Jim Schwartz Discusses LBs & Hitting In Practice
PHILADELPHIA, PA (CBS) — There's no doubt Jim Schwartz is a lightning rod. The Eagles' animated defensive coordinator has a real zeal for attacking defenses—and for players he once coached—like free agent linebacker Stephen Tulloch, who the Eagles are reportedly interested in signing and who played for Schwartz in Tennessee and when he was head coach in Detroit.
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Schwartz discussed Tulloch and live hitting when he met the media after the Eagles practiced on Sunday at the NovaCare Complex.
Can Tulloch help the Eagles' linebacking corps?
"First, I got a lot of background with Steve," Schwartz said. "I was with Tennessee when we drafted him; [he] ended up being starting middle linebacker for us there. When I was head coach in Detroit, we brought him up there. I have a lot of respect for that guy and his production.
"But last week, when you guys asked me similar questions, I said the same thing. [Eagles executive vice president of football operations] Howie [Roseman] and [Eagles vice president of player personnel] Joe [Douglas], those guys, all the scouts are always looking for ways to improve our team. So, whoever is out there that can improve our team, whether it's a guy like 'Tully' who is unsigned, or guys that are on other teams, that they're looking at roster numbers; we're going to watch pre-season games and be looking at the waiver wire, who might be cap casualties. That's what the personnel department does. I trust those guys to explore every option that would help us."
Signing Tulloch certainly adds depth to an area of the field that appears rather thin.
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"We have some good veterans here," Schwartz said. "Najee Goode is a young veteran, but I think he does a great job in that role. I think we've got a good mix of younger players and older players.
"I don't think you go in with preconceived notions that way. I don't think you sit there and say, 'Yeah, we have 'X' number of vets and 'X' number of rookies.' We leave that to [Eagles executive vice president of football operations] Howie [Roseman] and [Eagles vice president of player personnel] Joe [Douglas] and the personnel guys. We'll coach who's out there."
As for hitting in practice, Schwartz is in favor of it.
"Here's what I want to see," Schwartz said. "From a defensive mentality, it's nice to have a head coach that wants to have a physical practice; that wants to defend guys up. A lot of offensive coaches shy away from that. I think it's going to pay off for us not just defensively, but it will pay off for us offensively.
"[Head] Coach [Doug Pederson] wants to build a tough, physical team, and that doesn't happen by accident. That doesn't happen with just hoping that it happens. Hope isn't a very good strategy. You've got to go out and do it, and we embrace it."
