Brian's New Favorite Team
On Jim Rome today Schwartz was on after his press conference. Rome asked him about his time in Cleveland and asked him to tell him about when he was doing research for Bellichick. He said they had calculated that fumbles were random and they were not indicative of good or bad teams and had little bearing on wins and losses. Bellichick resisted the theory at 1st but eventually Schwartz convinced him. Schwartz said that teams can say they coach stripping the ball etc. but it varies randomly from year to year. He said that his research indicated that interceptions both receiving and getting were a key indicator of success.
Then I opened ESPN the magazine and saw an article about how horrible clock managers pro coaches are. Schwartz was quoted in that as well.
This guy has to be a favorite of Brian's...I think Brian will be watching some pro games next year.
Long live the Schwartz!!!
January 16th, 2009 at 7:22 PM ^
I think this is all moot because I won't believe the Lions will ever be viable again until I actually witness it. BUT... the guy reads Pro Football Prospectus and obviously puts a premium on actual analysis. Skip Bayless was talking about how he's basically just a Defensive Coordinator in name, and that Jeff Fisher was the real DC in Tennessee. I couldn't help but think of Mike Smith when he took over in Atlanta last year. The same Mike Smith who most pundits derided because, after all, John Fox was the real Defensive Coordinator in Carolina. I like the Schwartz hire and am interested to see what he can do.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:27 PM ^
It would be hard to give Smith the credit for being Carolina's DC, seeing as their DC since 2002 has been Mike Trgovac.
Mike Smith was DC of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:33 PM ^
Good call. I was thinking Jack Del Rio / Jacksonville, but wound up with John Fox / Carolina. I think it's because both teams wear teal. :-) I'd edit it if I could, but the point still stands (just make the mental swap).
January 16th, 2009 at 7:42 PM ^
Yeah, it's confusing. Especially since Del Rio was Fox's DC, Trgovac is his current DC, and Smith was Del Rio's DC.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:28 PM ^
I hear about Shwartz the more I like him. I hope he can get the Lions to the 8-8 promised land.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:57 PM ^
The glory days of the '90s, baby! Restore the Roar!
Why did god have to make me a Lions fan?
January 16th, 2009 at 8:00 PM ^
You need an intervention. Just become Lions Free. You can do it.
January 16th, 2009 at 8:14 PM ^
I've been Lions Free for 18 years, 0 months, and 4 days. My hair has grown back, the shaking has stopped, I have more energy, I'm closer to my family, and dogs like me now.
January 16th, 2009 at 8:15 PM ^
May the Schwartz be with you.
January 16th, 2009 at 8:46 PM ^
That Brian guy actually knows his shit about football!!
He should start a blog or something.
January 16th, 2009 at 8:52 PM ^
I'm not sure what a coach can do with the knowledge that fumbles are random, other than not waste about 15 minutes of practice on stripping the ball. I certainly wouldn't say they have no bearing on wins and losses....they're just useless as a predictor of future performance.
January 17th, 2009 at 12:23 AM ^
coaches can do by using the 'fumbles are random' theory is not bench or limit the play of their best guys just because they have a run of fumbles.
In related news, Brandon Minor approves this message.
January 17th, 2009 at 11:38 AM ^
So does Magnus.
January 17th, 2009 at 12:51 PM ^
At the NFL level, it's probably silly to bench a guy for fumbling, since by that time he should be well aware of how to protect the ball. In college, though, it may make sense.