The Detroit Lions apparently aren't shying away from their beloved "Wide 9" defensive scheme.
The team has hired former Philadelphia Eagles defensive line coach and wide 9 proponent Jim Washburn as a defensive assistant according to USA Today's Mike Garafolo, who tweeted the news.
Perhaps the team hopes Washburn can help restore the scheme's reputation, which took a hit as the defensive struggled mightily in 2012.
The wide 9 allegedly places the team's defensive ends in a better position to get after the quarterback, but the alignment technique can sometimes be vulnerable to the run. In 2012, the Lions had issues against both the run, while ranking 20th overall in sacks.
Schwartz and Washburn were both defensive assistants to Jeff Fischer in Tennessee.