Link: How Much Has Jim Schwartz’s Departure Hurt the Titans?
I noted this morning that Jerome Bettis is now writing (with an assist) on SI.com. Although I’m not sure how his ghost writer captures the classic wide-eyed ‘WOW’ from Jerome, it’s good to see him lending some of his thoughts to the collective dialogue. While there’s a whole section ont the Jets and Patriots. With this weekend’s opponent the Titans, I think this part might be more compelling right now.
Titans should have paid to keep Jim Schwartz. Let’s be clear about why Tennessee’s defense is struggling — and it doesn’t have to do with Albert Haynesworth. All anyone asked this offseason was, Will the Titans be OK without Haynesworth? They’re OK without him, but they really miss last year’s defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz. They’ve lost their continuity. Schwartz’s loss hurts them in so many more places than Haynesworth’s. Last week it was the play-calling late against Pittsburgh. Why would they stop blitzing late with the game on the line? This week it was the pass defense. They got shredded.
Getting beyond the naive point about keeping Schwartz in house as a coordinator instead of letter him go become a head coach and getting him some o’ that Albert Haynesworth M oney (I didn’t quote that part) … it’s an interesting point by Bettis, and one that I hadn’t really considered much. Schwartz has been the defenisve coordinator since Gregg Williams left town for the Bills. Schwartz was a college player at Georgetown and was an econ major, and he’s more the cerebral type of coach, and his scheming turned the Titans into one of the best defensive units in the league. In his time as a defensive coordinator for the Titans, Schwartz was lauded for his solid scheming and innovation.
12 Responses to Link: How Much Has Jim Schwartz’s Departure Hurt the Titans?
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Wise Old Jet Fan says:
Titans defense was impressive vs. the Steelers, got riddled by the Texans. One good game, one bad.
I seem to remember Schwartz’ defense getting riddled last year by the Jets, or was that a dream?
Again, it is too soon to jump to conclusions about any of these teams, including the Jets, can not judge an entire team or unit or player by one or two games results.
If the kid throws 5 INTS this week and TN wins 45-3 the knee jerk media will do a complete about face and say TN was obviously correct letting Schwartz and Haynesworth walk and Pete Carroll was right about Sanachez, and they will still be wrong.
No conclusions can be drawn from such a small sample.
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JO28, your point reminds me of something Francesa said last week, and I do not usually quote him but this one made sense.
He said one of the biggest mistakes everyone makes in prognosticating games is automatically applying the obvious weakness of one week to the following weeks games. His point was this is an league of adjustments, so just because a TE has a huge week vs. a certain team one week does not mean a TE will have a big game this week. The big week by the TE may have been by design, they were probably trying to contain the WR’s and backs.
It is a game of adjustments and gameplanning, and every coordinator notices what you noticed and will make adjustments accordingly.
Not saying this to criticize your point but rather I thought Francesa’s point was insightful. If I had a fantasy team ( or even bettter a real team ) I would handicap in this manner.
I would assume TN will try to take away Keller this week, especially since he appears to be the JEts top weapon, and therefore expect the WR’s and/or backs to be open.
Just something to consider.
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Brendan says:
We were able to pound the rock even with Haynesworth on the line. Granted, they probably didn’t have 9 in the box like they will on Sunday, but I’m confident that they can use their formula of wearing teams down with the run to their advantage. Just don’t give Chris Johnson a crease to cut through and we should be fine.
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I think its been a big deal because the Titans players think its a big deal. The players are already chirping about the new DC putting the blame on him and the playcalling. Its mainly the guys in the secondary who are being exposed badly thus far. I kind of think that this is due more to the loss of Haynesworth and the ends simply not being the same level anymore, but if the players are blaming the DC its a bad sign for the team in any game where they get off to a bad start.
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JetObsessed28 says:
Certainly a good point, wise one….
My emotional investment in this team puts my imagination ahead of logic often times…
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LAJetsFan says:
My favorite line from that article:
“The Jets called the Patriots out. They said, “We’re gonna whip you.” And they whipped them.”
When’s the last time either of those things happened? The calling out OR the whipping? I love it.
Now, let’s whip some Tennessee butt…and, funny enough, show them which “Titans” team is better.
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Maximus says:
One of the perks of having Rex as our coach is we can’t lose our defensive coordinator to another team.
This week will be interesting. Rex likes to run the ball x amount of times every week. He believes that is a must to win. The Titans have been steady against the run the first 2 weeks and shredded by the aerial attack. I hope at the least they come out throwing the ball to loosen up the defense. Otherwise it could be a long day.
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Bent says: Haynesworth is a bigger loss, although don’t sleep on their defensive line, it’s still pretty good.
And, regardless of pay, wouldn’t Schwartz want the opportunity to be a head coach? I think that’s unlikely with Jeff Fisher above him.
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That’s true Bent but he could of waited for a better opportunity than the Lions job.
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StvDoe says:
Maximus,
In a sense the Lions job is a great opportunity. While on many teams you’d get three years to get it done, on a team like the Lions your window is greater. If you win 3-4 games this season and 5-6 the next the fans are very happy. 8-8 in year 3 would be seen as an accomplishment. This likely gives you 2 more seasons to merely make the playoffs.
5 years is forever in today’s NFL in terms of coaching longevity.
In addition to this “waiting for the right opportunity” is an extremenly risky business. If your team underperforms the next season suddenly you’re no longer the hot candidate and may never get another chance. (Think Ted Cotrell.)
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Harvlis says:
Who cares about Schwartz? Do I feel sorry for them? Hell No! All I care about is making the playoffs and, hopefully, the SB. I’ll take every edge we can get. I hope his loss is devastating for them. We have a rookie QB and a rookie HC. Do you think they feel bad for us?
No doubt that losing Schwartz is proving to be a huge deal for them….
I’m thinking Keller can have a big game this week.. .Look what Schaub & Owen Daniels did to the Titans (of Tenn.) this past week..