The Schwartz is with you and the Browns defense: WFNY discussion

The Cleveland Browns have hired Jim Schwartz to be their next defensive coordinator. The former Detroit Lions head coach is from the Bill Belichick and Nick Saban defensive tree, so let's see what the WFNY staff thinks about this hire.Editor's note: conversation has been slightly edited for brevity. 

Do we like this hire?

• Valentino: Wow. All the talk yesterday was that the Seattle guy had a phenomenal interview and Breer saying that Flores was the favorite. Did anyone have Schwartz getting the gig?
• Schnitkey: I'll go on record as really liking this hire. Schwartz is really thought highly of as a DC and he brings a ton of experience and success at that job.
• Milner: He’s been doing for 20+ years so he has the expertise and probably will be helpful for Stefanksi.
• Jedrzjek: Schwartz feels like the high-floor pick.
• Gerberry: Flores was No. 1 but Schwartz was 1b.

What does this hire mean scheme-wise?

• Bode: His gap-dependent contain run defense will be interesting if we don't upgrade DT (which I think we will). He has really interesting pass rush concepts.
• Schnitkey: The question is whether or not he can get on the same page with Myles. Everything will depend on how much buy-in he gets from Garrett.
• Milner: He should because Schwartz claim to fame is the defensive line. He’ll make Myles the focal point which is what we want.
• Gerberry: FA dollars will definitely be paid for iDL.
• Bode: Schwartz is really different than Woods. I think that can be a good thing. Playing a lot of single-high is going to be jarring to some fans. Remember that he deploys it as "the look" but that doesn't mean it is what the defense is playing (his concept is that you can play multiple hybrid coverages if you start from that look). I'm REALLY interested in how this affects Ward. One of the key concepts that Schwartz does is he leaves one CB on an island, completely. And, he has to not let the offense know who that is. I think Newsome thrives there... and, I think that suits Ward if he returns to his pre-2022 self (Emerson less so... he might actually fit better as the float safety but I guess we'll have to see).
• Gerberry: How far back will Jabrill Peppers be? :) I like Emerson and he did well last year, but I'd go with the pedigree of Ward/Newsome as 1st round talents and try to play to their strengths than a 3rd rounder that is younger.
• Milner: Martin will probably find a role that works, but Greg and Ward are gonna be the stars of the show in the secondary.

What about the analytics versus football-guy stuff? Where does Schwartz fall?

• Jedrzejek: Carman and Lima chanting “He’s not a nerd!” after the hire… lol.
• Milner: I'm so over the jokes. Andrew Berry and Stefanksi played football, they just so happened to be at Ivy League schools.
• Bode: Schwartz talks with Football Outsiders, so he is a nerd? Oh no, he earned Distinguished Economics Graduate Honors at Georgetown!
• Milner: Nah, he’s a football guy so he’ll whip those nerds into shape.
• Bode: He might be the perfect optics hire... he looks and talks like a football barbarian... he has the acumen of the Ivy guys.
• Milner: Yeah, this narrative is dumb because if these coaches aren’t smart than what are we doing? I’m sure if there’s a mic’d segment of Schwartz people will love it.
• Jedrzejek: Why does this particular Browns team feel like a perfect topic for HBO's Hard Knocks?