Todd Grantham: ‘I understand who UGA fans want to beat’
Todd Grantham briefs the media, admits meeting Jessica Simpson. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Athens – Let’s stipulate that one or two folks on this planet care deeply about how the Dallas Cowboys fare on given autumn Sundays. But even at the highest level of pro football, there’s a difference in passion between that found in the college game, and this was reflected on, of all places, AJC.com.
A guy (blush) asked readers to submit questions for Todd Grantham. Within 12 hours came more than 350 suggestions. Yes, some were impertinent, but the majority were detailed and incisive, and that says all you need to know about the interest/scrutiny Georgia’s new defensive coordinator will encounter.
And Grantham, to his credit, welcomes it. (At least he did Friday, though it must be noted his first in-person media briefing came well before a Grantham-coached Georgia defense has lost a game.) “That’s the reason I wanted to take this job,” he said. “I understand the passion. I understand who Georgia fans want to beat and where they want to be. And I feel like we can achieve that.”
Grantham has spent the past decade working in the NFL. Not to go all Charlie Weis on you, but it’s clear Georgia’s new DC believes his new team will have a schematic advantage because of his background. Here, responding to a question submitted by Luke, was Grantham’s response about the ongoing quest of pro teams to exploit matchups, as opposed simply to playing a basic defense every down:
“The last 11 years I’ve been dealing with matchups, and that’s what you have to do in the NFL. You don’t get guys running free to the quarterback very often; the best you can hope for is getting a one-on-one. We’re going to find ways to make [opponents] in pass protection make blocks, whether it’s a back kept in or an offensive lineman.”
The 3-4 defense remains a relative novelty in collegiate circles, and that’s one reason Grantham considers it well suited to defuse exotic offenses. (See: Florida’s spread or Paul Johnson’s option. This question was offered by Chem.) “I don’t think there’s any question [the 3-4] can be better,” Grantham said. “We don’t have to declare our pass rusher until we see the formation. We can adjust.
“With the 4-3, you know the four guys who stick their hands in the dirt are going to rush. One of the things about the 3-4 is that you know one of those four [linebackers] is going to be coming 95 percent of the time. You just don’t know which one.”
Grantham has already gone recruiting — he passed his NCAA-mandated test, Steve Spurrier should know — but said Georgia isn’t suddenly in the market for every Grady Jackson lookalike of tender years. (This question was submitted by doodoo bailey and Suwaneedawg.)
“There are two types of 3-4,” Grantham said. “There’s the New England type, where you’ve got a big massive guy up front. We’re going to be a 1-gap team. In Dallas we had Jay Ratliff [a stripling at 303 pounds] make the Pro Bowl. We’ll have a standard [for nose tackles] as we go forward, but we also have to have position flexibility.”
Todd Grantham, you should know, is an impressive guy. He says much of what you’d expect — “We want to be physical and aggressive and relentless … We want the other team, when they get done playing you, not to want to play you again” — but says it in a way that makes you believe he can deliver. He made it known he expects UGA fans to deliver, too.
“I’ve heard [Georgia fans] bark when [a defender] makes a play,” he said, smiling. “Is that true? That’s my question to them.”
One thing more: The guy who asked readers to submit questions posed one of his own, this on a matter of global importance. While with the Cowboys, did Grantham meet Jessica Simpson?
“I did,” he said. Then, kidding, he pointed to reporters’ tape recorders on the table. “Turn those off.” Then this: “I can tell this little story. I was sitting in my office one Tuesday watching film [here he mimicked a guy reared back in a chair with a remote in his hand], and Tony [Romo, Simpson's former flame] walked by. He said, ‘Hi, Todd.’ Then someone else said, ‘Hi, Todd.’
“I’m like this. [Mimicking craning his neck around a corner.] It was Jess. Nice girl. Nice girl.”
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432 comments Add your comment
De' truth
January 22nd, 2010
4:56 pm
And my Daddy can beat up your Daddy. That’s the general tone and level of this discourse.
Subject to
January 22nd, 2010
4:56 pm
@taggart trans……… you re right, I was wrong with my wording.. I meant to say lack of disciplined players. My apologies.
Taggart Transcontinental
January 22nd, 2010
4:56 pm
Good point 1eye, Mettenberger might just surprise some folks and give Murray a run for his money. Logan will surely move to another position to utilize his great talent. We have a very good problem at the QB position. Too many good ones.
TampaGator
January 22nd, 2010
4:57 pm
Go to an AJC sports blog at this time last year and you will read the same crap from Georgia fans then….how Georgia is going to take down the Gators this year. In fact, you can go back 17 out of the last 20 years and read the same crap from Georgia fans. Brag about something (and what your team is going to do) when you have done something consistently against the Gators in modern day football would you, please. Give me a break.
1eyedJack
January 22nd, 2010
4:57 pm
Yeller Fuzz, Murray can throw. He ain’t gonna be running for first downs…We got Caleb and Washaun for that….remember?
Taggart Transcontinental
January 22nd, 2010
4:58 pm
And to whomever posted in regards to Murray’s height, don’t worry. He wouldn’t have had 50+ FBS offers if he wasn’t awesome. EVERYONE wanted him (UF, FSU, USC, Texas, …..) but he chose UGA. Love it.
shane#1
January 22nd, 2010
5:02 pm
I am intrested to see if CTG plays situational defense and adjust his lineup during the game. I can see inserting Washington or Houston or both in passing situations. The Cowboys often send rushers out of the three point stance. Pro players are so specialized and pro coaches are always looking for a matchup advantage. I don’t think we will see the same eleven guys lined up in the base defense like we did with Willie. IMO, the 4-3 is one reason you so seldom see option offenses in the pros. Most spread team QBs only read the rush end and the free safety, a defense that could rush anyone at any time has to make spread QBs nervous. I would also like to see more movement from the UGA LBs before the snap. I want to see LBs flip flop, fake the blitz, and the free safety moving around. Anything to get into the QB’s head.
jerry
January 22nd, 2010
5:04 pm
POWERDAWG. It is a pity all you have to talk about is UF coming down. Couldn’t you think of anything positive to say about UGA?
shane#1
January 22nd, 2010
5:06 pm
My bad, I meant the 3-4 is one reason option offenses are not popular in the pros. I need a beer!
Ron Zook
January 22nd, 2010
5:08 pm
George Edwards–The New Willie Martinez! , and Grantham is the new Van Gorder! hahaha
DaddyDawg
January 22nd, 2010
5:09 pm
Option offenses have never been popular in the pros because the QB simply can’t take the beating from professional athletes with their size, speed and strength. It doesn’t have anything to do with the 3-4, 4-3 or any other defense……….
Ga Gator
January 22nd, 2010
5:11 pm
TampaGator, their hatred and obsession with the Gators in unlimited, its the price of success.
1eyedJack
January 22nd, 2010
5:11 pm
As for the defense…not to worry. We’ve tons of good young talent stockpiled from the past two classes. They’ll have one more year of grits and groceries down their necks, a year of weight lifting, a year of mat drills, one more year of practice under their belts.
This new staff needs to drive them ’til they drop and grind into ‘em that snarling, bloody forehead, Junkyard Dawg heritage and attitude we all long to see.
They could struggle early but thankfully this year we have a puff game or two to work out some kinks.
Advocare 100
January 22nd, 2010
5:12 pm
No more blowout losses to the Gators ?
De' fact
January 22nd, 2010
5:12 pm
“POWERDAWG. It is a pity all you have to talk about is UF coming down. Couldn’t you think of anything positive to say about UGA?”
jerry’s ‘lude just wore off.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
January 22nd, 2010
5:12 pm
Beware the coach who does not credit the head coach in an initial interview. Beware!
They painted my a$$!
Fidel
January 22nd, 2010
5:14 pm
I’ll take Willie back.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
January 22nd, 2010
5:18 pm
I was a happy enough dog before they called me and asked me to be Georgia’s mascot. They didn’t mention anything about “temporary” to me at first. Temporary came out later. Then, the a$$ painting. Now, my life is in shambles. My a$$ hurts. I am continuously sitting in thinner. My fur is a mess and I’ve suffered hair loss. I have a comb over on my a$$! It’s a combover no self respecting sportswriter would endure – how can I? Good luck to Coach Grantham. My advice to him would be, watch your a$$.
Vince's Dooley
January 22nd, 2010
5:25 pm
shane#1, sounds like they should have hired you and saved 650K.
Elmore Spencer
January 22nd, 2010
5:26 pm
TampaGator, their hatred and obsession with the Gators in unlimited, its the price of success.
Still got a ways to go to catch us all time. Just shows how dominant UGA was at one point
GaGator
January 22nd, 2010
5:27 pm
Your new DC is just a little bite out of line when he says, “we are bringing in an aggressive 3-4 defense.” He said that the day he was hired.
I seriously doubt he has had time evaluate Georgia’s defensive personnel.
If he was so smart, he would have said, “we will run the defense best suited for the players we. I want a 3-4 defense and we may have to recuite the players we need before we can run it.”
GaGator
January 22nd, 2010
5:30 pm
Ga Gator
TampaGator, their hatred and obsession with the Gators in unlimited, its the price of success
Hey friend, I have had this handle(GaGator) for 9 months, maybe you could get another
one.
Ga Gator
January 22nd, 2010
5:30 pm
Elmore Spencer, you are correct about the all time but it is getting close and if Mark Richt will just stay for another 10 years we will pass you. Heck, I was born in the early 50’s and in my lifetime we have a winning record against UGA.
Mascot Selection Committee
January 22nd, 2010
5:31 pm
Russ:
I regret to inform you that you have not been selected as permanent mascot. The fact that you look the same regardless of which end is sighted led to confusion by some committee members and ultimately to your exclusion. Good luck on your future endeavors. BTW, have you thought of painting yourself yellow and black and becoming a “Buzz”? Your ugliness would be a plus.
CO Springs Lady Dawg
January 22nd, 2010
5:32 pm
Russ, rumor has it that Grantham is a notorious A$$ painter. So, your days are numbered.
Ga Gator
January 22nd, 2010
5:32 pm
GaGator, mine has a space, cowboy.
GaGator
January 22nd, 2010
5:37 pm
I assure that will still confuse these dawg fans.
Ga Gator
January 22nd, 2010
5:39 pm
GaGator, I agree but if they think hiring a new DC is going to win them championships they are already confused.
FLA DAWG
January 22nd, 2010
5:44 pm
Now we have a Pro coaching the “D”.
I smell another Erk Russel in this guy.
The only weak coaching area now remaining is Bobo.
FLA DAWG
January 22nd, 2010
5:46 pm
Ga Gator (s),
You’re both morons.
Fight announcer
January 22nd, 2010
5:47 pm
And in this corner, in purple leotards, we have Ga(mine has a space, cowboy)Gator and over here, under this rock we have, in orange bloomers GaGator(I’m the real thing!). OK you two, slither out here and we’ll let you lizards settle this.
GaGator
January 22nd, 2010
5:54 pm
I have never seen people get so excited about a 3-4 defense.
Has anyone consider whether or not the dawgs have the personnel
to run it?
GaGator
January 22nd, 2010
6:01 pm
Maybe the reason you don’t do too well against the GATORS, is you really think
your playing lizards. All I can tell you is, you are either a Gator or your Gator-bait.
Big Daddy Lipscomb
January 22nd, 2010
6:02 pm
My defense? I grabs a whole bunch of them peoples in the other uniforms and sorts thru ‘em ’til I find the one with the ball. I throws him on the ground.
Ms. Correctness
January 22nd, 2010
6:07 pm
We may be gator-bait but YOUR(sic.) in need of English lessons.
maddawg
January 22nd, 2010
6:10 pm
GaGator,
which one was Bama??
1eyedJack
January 22nd, 2010
6:10 pm
Clijsters out, Henin advances at Aussie Open
Had to read that headline twice…thought they meant Sonny Clusters. Might lose the Dairy Queen endorsement.
Jessica Simpson
January 22nd, 2010
6:11 pm
Grantham is going from 11 All Americans on D to 0 All Americans on his future D.
From Americas Team to a Second Tier Team
Dawg 3/20
January 22nd, 2010
6:12 pm
It has been a tough 2 Decades for a Florida Dawg huh?
Dawg Hatin' Jacket
January 22nd, 2010
6:14 pm
THWG. Just because.
hunkered down
January 22nd, 2010
6:29 pm
Great hire dawg fans!
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=ncf&pollId=84764
Ray Goof
January 22nd, 2010
6:53 pm
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=ncf&pollId=84764... this doesnt look too good nationally huh ? oh well sos for dawgs….
Kirby Smart
January 22nd, 2010
6:53 pm
Urban – leave the Dawg fans alone. Bama owns you gator biatches!!! I think UGA still owns the overall record which means you have done well for the last 20 years but before that they must have regularly kicked your ass like Bama. I think UGA will be tough and we will be prepared to play them often for the SEC Championship in the coming years. RTR…
Urban Meyer
January 22nd, 2010
6:56 pm
Kirby Smart – You leave us Gator biatches alone or I will come up there and burn down your trailer park. I have the recruits coming in and they know the deal. I will leave on Feb 4 and will then announce that I am going to be the head coach of the Oakland Raiders. The gators will have a solid recruiting class with absolutely no inclination on how to coach but they should be fine.
1eyedJack
January 22nd, 2010
6:57 pm
Ray, it’s time for the second shift. Good night.
bamadawg
January 22nd, 2010
6:57 pm
An AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE…Thank God! Haven’t seen one of those since the UGA destruction of Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl!
1eyedJack
January 22nd, 2010
7:00 pm
Mr. Goof, it’s time for you to get to work, the second shift is starting at the QuikTrip. Good night.
CharlieCharlie
January 22nd, 2010
7:01 pm
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
How old are you kid? Is it that you just never have anything intelligent to say, or , that you have problems communicating with adults?
Urban Meyer
January 22nd, 2010
7:02 pm
Kirby you leave Tebow alone or I am going to go gangsta on that arse….
PHIL
January 22nd, 2010
7:06 pm
GA GATOR did you ever decide if that title was an oxymoron or just a moron?