The Philadelphia Eagles will have an attacking defense. That's about all we know because that's about all that new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will commit to. While Schwartz has predominantly run a 4-3 base alignment during his time as an NFL coach, he remains adamant that just what scheme the Eagles will run will be determined in preseason and training camp when he has a chance to get to know the guys on the roster.
"Other than a philosophy -- attack and try to be around the quarterback," Schwartz told 97.5 The Fanatic, per ESPN.com. "Exactly how we use each guy is going to be determined on what they do in OTAs, what they do in training camp."
That'll probably be welcome news for Eagles fans who watched as Chip Kelly and therefore Schwartz's predecessor, Billy Davis, shoehorned players into a two-gap 3-4. Guys like Fletcher Cox and Connor Barwin excelled, while players like Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry did their best to reshape their bodies to fit at new, unfamiliar positions.
Curry, the recipient of a brand spanking new five-year, $47.25 million contract extension, sounds like a guy Schwartz is ready to unleash next season. Schwartz thinks he's going to be able to "take the handcuffs off" Curry, a guy who was drafted because of his ability to get to the quarterback, but who spent the last three seasons playing out of position as a two gap end, mostly on third downs when he could finally utilize his pass rushing skill.
"There were some guys that fit well in the defense here last year," Schwartz said. "I think he was one guy that really wasn't a great fit. He played in that square stance. They played (him) at the line of scrimmage, a lot of two-gap (technique)."
Interestingly, it's not Curry's elite burst off the line that has Schwartz so excited to work with the former Marshall product though - it's Curry's relentlessness to the quarterback.
