Jim Schwartz in As Lions Head Coach

The 0-16 Detroit Lions have found their next head coach in Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. What does this mean to the team?

Schwartz's NFL career came out of the famed Bill Belichick camp. He joined the Cleveland Browns in 1993 doing research for the team. In 1996 Schwartz joined the Baltimore Ravens as a defensive assistant. 1999 brought him to the Titans fulfilling the same role as in Baltimore, and then in 2001 he was promoted to be Titans defensive coordinator.

Now the next question: “How will this help the Detroit Lions?”

Well, this might help out with the defense, but I am not sure how much. The last two seasons, Schwartz has led the Titans to a seventh-ranked defense in 2008 and a fifth-ranked defense in 2007. However, Schwartz’s defense has been sporadic over the years: 32nd (2006), 19th (2005), 27th (2004), 12th (2003), 10th (2002), and 25th (2001).

If you look at it by these numbers, Schwartz can’t do anything but improve the defense, because the Lions have finished 32nd in defense the last two seasons, but that will not fly. I do not think that Schwartz can step in and continue to have a top 10 defense. It can happen, though, because as stated earlier the Titans jumped from 32nd in 2006 to fifth in 2007.

As far as the offensive side of the ball, I don’t see how this helps the Detroit Lions team. They finished 30th in total offensive yards, 24th in passing yards, and 30th in rushing yards. The team has no clear number one rusher or QB. Jim Colletto has been retained as the offensive coordinator, and after last year's offensive numbers, I would not expect improvement.

In conclusion, it is hard to say if Jim Schwartz is the right guy. The Detroit Lions are a horrible team statistically in every facet. He may be able to improve the defense, but if the offense does not get better, how would you rate Schwartz?

The Lions could have a top 10 defense next year but still have the worst offense and have a record of 4-12. Would that be a success? I think not, but I also believe that there is not a coach in this world that can turn the Lions around on his own. It looks like that is what the Lions expect out of Schwartz, considering the people around him.

This article can also be read at fantasyfootballmaniaxs.com

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