approach. Schwartz when talking to the press emphasized how in the modern NFL, the defensive line wins games. While Joe Woods put a lot of importance on trying to cover ground in the passing game, Schwartz’s belief is that stopping the pass starts and ends with the pass rush.https://twitter.com/PJFOX8/status/1615857150386921473?s=20&t=D894te6BdBmEk9yY47o6HQ That has been his calling card for the past 20+ years, that he’s gotten production out of his defensive lines which he tries to scheme up one-on-ones for his star defensive players. Myles Garrett, who was double-teamed the most out of anyone in the NFL, should greatly benefit from this change as he’ll finally be the focal point on the defense.Another aspect of Schwartz’s defense is the use of man coverage. This has been a complaint from Browns fans since many believe the best use of Greg Newsome and Denzel Ward is that they are very good man corners, while in Woods's defenses ran a good amount of zone. https://twitter.com/jake_burns18/status/1615386155658383371?s=20&t=D894te6BdBmEk9yY47o6HQThis was clearly apparent all last year that it felt like the team was not playing to its strengths. It was a coach in Woods that wanted to play a certain style but failed to grasp what made his players the best versions of themselves. That lack of flexibility to change and be accountable is what sealed Woods's fate. This will be the plan for Schwartz as he tries to give a voice and empower his best players to play at a premier level next season. Building the trust between the players and coaches that was lost will be a priority for Schwartz who believes that it is desperately needed for this all to work. https://twitter.com/ScottPetrak/status/1615800385901367336?s=20&t=D894te6BdBmEk9yY47o6HQThis is something that is also good for Brown’s head coach Kevin Stefanski. Schwartz is a lot like a presidential running mate that Stefanski hand-picked to hit all the demographics. Even though Schwartz aligns with Stefanski’s philosophies he gives off the impression that he is an old-school football guy, and his background reflects it. Even though he has an economics degree from Georgetown and was one of the pioneers of the analytics movement in football, he has the fiery style that gives him an edge and wins him brownie points for fans. it also helps that his coaching career started in the same halls in Berea that once were home to Bill Belichick, he was one of the famous “slappys” that would do all the grunt work so that is another plus. He even was giving funny anecdotes in the “turkey sandwich story” in which he accidentally stole the last turkey sandwich from Belichick and feared he wouldn’t be welcomed back. Whether this was by design or by accident, he is a palette cleanser from Kevin’s more even-keeled demeanor and gives Browns fans the more “personable” and “human” touch they might be looking for.Obviously, this can all just be the honeymoon phase clouding my mind. We are in mid-January, after all, where winning press conferences have been a tradition unlike any other in Northeast Ohio. I know you might think I'm drinking the kool-aid and putting too much stock in what might be said but I do believe in his approach. It shouldn't take a brain scientist to make this defense competent. With stars Garrett, Ward, Newsome, and others, having an adult in the room as the defensive coordinator should be enough to make them a well-rounded defense.  That is what I believe Schwartz to be, with his resume and his super bowl ring there should be a level of expectation that he'll make the defense everything we have been waiting for.