Tag: Jim Schwartz

Browns DC Jim Schwartz on Lamar Jackson: He’s gone from a run-first QB to a pass-first QB

Browns DC Jim Schwartz on Lamar Jackson: “He’s gone from a run-first QB to a pass-first QB

Lamar Jackson is a two-time NFL MVP, but his performance through seven weeks of the 2024 season could be the best he’s ever played.

Jackson and the 5-2 Ravens will face the 1-6 Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Paycor Stadium.  Ahead of Thursday’s practice, the Browns’ defensive coordinator was asked about Jackson’s continued improvement.

Schwartz highlighted Jackson’s growth from a perceived run-first quarterback to a player dominating the passing game.

Through seven games played in 2024, Jackson is on pace to potentially break his record for the most rushing yards in a season by a quarterback (1,206 yards). Jackson is currently averaging 67.2 rushing yards per game.

As a passer, Jackson is completing 68.2% of his passes for 1,810 (5th in NFL), 15 touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 118.0 rating.

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Browns coach compares one of his defensive backs to a relief pitcher

The backup cornerback is a massive asset to the Browns.

Cleveland Browns cornerback Cameron Mitchell has seen the field often early in his young career, especially when the team elects to play it safe with Denzel Ward by using him on a limited basis. Per Scott Petrak of the Browns Zone, Cleveland defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said the following about Mitchell:

“He’s like a relief pitcher, he comes in and gives us good innings.”

Whether Ward is dealing with a concussion or a nagging shoulder injury like last week against Jacksonville, Mitchell can step in and play the nickel corner spot on early downs and non-passing situations to prevent Ward from worsening his injury by tackling a running back downhill. Mitchell’s willingness to make plays in the box and his ability to cover shifty slot receivers make him a perfect option to give Ward a break and shift cornerback Greg Newsome outside.

Given the caution the Browns like to show with Ward to keep him healthy all year, Mitchell plays an integral role by taking a bulk of the snaps on run downs, allowing Ward to come in late in each half and during obvious passing situations.

Key matchups for Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns

Key matchups for Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns

Coming off a tough loss in South Florida, the Jacksonville Jaguars are set for their home opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday as both teams look to avoid an 0-2 start. 

This week Jacksonville looks to be more consistent with its offensive production while Cleveland is again forced to deal with quarterback Deshaun Watson and his off-field issues as the Browns await the return of all-world running back Nick Chubb.

Week 2 will give both teams a better picture of what and who they are moving forward into the 2024 campaign. The Jaguars hope for better execution in their offensive approach following their blown lead to the Miami Dolphins.

With that in mind, Jaguars Wire is here to identify some key matchups for Jacksonville’s Week 2 matchup with Cleveland. Here are three matchups the Jaguars must win to avoid a winless start to the season.

Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson vs. Jacksonville’s defense

One of the key takeaways from this past Sunday was the Jaguars’ admirable defensive performance against the explosive Dolphins offense. They mostly limited significant explosive plays and generated four-man pressures through their front four.

Browns head coach and play-caller Kevin Stefanski is known for his offensive creativity and has put Watson in positions to succeed. But since returning from suspension nearly two seasons ago, the former Clemson standout has yet to return to his pre-2021 form.

Watson’s performance against the Dallas Cowboys offered a clear sign of his current abilities.

According to Next Gen Stats, Watson was pressured on 44.6% of dropbacks, finishing 5-of-17 for 22 yards against pressure while being sacked six times. His 23.2 percent dropback success rate was the lowest in a game in the Next Gen Stats era.

Watson has declined, and the Jaguars have the defense to force him off his spot and into bad decisions. Plus, Jacksonville has the athletic defenders necessary to stick with Watson in quarterback contain.

If defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s unit can generate pressures and rattle Watson early, it should be a good day for Jacksonville.

Jacksonville’s offensive line vs. Cleveland’s defensive line

The trenches will be a key matchup in this game but none more crucial than the Jaguars offensive line against the Browns stellar pass rush, led by All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett.

Jacksonville’s front five did a decent job of protecting franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence against the Dolphins, allowing a pressure rate of 32%, ranking No. 14 in the NFL in Week 1.

However, Cleveland defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is arguably the best in the game at his position and finds ways of consistently getting to the QB. Against the Cowboys, most of the Browns’ pressures came from a defensive front featuring three defensive ends and one defensive tackle.

Having an extra edge rusher lined up at the three-technique could prove disadvantageous for Jacksonville’s guards due to the speed and quickness of Cleveland’s rushers. Schwartz will likely deploy this fairly often in passing situations.

The biggest concern will be if the Jaguars can limit Garrett, arguably the best pass rusher in the world. This offensive line will also have to account for defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris, and defensive ends Za’Darius Smith and Alex Wright.

Jacksonville seems up for the challenge considering its Week 1 performance. Right guard Brandon Scherff must have a better game after an up-and-down showing in Miami. However, left guard Ezra Cleveland and center Mitch Morse held their own against the Dolphins and can build upon their performances this week. 

Tackles Cam Robinson and Anton Harrison will have a lot on their plate Sunday, but another solid day from these five linemen could signal success for the Jaguars in Week 2. 

Jacksonville’s skill players vs. Cleveland’s back-seven

Once again, the Jaguars’ group of offensive skill players will face another tough secondary only this time on their home turf.

The Browns have a defensive unit that allowed a negative .20 expected points added (EPA) per play allowed. Their back seven is led by star linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward with more quality defenders roaming the second and third level.

For most teams, including Jacksonville, facing Cleveland’s back seven is a tall task. Nevertheless, the Jaguars have last week’s first-half performance to go off of when it comes to taking on other stout back seven defenders.

Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. must be a focal point Sunday. The offense was humming when he was being targeted and he adds a level of explosiveness and playmaking ability this unit has not had in quite some time. His zero targets in the second half were inexcusable.

This weekend could be a good time for the Jaguars to deploy Evan Engram into the passing game in his new versatile role as the F-move tight end and fullback. He could be the X-factor against a tough Browns secondary.

Finding explosive plays and getting the ball to the team’s best playmakers will be another crucial aspect in their pursuit of a home-opener victory. 

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell not happy with joint practice physicality

They had hoped to get a fresh start after heading to Cleveland for joint practices with the Browns, but that was not the case.

The Minnesota Vikings have had a rough couple of days due to injuries. They had hoped to get a fresh start after heading to Cleveland for joint practices with the Browns, but that was not the case.

The Cleveland Browns are known for their defense being among the best in the NFL, so it would serve as a good test for the Vikings offense to go against them for two days. After day one, tensions are already high after not one but two injuries occurred during their first practice.

First, Jordan Addison had an ankle injury and was carted off. Coach Kevin O’Connell announced to the media that Addison is expected to be okay, but that good news was short-lived as Thayer Thomas also went down with an injury.

Following the second injury, it was reported by Mark Craig of The Star Tribune that O’Connell addressed the physicality that the Browns defense was playing with.

There was no comment from the team on the matter, but teams will practice again on Thursday.

Rams HC Sean McVay praises Browns DC Jim Schwartz

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay praised Jim Schwartz and the Cleveland Browns defense in an interview with The Athletic Football Show

Jim Schwartz, the defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns, received high praise from Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay.

McVay sat down with Robert Mays of the Athletic Football Show for over an hour to discuss all topics related to McVay’s football career. 

The two discussed the evolution of defenses across the NFL as more teams focus on disguising and rotating coverages when they mentioned how the Browns still run a traditional one-high safety defense. McVay praised Schwartz’s ability to command a team, getting players committed to the identity of a hard-hitting, high-intensity defense. 

McVay spent some time breaking down Schwartz and the Browns’ defense. McVay stated, 

“What I think Coach Schwartz does a great job of, there’s a commitment to a philosophy where they’re rolling off. You wanna keep those inside backers static. You’re gonna run the nickel on a lot of their match principles.”

McVay then went into the technical aspects that allow the scheme to flourish against the complex passing attacks in this era of the NFL.

“But then they do a great job of alleviating some of the hard downs on the back end by being able to play vision zone and being able to get to spots and melt off the quarterback. But they’re gonna match up, they’re gonna play tight.”

When pressed about the importance of varying coverages, and changing what quarterbacks see post-snap, McVay defended Schwartz saying, 

“And still, you know, Coach Schwartz does a good job of mixing that up too, where, you know, you think it’s something and then you’re like, oh my gosh, this is, you know, it morphs post snap. And that’s what all these good ones do.”

McVay admires how Schwartz imbues a spirit into his teams that helps them play at an elite level. McVay remarked, 

“And the thing I respect a lot about him, which is why he’s been good wherever he’s coached is, there’s an identity in terms of what these players look like, how that brings his philosophy and system to life in terms of how they play the front and what that enables them to do on the back end.”

McVay is extremely familiar with Schwartz’s defense. Last year, he and the Rams systematically destroyed a weakened Browns’ defense, finishing up a three-game road trip. Schwartz deserves a lot of praise for turning the Browns from a pliable and bad defense into one of the best defenses in the NFL.

The future looks bright for the unit. The team brought back nine of the eleven starters allowing Schwartz to add more complexities to his defense after setting a strong foundation last season.

Browns CB Denzel Ward says the playbook has ‘new wrinkles’ vs. last year

The Browns’ star confirms changeups are coming

A couple of weeks ago, Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz talked about the team’s need to evolve as a defense. He talked about how good the team’s fastball is but also the need to develop “change-ups.” Now, Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward is echoing that sentiment.

At times, the Browns’ defense was predictable, and the better offensive minds and quarterbacks were able to take advantage of it. On Wednesday, Ward confirmed those changes are on the way as the team looks to build off its success last season.

“We already got our playbook in from last year, but he added a few more wrinkles in there, a few more plays, and just playing off things that we already do out there. And I think it’s going to be some good additions to our team that I think is going to help us out there on the defensive side of the ball.”

Cleveland has the talent to be one of the league’s best, and a second year in a great system should yield good results. If Schwartz can mix things up coverage-wise, especially zone coverage and in the red zone, 2024 could be a lot of fun.

Browns DC Jim Schwartz: Expect more ‘changeups’ in Year 2

Schwartz says the defense will grow in 2024

Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz knows that if his defense wants to replicate the great season they had in 2023, things will need to look different.

Last year the team didn’t play particularly well in zone coverage and the red zone, something the Browns defensive coordinator discussed at Thursday’s OTA practice.

Schwartz said there is only so much you can do in the first year of a system, but there will be more wrinkles to confuse offenses next year, in addition to the things they do well.

“We’re obviously in a different spot because we have a year in the system,” Schwartz said. “So, I think what that affords us is the ability to work on more changeups. Like, we’re a fastball team, right? We do what we do, we try to do it really well. But there were some things that we sort of held back last year.”

Talented quarterbacks could take advantage of some of the things the Browns did with their lack of changeups, as Schwartz would say. More teams will be able to counter what the Browns do defensively with a year of tape to dissect, and Schwartz is aware and planning to evolve this year for a deeper playoff run.

Browns: Michael Hall Jr. aces quiz from Jim Schwartz on his 2024 NFL draft call

Michael Hall is already winning gold stars

One of the best moments every year is the calls these players get from teams as they come off the board, and the 2024 NFL draft call between the Cleveland Browns and Michael Hall Jr. did not disappoint.

Part of his call that the Browns were taking him off of the board included a quiz from defensive coordinator. And it was a quiz that Hall aced with general manager Andrew Berry, head coach Kevin Stefanski, and more listening humorously.

The Browns, and particularly Hall, will never turn down explosive and lethal pass rushers. Hall Jr. fits the bill for the Browns in that regard as he was one of the top-graded pass rushers in the entire nation a year ago.

Hall Jr. will now get the chance to learn behind veterans like Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson, and Maurice Hurst the Akron native heads just a little further north.

Watch and enjoy the call between the Browns and Hall here.

Browns DC Jim Schwartz thankful for most recent stint with Titans

Jim Schwartz, who recently won Assistant Coach of the Year, also noted how big of an impact owner Amy Adams Strunk has had on the Titans.

Before becoming the defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns, where he recently won Assistant Coach of the Year for 2023 in his first season on the job, Jim Schwartz had his second stint with the Tennessee Titans as the team’s senior defensive assistant.

When he took the job in 2021, Schwartz was coming off a five-season stint with the Philadelphia Eagles as their defensive coordinator, but he was also dealing with thyroid issues that he originally thought would force him to sit out a year.

Then, the opportunity with the Titans popped up, which allowed Schwartz to keep working, but at his own pace.

“I was at a tough spot in my career,” Schwartz said, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. “Because I was like a player. I was injured, and I couldn’t necessarily do my job. And I was thinking I would have to take a full year off. And I was just incredibly grateful to the Titans and Mike Vrabel for allowing me to contribute at my own pace. And my own pace went from a couple of days a week to seven days a week pretty quickly.”

Schwartz notes that the new role helped him “step back” a bit and “enjoy the journey” while also helping out young coaches on the Titans’ staff.

“It was a chance to not only do that, but to mentor some young coaches,” he said. “I was in a different role. I had been a head coach or a coordinator for probably 20 years before that. It gave me just a good chance to be able to step back, and be able to enjoy the journey, and to try and help some younger guys along the way.”

Upon re-joining the Titans, the team saw a marked improvement on defense, with the unit going from the No. 24 scoring defense in 2020 to No. 6 in 2021 and No. 14 in 2022.

The Browns defensive coordinator was previously with the Titans from 2000 through 2008 and revealed things are very different for the franchise from his first stint to his most recent one because of owner Amy Adams Strunk.

“The Titans are in great shape with ownership, with Amy,” he said. “She’s made a dramatic impact on that franchise, providing resources that we might not have had in the 2000s when I was with the club.”

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Browns fans go nuts as Jim Schwartz wins Assistant Coach of the Year

The Browns DC turned Cleveland into one of the leagues best defenses

One of the best moves of the 2023 Cleveland Browns offseason was hiring veteran defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to replace Joe Woods.

They rebuilt the defensive line and Schwartz made the most of the talent he had moving players around and playing to their strengths resulting in one of the best starts to a season a defense has ever had.

Fans were excited to move on from Woods and add Schwartz and now he has one the highest honor an assistant coach can get for the 2023 season. What a year Schwartz had as he crafted the Browns defense in his aggressive image and boy did the fans love watching his guys attack opposing offenses.

The award was announced a little early but the fans took to social media to celebrate their defensive coach winning the award he so deserved. Here are some of the reactions from fans on Twitter/X after the award was announced.