When Eagles coach Jim Schwartz met with the media for the second time this training camp on Saturday, the defensive coordinator emphasized the importance of his defenders playing as a unit.
“I told our guys the other night with the Olympics coming up, the record for the 400 meters is like 43-seconds or something. The record for 4×100, same distance, is like 36-seconds. The idea there is teamwork can trump individual play. I think if were doing our job with training camp, if our players are responding well in the scheme, if we have a scheme that matches the players, we’ll see the sum should be greater than the individual parts.”
Jim Schwartz formerly served as Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator where he coached Eagles cornerback Leodis McKelvin. On Saturday, reporters asked Schwartz why the 11th overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft took a few years before becoming an upper-echelon defensive back.
“It took him a little while to get started. I thought he really came into his own before I got to Buffalo in 2012. The year I was there he was playing at a pro bowl level, I thought, until he broke his leg or ankle in the Miami game. Whatever happened before that I can’t speak to… He’s responded well here, he’s a veteran player. It’s nice having guys like Leodis, guys like Nolan Carroll, guys like Malcolm Jenkins, guys like Rodney McLeod.”
Schwartz was also asked to describe the character of first-year Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham, as well as what he brings on the field.
“I think you’re gonna like the way he plays football. He’s a tough physical player, he plays fast. He’s a guy that had a little bit of injuries last year, wasn’t able to finish the year but he fits what we’re doing. He’s a professional, he’s young, it’s hard to call him a vet but I guess he is a vet. [It’s] good to have him here.
Brian Dawkins, who is joining the Eagles scouting department, answered a few questions about his new position with the Eagles on Saturday morning.
“I’m looking forward to seeing if this is something that will lead to something even bigger.”
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Dawkins promoted through the ranks of the Eagles organization in the coming years.
