Haven’t heard from Jim Schwartz since he was fired on Dec. 30, but he checked in today to speak up for  Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

FOX NFL analyst Heath Evans reported on Friday that three Lions, who he did not name, told him that Suh was uncontrollable and a bad influence in the locker room. One of his transgressions, according to Evans, was being late for team meetings.

Schwartz weighs in today through the team web site: "Ndamukong Suh was not late for any team meeting, practice or team travel in any of our four years together with the Lions. Anyone who reports otherwise is either being untruthful or has been misled."

Since Evans spoke about Suh, Lions’ players have spoken out to support Suh.

Suh, a three-time Pro Bowler, has developed a reputation across the league as a dirty player. But he has earned the respect of his teammates who elected him as a defensive captain prior to last season.

The Lions would like to sign Suh to a long-term extension this offseason. That would alleviate his $22.4 million salary cap hit for the 2014 season.

Suh fired his agents a week and a half ago and has yet to announce his new representation. It’s expected he will sign with Jay-Z’s agency.

Schwartz, who was fired after five seasons with the Lions, has been hired as the Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)