What’s first-year verdict on Grantham’s defense?
Was it just a personnel problem, or should the Georgia defense have made more progress this year? (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
Whether you tend to spin these things positively or negatively, Mark Richt pretty well summed up the defensive picture for the Dogs this week when he said Georgia still has “a ways to go” and “we’re still not playing championship-level defense right now.”
Since the end of the regular season, there’s been a lot of discussion among fans about the Georgia defense this year and the fact that its only real improvement over the Willie Martinez era was in takeaways.
All the offseason talk about a more “aggressive” style of play got fans excited about the arrival of Todd Grantham, but overall, the stats this season weren’t much different from the year before. Aside from Justin Houston, the Dogs weren’t very successful pressuring opposing quarterbacks. And Georgia ended the year dead-last in the conference in third-down defense.
Granted, the personnel wasn’t ideal for Grantham’s 3-4 scheme, particularly on the line, but it’s kind of alarming that there wasn’t any real improvement shown over the course of the season. And Grantham didn’t appear to have a clue how to defend the option running attacks that the Dogs increasingly face.
Should Georgia be feeling buyer’s remorse over spending big bucks for Grantham instead of opting for others who were available at the time, such as Tim DeRuyter, who has turned things around at Texas A&M, or Manny Diaz, who wound up at Mississippi State?
I put that question to a few fans this past week.
“I didn’t really feel like I saw the 3-4 I was expecting with lots of pressure and pressure coming from all over and confusing quarterbacks,” my son Bill said. “We played a lot of 4-2-5 or sometimes it looked like even just 4-3. Houston was always rushed from the end and that seemed to be our only blitz.”
Bill thought it instructive to look at Texas A&M, our bowl opponent last year, which also replaced its defensive coordinator after the season. “I watched Texas A&M, which switched to a 3-4 this year when they hired Tim DeRuyter from Air Force, who was floated for our D-coordinator job last year. A&M does a lot more varied blitzing and looked more like a 3-4 defense. They have Von Miller, a Justin Houston type player (they were both finalists for the Dick Butkus Award, which Miller just won) and he was rushed from different positions, so the QB didn’t always know where he was coming from, despite being an outside linebacker.
Was Todd Grantham's NFL experience perhaps not the best background for a college defensive coordinator? (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
“It’s possible A&M just has better personnel to run a 3-4 than UGA. It is also possible that hiring a college D-coordinator made more sense than hiring a pro one, where those spread type offenses aren’t around as much. We also had an inability to adjust to covering a wheel route for way too long this season. Couple the collapses with the wisdom of giving a choke sign to a college athlete on an opposing team and I wonder about Grantham. Sure enough that hire will help determine if 2011 is the end of the Richt era.”
My friend Joel said he tends to think “it’s a personnel issue more than coaching. DeAngelo Tyson and Abry Jones should be playing DE, not nose tackle, especially in the 3-4, where (I’ve heard over and over) you need a really big space eater at the position. I wonder about the development of Kwame Geathers and Justin Anderson, both of whom are big bodies.”
But watching a replay of the Tech game particularly bothered Joel. “Bob Davie was pointing out that the interior gaps in the 3-4 defense are very wide, and Tech was simply running through those gaps. I’m no expert on defense, but I would assume that the linebackers are supposed to fill those gaps and they clearly were not. Maybe Grantham was willing to give up the inside runs to protect against the pitch, but they hurt us outside as well. I’d also note that Duke held Tech to 100 yards less offense that we did and, more telling, Tech only converted four of 13 first downs against Duke, while converting seven of 12 against us. Nobody can tell me that Duke has better personnel on defense than UGA.
“I do think Grantham is a smart coach — I remember Wade Phillips saying he was the most overqualified D-line coach in the NFL — and maybe with a year under his belt we’ll see some improvement. I also remember reading an article in the preseason that quoted some former players as saying that fans should not expect an immediate turnaround on defense, that it will take time to learn the new scheme and get the right personnel in place. I’d say that so far he’s been proven right.”
My old buddy Dan said he saw “little to no improvement on the defense this season other than the turnovers. Clearly that was due to a more attacking defense in place of the Willie Martinez style of waiting (until the other team was in the endzone, too often) and reacting.”
But, Dan said, “I am inclined to give Grantham one more year with his style players. I do fault any coach that coaches to his preferred style over the talent he has. … For Grantham to point to a lack of a nose guard for failure of his defense raises the more basic question of why was the defensive coordinator running a defense he did not have the personnel to play. He knew after spring practice what he had. His job is to design a defense with what he has.”
My brother Tim thought the biggest problem on defense was the lack of size on the line. “We were just overmatched by the big offensive lines we faced. All the deficiencies in the defense this year can be attributed to the line. (This is true for offense as well.) If you make plays at the line or behind the line it makes the other parts of your defense better. Defensive backs don’t have to cover as long, and you get more pressure. If it takes two offensive linemen to take on your defensive tackle(s) then your linebackers can make the plays.”
The outlook isn’t that bright either, Tim said. “I don’t think you can recruit enough players to turn it around in less than two years. Grantham was pretty much stuck with the players we signed last year, which mainly consisted of light, fast defensive end/linebacker types and defensive backs.”
My friend Carl over in Athens agrees. “I do think it’s a bit early to make any judgements on Grantham. He’ll need AT LEAST two years to get it turned totally around. Manny Diaz had considerably more talent at MSU. I have never been comfortable with the JUCO route, but right now I don’t see much other way to go. At least in the short term. I heard David Greene on ‘The Bulldog Brunch’ say that in 2002 the defense was so deep that Thomas Davis and Greg Blue were second stringers. Now, that was some fast defense in 2002. Boss Bailey, et al. All we have now on defense is fat, slow guys. Hopefully, this new move in S&C will be a big help. Couldn’t get much worse.”
Not a very encouraging picture, is it? What’s your take on Grantham and the Georgia defense?
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310 comments Add your comment
Snake Plissken
December 12th, 2010
11:15 am
What I found sooooooo telling about CTG was during the Tech game and him being taken to task by CPJ. When running the ball the LB would step inside and they’d run outside. When the LB came up outside, they’d run it up inside. CPJ owned the guy. CTG sitting there looking at his sheet with all the formations and CPJ reacting to what he is seeing on the field. Gee wiz CTG is happy that he only faces a triple option once a year. Imagine what would have happened if he didn’t have a bye week to prepare for Tech!!!!!!
Kellina Dawg
December 12th, 2010
11:19 am
Bill, instead of going to all your monday morning quarterback friends, why don’t you go to the source, Todd Grantham. I’m sure you will get a more informed and qualified answer.
AltamahaDawg
December 12th, 2010
11:23 am
Who were you screaming at?
guy
December 12th, 2010
11:24 am
He already opted for the 3-4 defense when he was hired without evaluating the available talent.I should say the lack of available talent.
I love UGA,but folks,we are a long way from a championship caliber program.
AltamahaDawg
December 12th, 2010
11:29 am
Was Hamilton, and Rambo part of the “best defense in 30 years” selection team you were playing up this summer, BuLLdawg?
Playing a schedule that had ONE good team on it all year? Aubun was no good, SC was no good, Arkansas was no good.
That ONE team being run by that outstanding QB Brantley that you bragged about being so much better prepared that our “weakarm, fragile, slow, poor desicion making” excuse for a QB.
rilo
December 12th, 2010
12:00 pm
I THINK CMR sees the writing on the wall. You can’t just keep replacing coaches. At some point you need to realize you have as much size and talent as the next team but you have to get them prepared to play at a higher level. Our linemen (O & D) were dominated on the line most games. The Tech game (where we couldn’t stop them with 30 defensive players) was telling. Internal sources have told me that the workout routines have slacked over the years. We have to work these kids harder in the off season. If you look at Auburn, their O line dominated every game. It all starts in the Gym and the off-season workouts. If we can turn it around here, we will contend again.
doggoneit
December 12th, 2010
12:03 pm
Grantham and Stacy Searles are both big time busts! I support Mark Richt, but I’m afraid these hires may cost him his job. Against Ga Tech, you would have thought Tech runs a pro style offense with Tom Brady at QB. That’s not how Iowa stopped Tech’s triple option in last years bowl games. Grantham didn’t need to reinvent the wheel. Just watch the Iowa tape. We have an easier schedule in 2011 that South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee and should win the SEC east with a decent defense, but with Grantham running our defense, I just don’t see that happening .
Delbert D.
December 12th, 2010
12:21 pm
A 3-4 nose tackle has to take on a double-team by the center and one of the guards and still hold one of the A-gaps. A 290-295 lb guy is not the needed size for that position. One of the JUCO players *might* be the solution.
LakeDawg
December 12th, 2010
12:44 pm
The problems start and end with the D line. People tend to over look the lines of scrimmage when rating recruiting classes. The lines of scrimmage are the most important part of a team. Teams can win with 3 star skill position talent if they have superior lines. UGA has sufficient talent at LB and DB, but have recruited woefully at the D line position the last 3 years. However, in the 3-4 you only need a couple of hawgs to turn it around. I would recommend going the JUCO route to supplement the recruiting class. Richt doesn’t have the time to wait on new recruits to grow up.
bart
December 12th, 2010
12:52 pm
I agree with doggoneit, the Grantham hire might very well cost Richt his job. The guy doesn’t appear to have a clue. Richt screwed up big time when he did not hire DeRuyter as his DC. It pains me to see how the caliber of the Bulldog program has been deteriorating the last few years. Frankly, I don’t see Richt being able to turn it around. I hope I’m wrong, but I’m pessimistic about the future as long as Richt remains the head coach. And I have been a huge supporter of his, but the guy is making almost 3 million dollars a year. He has to produce.
No Deal
December 12th, 2010
1:14 pm
Grantham makes $750,000—the way his defense played, he didn’t earn $75,000. He better produce big next year or richt needs to send him packing back to the nfl.
GT FAN
December 12th, 2010
1:20 pm
It will take 3 years to covert to this defense. Trust me. The big freshmen need to red shirt to become bigger. You can never have enough size on the line. PLus you need to recuit fast, players who are also smart at linebacker since they will have to make most of the reads. The question is, how long are you dawg fans willing to wait.
GT FAN
December 12th, 2010
1:21 pm
?
A fool's question
December 12th, 2010
1:35 pm
The only question that should be asked is how much longer to get rid of CMR?
Teams like Florida dont play on second and third tier. There management is fast, precise and studied.
GAINESVILLE, Florida. (AP)—Maybe Will Muschamp got tired of waiting.
The defensive coordinator and heir apparent at Texas jumped to Florida on Saturday night, taking over one of the premier jobs in college football and replacing two-time national champion Urban Meyer.
“This is a dream come true,” Muschamp said in a statement.
Muschamp will be introduced at a news conference Tuesday evening.
AdChoices
He also will be reunited with a place he used to call home. Muschamp spent 10 years in Gainesville as a kid, graduated from Georgia and coached at Auburn and LSU.
We could have had him over CMR and we could have had strong. Instead we are stuck with a downward program and a sport writer who asks the wrong questions
A fool's question
December 12th, 2010
1:36 pm
*Their management
Bad Dawg, Bad Dawg
December 12th, 2010
1:41 pm
6-6, and losses to EVERY SEC team that matters. Any more questions?
ol' balls coach
December 12th, 2010
1:58 pm
Hate to be a negative Dawg fan – but one more year from Grantham and he AND Richt are gone. No improvement over the course of the season means bad coaching. Big hiring mistake to go NFL, and it appears it will be the final nail.
Magnolia,Tx dawg
December 12th, 2010
2:42 pm
I hope Howdy Doody, McGarity, will change things at UGA, but I doubt it. He is more of a worthless hire than Grantham.
Dawg Tired
December 12th, 2010
2:48 pm
For all those folks saying our recruiting needs to improve: (1) That could be true based upon the record of the team these last two years; (2) However, in light of the fact that basically every recruiting class we’ve had the last 8 years or so has been ranked in the top 10 (some even in the top 5) in the nation, I wonder how we can get much better at recruiting; and (3) could it possibly be that we are simply not very well coached?
Canton DAWG
December 12th, 2010
2:49 pm
Yep. The defense is what is holding the DAWS back so I do not understand all the criticism of CRM and Bobo. The Auburn and Tech games should give us all concern for next year. One additional thing that I would add that did improve was a reduction in penalties on defense probably a result of the secondary using better techniques.
Fair and Balanced
December 12th, 2010
3:14 pm
GA got outscored 6 times in the season and averaged over 30 points per game. Offense ain’t hurting us – its the defense stupid!
Fair and Balanced
December 12th, 2010
3:29 pm
The bottom line is that Richt had better do the necessary, if he can figure out what that is. 3 declining seasons in a row! Tried to fix the defense. Now trying to strengthen team with promotion of JT. Not at all sure this is going to work. Talking now of recruits – new coach on that too? After all I’ve read on this blog, it almost looks like Richt is reading it here and responding with hires that bloggers here would like. Ahaaa! Maybe this is the problem – CMR not leading at all. He is reading blogs and trying to make fans happy. Ya wanna make us happy? Win games! Simple. For goodness sake, don’t listen to us here on this blog! What do we know?!
Dusty
December 12th, 2010
3:30 pm
Grantham had a better year than Muschamp in fumbles recovered, and in defensive scoring.
Barack Dawg
December 12th, 2010
3:42 pm
If you want to have the defense improve then the offense has to improve. They scored points but they scored quick when they did and they did not have long sustained drives. The defense played close to 200 plays against Tech and Auburn both with stout rushing offenses. The GA offense probably ran 100 plays at the most in those games. So while it is great with a good QB and AJ Green that does not help the defense when it comes to the stats you are trying to look at.
3 things did matter this year on defense:
1. We won the turn over battle by a big margin if you compare this year to last.
2. We won the penalty battle this year with a drastic improvement this year.
3. We did not have all the key personnel for the 3 – 4 and you can’t be aggressive in ANY defense when your players are learning what they need to do and having to think about it. Once they KNOW the defense and can act then you will see the aggression come out.
Now – you will note that we never took our foot off the throttle this year when we were winning and that is a big diffence to Taco’s defense. He would always go to a prevent garbage scheme.
I would look for more improvement next year and especially if we get the big plug NT that we need.
Paint
December 12th, 2010
3:44 pm
..and now longhorn recruits are being told randy shannon is their new dc. good for the real ut, shame on uga. don’t mind muschamp at florida, but the trickle down from the move is amazing to see as uga sits still and watches other programs be proactive. yes it would have been expensive to fire grantham and bring in shannon, but he was there for the taking. figure in the fact that jason garrett’s interim dc was promoted from grantham’s old spot and you have the potential that grantham might be headed back to dallas as dc if garrett is given the reigns and a contract. it’s expensive for grantham to leave, but jerry jones has deeper pockets than uga. fine with me.
i don’t believe that we (uga) will attract a lateral move proven hc. that’s delusional. keep solace in the fact that whether he is at bama or uf, kirby will remain an assistant and in 2012 or 2013 he will hopefully be given the opportunity of hc at uga.
doctor
December 12th, 2010
3:46 pm
they are all wind and smoke—–no action—no running game—no real good running backs—sorry you wont win in the SEC without a running game—-aint gonna happen. Richt never did really make the adjustment from acc to sec—he refuses to face it—————therefore—-well—-yall know the deal. It aint gonna get any easier from here—-its not just the defense—–Georgia has just grown soft—-they are nothing what like they used to be back in the day. I dont know the answer. Vince Lombardi?
Old Dawg Fan
December 12th, 2010
3:56 pm
Let me make sure I undestand this. Grantham doesn’t have enough sense to know his “line” is “too small” to run the 3-4 but still does it.
No wonder we were embarassed all year long. It is “NOT” going to get any better any time soon. The roster for this up and coming year is basically the same which means our “defense” will be the same because our DC won’t change. This same “no change” seems to be a “major problem” in Athens-just continue down the same road!!!!
Dawgaholic30286
December 12th, 2010
4:39 pm
If you read the sports reports about Grantham in Cleveland and Dallas papers before he came to UGA you will see some very familiar complaints from fans and writers alike….no consistant pressure on the QB…..arm tackling led to missed tackles….defensive backs play way off the receiver giving too much room……..and the defense can’t stop them on third and long….It appears Grantham was hired because he is the antithesis of Richt (bad guy/good guy) not because of his coaching abilities…..Georgia will never win a championship of any kind with Grantham…..
Tech Fan Since 1950
December 12th, 2010
4:40 pm
We love Grantham’s defense! Now, if we could just play defense.
Snoop Dawg
December 12th, 2010
4:53 pm
Grantham would be a better head coach than Mark Richt. Come to think of it, almost anyone–including your grandmother–would be a better head coach than da Preacha Man.
Ringleader
December 12th, 2010
5:21 pm
What is the first year verdict?
To avoid an F…………..I give it an incomplete……..
RJ
December 12th, 2010
5:26 pm
Fire CMR after we loose the Liberty Bowl to Central Florida.Then lets hire Kirby Smart to replace CMR,
NOBODYYOUKNOW
December 12th, 2010
5:51 pm
I was shocked by how easy Tech moved the ball against UGA. UGA has been known for its big tough defense. But some how, some way, its gone fans. I’ve admired CMR every since he came to Athens. He’s a class guy. But I’m begining to queston his coaching ability.
AltamahaDawg
December 12th, 2010
6:58 pm
Old Dawg, So what you would have suggested is that he spent the entire offseason getting ready to run a 4-3 that he does not have as much experience with, and then switch gears when he does recruit some size, (by everybody’s account he is trying to do in this recruiting cycle) therefore having TWO years of transistion instead of one? I’m guessing he had enough sense to realize that he needed to go ahead and put into place what he is going to be running going forward rather than what he was not. I think everybody (if SEC media and coaches know anything) agreed that they were not likely to be a very good defense either way. Does it really make sense for him to have to screwed around a year doing what he were brought in to do?
Vick=Dog killing Thug
December 12th, 2010
8:10 pm
I thought the D had improved somewhat until the GT game. It was painful to watch those bugs run on us so easily.
One thing no one seems to pick up on is the tension between Grantham and Richt. They are like oil and water. Richt is a slick pretty boy and Grantham a blue collar cable guy.
I don’t think Grantham is happy in Athens but he will stick it out for a couple of years. Regardless I do NOT miss Soft Willie.
Anyone got a handle on any big JUCO linemen? Those big uglies are a premium for any team. Dawgs will be lucky to find a top rate Nose tackle.
Vick=Dog killing Thug
December 12th, 2010
8:12 pm
Another thing I wonder is why so few people can use the word lose correctly? Caleb King may wear his pants loose but Tech will always lose to UGA
saban
December 12th, 2010
8:40 pm
The blind leading the blind.
Plant manager
December 12th, 2010
9:25 pm
We just installed a new CNC laser but we only have punch press operators to run the new machines until we can train some guys. Yathink the share holders will approve?
Home of the Braves
December 12th, 2010
9:53 pm
Any word on how the recruits liked their trip to Athens this weekend? All I’ve been able to find is reports on which players won awards. I’m way more interested in news on the recruits.
Al
December 12th, 2010
9:57 pm
Good read Jeff but here is the bottom line as to what needs to transpire.
McGarity to CMR – Mark this is going to be a real short meeting. In fact just onc sentence.
CMR to McGarity – Oh, and what might that be?
McGarity to CMR – You win the SEC East next year or you pack your bags
McGarity – Meeting adjourned.
Grantham Sucks
December 12th, 2010
10:14 pm
Grantham is a disgrace. He’s just a thug like the players he supposedly coaches.
Jess
December 12th, 2010
10:38 pm
They outta double Grantham’s salary. They wouldn’t a won a single game without him.
Vandy? 0 points scored.
La Laf? 7 points
Id St? 7 pts
Tenn? Forced 4 to’s
Kentucky? forced 4 to’s
Ga Tech? Forced 3 to’s and had 2 4th down stops, and 2 4th quarter stops
Also held South Carolina to lowest point total dring the 12 game season.
Offense couldn’t win 1 game for Georgia: Colorado, South Carolina, Auburn, needed the offense to tyake advantage of those llousy defenses and score 40 points a game.
William the 3rd
December 12th, 2010
10:57 pm
Defense ranked:
25th against run, 29th against pass, 21st total defense
Offense ranked:
71st in run, 41st in pass, 54 in total offense
Gregory
December 12th, 2010
11:00 pm
Look at the running game.
Georgia went from 5th in SEC in 2008, to 7th in 2009, now dropping to 10th in 2010.
Bobo just can’t get the running game going, and it gets worse every year he’s there.
The Dogs get about 150 rushing a game, bout #75 in the country.
When you look at who’s winning the SEC, the Floridas, Auburns, and Bamas, even South Caorlina this season, they all emphasize the run.
Bobo needs to be out in the WAC, where you can win by passing.
John
December 12th, 2010
11:03 pm
Was Georgia’s offense good this year, or did they score a lot of points, on bad defenses?
La Laf–ranked #115 in scoring defense, 38 points a game
Vandy- ranked #91 in scoring defense, 31 points a game
Colorado- #84 in sco def, 30 points a game average
Kentucky- #80 in sco def, 29 points a game average
Tenneessee- #63 in scor def, 26 points a game average
Auburn- #59 in scoring defense, 26 points a game
How did Georgia do against good defense?
Scored 6 on South Carolina.
Scored 12 on Miss St.
BoWeevil
December 12th, 2010
11:37 pm
BOWL GAME PREDICTIONS :
7-3 SEC in Bowl Games
6-2 Big XII
4-4 ACC
3-2 BIG EAST
3-1 MAC
3-2 CUSA
2-2 MWC
2-4 BIG TEN
1-2 SUNBELT
1-2 WAC
0-5 PAC-10
Scott
December 13th, 2010
12:15 am
I’d say, without these 4 mistakes from the offense, Georgia would be 10-2, instead of 6-6.
a) Ealey fumble against South Carolina
b) King fumble against Colorado
c) Murray sack at end of Arkansas
d) Murray int in OT against Florida
BoWeevil
December 13th, 2010
1:17 am
If a Bullfrog had wings, he could fly instead of bumping his buns on the rocks.
We could have LOST to both Kentucky and to Georgia tek, obviously, just as easily.
We are :
# 73 NCAA 1st Downs
6-6, beat NO EVEN REASONABLY GOOD TEAM
DISNEYdawgs.com
AltamahaDawg
December 13th, 2010
7:18 am
Is DISNEYdawgs.com where you can find links to people telling everybody else how much they know about football saying the Dawgs would win the East? I’m just wondering what kind of content they have on that site. You seem to be a big fan.
Snake Doc
December 13th, 2010
8:10 am
Not sure Grantham gets an F but the D sure does. However, I’m not sure if its the scheme Grantham brought in, or if the problems on D are the fact that the collective IQ of the D is below average for a mentally handicapped gnat! so I’m saying stupid is as stupid does and UGA has some of the dumbest athletes on the planet. don’t comment to me about grad rates gpa’s. A gnat can pass basket weaving 99A.