Detroit Lions: Jim Schwartz Doesn't Owe Fans, Media Anything But Wins

Jim Schwartz is known as one of the NFL's most accessible coaches.

One of two NFL coaches on Twitter, the Detroit Lions head coach is also known to pal around with media members talking about classic metal and football strategy.

Schwartz can even be found at Michigan State basketball games or chatting with local Detroit personalities, such as Kid Rock before NASCAR races.

Ironically, Schwartz also runs one of the tightest ships in the NFL in terms of media secrecy.

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was viciously pummeled to the ground by Chicago Bears end Julius Peppers in the season opener on September 12, injuring his multi-million dollar throwing shoulder.

Stafford would sit out six weeks and return after the Lions' bye, leading his team to a win over the Washington Redskins before re-injuring the shoulder against the New York Jets a week later.

At that point, November 7, it was clear to every fan, pundit, talking-head, knee-jerk commentator, armchair physician and media member that Stafford should be wrapped in bubble wrap, moth-balled and consigned to the pine for the rest of 2010.

Instead, Stafford remained on the active roster until December 24 when he was placed on injured reserve.

Merry Christmas.

Stafford's status was a hot-button issue for much of the season. Will he play? Can he play? Would he be available to come in relief for a struggling Hill or Stanton?

Those questions were asked by thousands every week, never to be answered by Schwartz until the exact moment he was forced to reveal the information.

Information most coaches dispense readily.

Is it any surprise that the name Bill Belichick shows up on Jim Schwartz' football resume?

Recently, Schwartz revealed that his secrecy isn't based on some long-standing hatred of the fans or media. It isn't a desire to give his opponents one more thing to game plan around. It isn't a sick joke or a idiosyncrasy.

Schwartz doesn't talk about player injuries because he owes it to his players not to.

Schwartz doesn't talk about player injuries because he doesn't owe that to the fans or the media.

We live in a Twitter-fueled culture of instant access to so many topics. Insiders like Adam Schefter and Jason La Canfora update NFL fans with up-to-the-minute news and analysis. For Detroit Lions fans, Tom Kowalski and Dave Birkett provide the same service.

These days, players do much of the reporting themselves. Want to know the latest news on a player's rehab? Follow him on Twitter or like his Facebook page.

Yet, Schwartz—one of the most media savvy guys in the NFL—knows that fans and media aren't actually impacted by the knowledge of a player's injury.

The player is.

When Jim Schwartz was with the Tennessee Titans, Jeff Fisher speculated on an injury to Jevon Kearse. Through no fault of his own, Kearse took longer than expected to return to the field. Fans dogged the defensive end, and media speculated on his work ethic.

Of course, none of it was true. Kearse was working hard, as usual, and his injury was just worse than assumed weeks earlier.

A completely normal rehab process was soured because a coach gave the media a report the media didn't need.

In retrospect, Matthew Stafford could have been placed on injury reserve much earlier in the 2010 season. That roster spot could have been used on a veteran linebacker or defensive back. Stafford could have had surgery much sooner.

If many fans or pundits had their way, the Lions would have done just that.

In the end, Jim Schwartz doesn't owe fans or media that type of decision making input or even the access to know the ins and outs of a player's injury situation.

Stafford was kept around Allen Park because he is a leader of the Detroit Lions and still has learning to do in film sessions and team meetings. Stafford was kept around because he's the kind of guy you want around, even if he can't throw. Hope was held out that Stafford could eke out one last game because he gives the team the best chance to win.

Fans and media shouldn't expect full access from Jim Schwartz; he's already made that clear.

Fans and media shouldn't expect Schwartz to let them into game or roster-planning decisions.

Fans and media should expect Schwartz, Martin Mayhew and the rest of the Detroit Lions organization to continue on the course they've set, righting the ship after the disastrous Matt Millen regime.

Fans and media should continue to expect the talent level to rise on this team as new players are brought in and young players enter their prime.

The only thing Jim Schwartz owes Detroit Lions fans and media is wins. The rest we'll all just have to live without.

After years of ineptitude at the Lions helm, that sounds like a fine trade.

Michael Schottey is an on-call editor for the Bleacher Report College Writing Internship. He is also an NFL Featured Columnist and an NFL Draft Expert. A member of the Pro Football Writers of America, he has professionally covered the Minnesota Vikings, and the Detroit Lions, as well as NFL events like the Scouting Combine and the Senior Bowl. Follow him on Twitter.