By Paul Macrie, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
Entering the 2016 season, Jim Schwartz was deemed as the man that would turn around a defense that was in disarray after three seasons of Billy Davis.
Of course, Davis shouldn't assume the entire blame for a declining defensive during those seasons, as Chip Kelly's offensive philosophy proved to be faulty. Too many times the defense was on the field for chunks at a time, and the personnel wore down.
Schwartz's 4-3, wide-nine scheme was supposed to be the defensive system that fit the strengths of most of the personnel employed by Kelly and Davis from 2013-2015. Some of those players left in free agency or were released, but players such as Fletcher Cox, Bennie Logan, Vinny Curry, Brandon Graham, Connor Barwin, Mychal Kendricks and Malcolm Jenkins survived the changes to the coaching staff. Players such as Cox and Jenkins — the foundation pieces of the defense — were never going elsewhere, anyway.
The Eagles were in desperate need of a talent infusion on the defensive side of the ball. Listening to Schwartz's suggestions, general manager Howie Roseman brought in Leodis McKelvin, Ron Brooks and Nigel Bradham, three pieces that played for Schwartz in Buffalo in 2014. Roseman also added safety Rodney McLeod, re-signed corner Nolan Carroll and some others, plus he extended Cox to a mega deal.
There were tremendous early-season results for Schwartz's defense, holding a great Steelers offense to three points in Week 3. Home performances against the Vikings in Week 7 and the Falcons in Week 10 were subtle reminders that the defense had flashes dominance.
After Week 10, the Eagles' defense has been a shell of its early-season self. The secondary has consistently surrendered big plays, something it had been minimizing during the first half of the year, and there has been a decrease in quarterback pressures and sacks. The secondary was always an issue, but the lack of pressure is inexcusable considering the defensive line is made up of double-digit sack potential guys, especially Cox, Barwin, Curry and Graham.
Schwartz will likely be given the benefit of the doubt for the defense's decline in the second half of 2016. The personnel remains lackluster on that side of the ball, as the team is in desperate need of defensive back help in the offseason. But, it is difficult to give the defensive coordinator a full pass, since the decline is a direct reflection of his coaching during the week of practices and game days.
After finishing 30th, 28th and 29th respectively in total defense from 2013-2015, this year's version is 18th entering the last week of the season. During the first half of 2016, the Eagles' defense was in the top 10 in total defense, but the stats also indicate regression. The most disappointing defensive stat is the team's sack total. The team only has 31, tied for 18th, with one game to play. Given Schwartz's history of coaching defenses in the NFL, normally his unit's will rank much higher in sacks.
Stats don't tell the entire story of an offense, defense or special teams unit, but it provides a respectable account where a team stands. The Eagles are a below average offense and defense, but they have a very good special teams unit. If a team is only proficient at one of the three phrases of the game, it is likely that team will not be playing past Week 17. That is exactly the case with Philadelphia.
Schwartz has ultimately failed to produce consistent results in his first year as the Eagles' defensive coordinator. He might have passed the first phase of the test this season, but there were two other parts of the examination. In order to pass the entire test, the mid-term and the final exam are crucial steps as well. The good news for him is that he has another shot at this test next season, but there might not be another chance after that.
After giving a poor analogy to how Schwartz's season went, to make it simpler — he needs to redeem himself. There are several head coaching jobs available before Week 17 even begins, but it is unlikely Schwartz gets an interview right away. He will need another season in Philadelphia to rehash his potential head coaching value.
The upcoming Eagles' offseason has more questions than answers. That has been the case for countless consecutive years now. Schwartz isn't the only coach that has to do a better job in 2017, but he was the guy that had the highest expectations entering his first year as the team's head defensive instructor.
