Heat Check: Grantham needs to sit; Johnson needs to chill
Todd Grantham is shown here debating the finer points of decorum.
Our weekly Heat Check arrives a day late due to Columbus Day. (Wait. That was last week? Never mind.) And we start at the obvious boiling-over point.
Todd Grantham, Georgia: He’s proving he’s a good defensive coordinator. (The Bulldogs rank eighth nationally in total defense.) He’s also showing he’s a bully. Giving the choke sign to an opposing player was bush league. Getting into it with the Vanderbilt coach — the Vanderbilt coach, I emphasize — after a victory tainted the whole winning effort and cheapened the Bulldogs’ brand, which had been in the process of undergoing some needed touch-up.
It’s one thing for players to get excited and stomp on a logo. (Georgia managed that trick at Vandy a while back.) It’s another for a grown man — Grantham is 45, which means he meets the Mike Gundy standard for grown-man status — to embarrass the program twice in 12 months. And I don’t buy the whole I’m-just-standing-up-for-my-players line: You can stand up for your players without baying at the moon.
(An aside here: I’d also be careful about angering this Vandy coach. James Franklin is going to beat some big names very soon.)
Don’t know what the SEC will do regarding Grantham. Don’t know if the SEC will do anything. Were I Greg McGarity and/or Mark Richt, I’d suspend Grantham for one game.
And who does Georgia play next? Florida. Yes, it’s a massive game for this football program. But sitting Grantham would also send a massive message: This is not how we do it at Georgia.
Now, do I think such a suspension will occur? Nope. But it should. Heat Index: Too darn hot.
Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech: His team lost at Virginia and looked bad doing it. His postgame briefing was a classic in sardonic semi-humor. A highlight was PJ’s description of the long field goal attempt that was kicked “into the back of the line.” The word “bonehead” was invoked. From a dispassionate perspective, these sessions are always entertaining. That said …
I wonder, not for the first time, how Johnson’s players take them. No, they’re not in the room for his media sessions, but I’d imagine they read the highlights somewhere. I also imagine they hear similar sentiments expressed by PJ himself behind closed doors. And it’s undeniable that the feeling around Tech is that the Jackets win only when they do what the coach says and lose whenever they don’t.
And that, if you’re a player, gets old. As smart as a coach is — and Tech’s coach is very smart — he’s not out there getting smacked by 500 pounds of opposing manpower. Johnson is a great play-caller, but somebody wearing shoulder pads does have to make even the clever plays of his work.
I’m sure it’’s a lot of fun to play for Tech when everything’s working and you’re gaining 768 yards, but I wonder how much of a treat it is to be around Johnson when his team just laid an egg in Charlottesville. Can’t blame a coach for wanting more and better — that’s pretty much his job — but I think he needs to cut his men a bit more slack. Heat index: A chill pill for PJ would not be unwarranted.
By Mark Bradley
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900 comments Add your comment
IL Jacket
October 18th, 2011
11:31 am
The SID, that is hilarious-you mean the University’s paid hack. That is a good one SSI, you have real connections.
Sorry but...
October 18th, 2011
11:32 am
When a policeman has to get between coaches on the field, there is a deep anger management problem. These guys are suppose to be coaches. Not WWF promoters.
BlueMoon
October 18th, 2011
11:33 am
More hack “reporting” by the AJC. Let’s do what we can in order to throw the home state school under the bus to create sensatinalism instead of reporting the facts because well, facts, they’re just too dull.
It seems everyone knows that Franklin started this whole thing except Bradley. No wonder I canceled my paper subscription. I’ve just about had it with online version as well. Too many good papers to get ethical reporting than to put up with this.
GeoffDawg
October 18th, 2011
11:33 am
Dense – despite all the eyewitness accounts to the contrary? Omniscience must be very interesting.
Tom, Resident Georgia Fan
October 18th, 2011
11:33 am
No way we suspend Grantham. It was justified and I for one like the man’s fire.
sane dawg
October 18th, 2011
11:34 am
It’s useless to argue with fools who get the facts wrong. Those saying Franklin did no wrong should be ignored … the premise of the discussion is not valid, so don’t waste your time acknowledging their existence.
Dirty Dawg
October 18th, 2011
11:35 am
Mr. Bradley, my a$$…I ain’t ever again gonna have enough respect for you to call you Mister…that assumes that I ever did.
You draw your conclusion – try, convict and sentence – before all the evidence is presented. In particular that which would tend to exculpate Georgia, or at least mitigate some of our reactions…sorta like Mark Richt did in his ‘conversation’ with this Frankllin, aka Lane Kiffin incarnate, guy while they were both still on the field and before CMR had had a chance to talk with anybody on ‘our’ side. I’ve supported Coach Richt throughout and will still, but his reaction should have been more circumspect – apologize that the incident took place, OK, but make it clear that you intend to ‘get to the bottom’ of the damn thing and find out who said what to whom and why…then we’ll see.
As for Franklin saying, ‘when I said something to Coach Grantham about it’…from what I saw on the replay, the jawbonin’ started while they were still ten, or more, yards apart – so just how did he ’say’ anything to Grantham? Undoubtedly, he hollered at him, right after he hollered at Shawn Williams, which is what got Grantham pi$$ed off in the first place. Point being Bradley, when it comes to the University of Georgia, we know where you’re coming from – you haven’t given us the benefit of the doubt in forever, and, frankly, I don’t care if you ever will.
The truth will, hopefully, out on this mess before any ‘action’ is taken, and when it does, Vandy’s role in ‘baiting’ Georgia’s players will be out there for all to see. Wonder how will you handle it then? Probably find yet another fault with Georgia.
GTBob
October 18th, 2011
11:35 am
Richt has to have nightmares about the day he hired Grantham. Grantham was what, the 5th choice? And now he keeps acting like a child and embarrassing the University.
|ll|ill|lilli|||lil|
October 18th, 2011
11:37 am
If you knuckle-draggers would stop and think for a moment (or however long that takes you), the issue is not Grantham getting into a verbal fracas with the Vandy coach, it’s the fact that it was picked up nationally during a slow news weekend in sports and the sportsmedia gurus needed something to twist. Now UGA is in the spotlight, once again, for less-than-stellar newsmaking. Does it make the program any less? No. Does it make the headlines for a few days? Yes. The perceived “Oh s**t….recruits could have seen that!” aspect, while pointless, will also be touted for a few days.
Relax and let it blow over. UGA will do some PR stunts…..people will apologize…..the world continues to turn…..and Mark Richt can continue to barely beat lower-tier teams.
CDawg
October 18th, 2011
11:37 am
This is totally out of line. I think we should at least stick up for our players and our coaches until we know ALL of the details. I think Franklin is very intense and not prone to back down. I think he is probably shading the truth a little about his initial encounter after the game. Mark should not have so readily accepted the story and apologized. His first reaction should have been simply to say that he and Franklin should review the situation and take action with their respective teams if it is warranted. Why would you just assume your guys were the only ones being disrepectful. While it may have been a little over the top, I respect TG for standing up for his team.
Dawg48
October 18th, 2011
11:37 am
@ TomB
See someone said something to you (that was me) that you did not like and you got upset and responded back to them ( me) in a harsh way! ………… Proves my point!
UGAmutt
October 18th, 2011
11:37 am
This is the worst post I’ve ever read. No punches were thrown, no one was arrested and we’re on a bye week so someone has to stir up some kind of story. If they suspend Grantham, then they have to suspend Franklin. Coach to coach is one situation. Opposing Coach to opposing player is something else entirely. Grantham should learn to conduct himself with more class, but at least this guy has a pair to flex. This whole thing is a non-issue that’s been blown way out of proportion by the media. Anyone remember the Notre Dame/Miami brawl? THAT was a suspendable issue. C’mon Mark, don’t jump on the cynic’s bandwagon. I just tried to get on to Bill for not highlighting any of the seriously postive things from that Vandy game and the filter swallowed my post. We’re in the best position to win the East since 2007. That’s a very good thing.
Gbal
October 18th, 2011
11:37 am
A quote from a Vandy OT about the game….. Run with this point of view AJC…. This is from the Nashville paper.
And Mark, I know you are going to give me your answer right after your lunch break.
FROM NASHVILLE PAPER _
Vanderbilt offensive tackle Wesley Johnson said there was lots of “extra-curricular stuff” going on but stopped shy of calling Georgia a dirty team.
“No, they weren’t dirty,” Johnson said. “Speaking from my point of view, I haven’t seen anything so far that would lead to (Georgia being dirty). I know they played hard. They kind of played their defense the same way we play our offense.”
victor
October 18th, 2011
11:37 am
Just for the record, I was at the game and witnessed #36 from Ga talking trash and waving his arms at the Vanderbilt side for most of the 4th quarter. TV did not show this. It is totally disgusting to have these trash talking thugs on the team. I am afraid Richt has lost control. He needs to show Old Testament love not New Testament love. This kind of trash only understands strength.
robodawg
October 18th, 2011
11:38 am
Grantham should be warned (by McGarity, not Richt) that he will be suspended the next time it happens. That’s sufficient for getting animated at an opposing coach when they were having an argument.
Players should be reprimanded by Richt for taunting. Off field punishments will be sufficient.
Players may be suspended for throwing punches. All depends on reviews of what actually happened. That will be the worst part. We may have to face Florida without Kwame. (But if you’re retaliating to a chop block by throwing a punch, yeah, the punch to another guy’s helmet looks worse on TV, but the chop block is far more dangerous.)
Bobby B
October 18th, 2011
11:38 am
I’ve read elsewhere from someone who directly witnessed this “altercation”, said Franklin was the one who heated things up with 2 words toward Grantham, 2 simple words……since this is a G-rated website, I’ll give you a hint — the first word was a verb, the second a pronoun. It makes sense if you watch the footage completely…Grantham is first walking towards Franklin with a bit of a puzzled look and then became enraged quickly…something had to set that off. Grantham certainly should have handled it better, but I’m not understanding how the HEAD COACH at Vandy is getting a pass in the press.
Dawglasville
October 18th, 2011
11:38 am
1. Grantham needs to grow up. 2. Franklin needs to grow up. When the game was over each coach should have taken responsibility for their own team. 3. Some of you guys are jumping hard on the Grantham thing because you know that you are going to have play his defense soon and you are finally getting concerned. Grantham’s defense is pretty fast and they hit pretty hard. The kind of defense that might be real hard to run against if you can’t throw the ball. Some of you might be venting because you are getting a little anxious. Worry about your own coach with his “delicate genius” psyche.
why are all of you so dense?
October 18th, 2011
11:39 am
Franklin didn’t “start” anything. That punk #36, who talked sh-t to the VU sidelines the entire game, did.
Jackie
October 18th, 2011
11:40 am
Mr. Bradley do you have some type of crush on Paul Johnson that makes you think he is super coach. If you gave UGA Tech’s schedule to this point they would be undefeated. Wake up!
Dawg48
October 18th, 2011
11:42 am
@ dense are you from Nashville?
gdawginkalamazoo
October 18th, 2011
11:42 am
It’s Div I fooooootbaaaalll people, if you don’t like it go play intramurals brother.
Franklin has to be the biggest wuss out there. Good God people, suspend Grantham for a game for yelling at somebody? If he punched him then yes take him out, but yelling?
This PC crap is getting old. It’s football. You people calling for a suspension are probably the same ones who think we should read Islamic terrorist the Miranda warning when we bust them. From the time I stepped on a football field in pee wee I heard language that would make a sailor blush.
GTBob
October 18th, 2011
11:42 am
3. Some of you guys are jumping hard on the Grantham thing because you know that you are going to have play his defense soon and you are finally getting concerned.
Vanderbilt had less yards against Elon then UGA. I don’t think anybody is worried.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 18th, 2011
11:42 am
Where is the outrage to fire Saban after he said sh!$ during his press ocnference with the media? He makes 5 MILLION a year to represent Alabama and he cant keep it together during a simple press conference.
GA_DAWG10
October 18th, 2011
11:43 am
What bothers me the most in reading these comments are that so many people here are NOT real Georgia Bulldogs! Just because you put your Bud Light in a UGA coozie doesn’t make you a Dawg. And by focusing on just the short term, trying to win in two weeks, you’re hurting all of us who care about the team, the school and the future of both. Grantham has embarrassed us enough. He needs to be shown the door.
Jason
October 18th, 2011
11:43 am
Todd Grantham is the only fire I see on the Georgia sideline. I think if all of the coaches had some of his emotion UGA could finish off teams when they have them on the ropes. UGA coaches just do not instill the killer instinct that makes good football teams great. That is why we always close on a weak note and leave everyone holding their breath until the very last snap.
blackprix
October 18th, 2011
11:44 am
I don’t care what Johnson says in his media interviews, if GT doesn’t get better on Defense now and years to come, we will not win anything.
savannahdawg
October 18th, 2011
11:44 am
I don’t know what is going to happen and really don’t care. But enough of the DRAMA QUEEN Mr. Bradley. Embarass the program? Really?
This was a shouting match and nothing else. Was there a fight? Were punches thrown? Do players talk smack before and after a game?
I certainly believe in sportsmanship but you people on this blog are out of touch with reality. You want your world to be happy and full of pixie dust.
I am glad UGA has a coach with some fire inside him. This team needs to play with some fire. Don’t condem the spirit, teach them how to use it.
AND STOP ACTING LIKE DAMN DRAMA QUEENS ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!
joey1
October 18th, 2011
11:45 am
uga defensice cord. grantham is a joke a clown.. we does not know how to be professional, no wonder uga is so undicispline. uga is top ten in nation in penalties i swear these bandwagon fans and mutt fans after we lose one game its like the wheels are coming off… what a joke of fans , are you serious???? we lost one game.. yes to a not very good virginia team, but we gt are young and i think we needed to lose, bc now we will not overlook anyone anymore and come more prepared, im sure we kill miami 38-21 and coach pj is not too hrad on his players .. he is real…
DawgLink
October 18th, 2011
11:45 am
When will the AJC get some sports journalists that are worth a crap? All that they employ are clueless. If Grantham was wrong for defending his player, did the Warren County high school coach deserve the beating that those bangers from Hancock did to him? Does the Warren County coach need to be suspended? I think not. You are an idiot.
Vince Doodly
October 18th, 2011
11:45 am
This is the second time something like this has happened with Todd Grantham. The guy is proving he’s a lowlife scumbag. He needs counseling. If that doesnt work fire him.
Alabama | MrSEC.com
October 18th, 2011
11:45 am
[...] Billy Donovan says learning how to win will be key for his young team.4. This writer believes Georgia should sit defensive coordinator Todd Grantham for the Florida game.5. The Bulldogs haven’t been perfect, but they’re in good shape in the SEC East.6. [...]
outkasted
October 18th, 2011
11:46 am
who cares? last I checked GA won… this is a much needed bye week Olgetree coming back healthy, Mitchell coming back healthy, Crowell gets much needed rest to get back healthy, Washington coming back from suspension… all hands should be on deck Oct. 29th…. Go Dawgs!!
yearofthedawg
October 18th, 2011
11:47 am
I agree with Dawg48 and DallasDawg… can we focus on football!
Alphare
October 18th, 2011
11:47 am
Grantham did on purpose so that no UGA fans complain about dawg’s defense against Vandy.
Vandy scored a total of 3 points in 2 prior games, but scored 27 points against Grantham coached UGA.
Yes, if I were Grantham, I would do it too to distract UGA fans. It works. Just read UGA fans’ postings, they are all defending Grantham as a good DC, instead of complaining his team giving up 27 points to the allmighty Vandy.
Tim
October 18th, 2011
11:47 am
Is all of that Grantham’s fault, Mark? Surely, the great Franklin did absolutely nothing wrong and is blameless in this manner. Why don’t you and Jeff let this story die its own death and move on as the NFL has done with the Lions-49ers deal? I assume you can find more newsworthy things to write about. You and Shultz need a one-game suspension from the AJC from covering UGA games for some of the crazy stuff both of you write. How do you really know ALL that happened by BOTH teams the whole game?
GA_DAWG10
October 18th, 2011
11:49 am
And THAT’s the problem. UGA has become a “win at all cost” mentality. Nothing about representing the school or teaching young men. I love UGA, two degrees including my MBA from Terry, but how will I feel about the next UGA student-athlete who wants to apply for a job with me? If he learned anything from Coach Grantham, it will be a short interview.
NYCDAWGFAN
October 18th, 2011
11:49 am
Every so often you can tell that Bradley never strapped it up and played any type of organized football. His rant about Grantham is garbage. As a former player I know that a coach that would stand up for us players means the world. We need a coach with fire to balance the even keel attitudes of Richt and Bobo. Bradley get a life. Grantham should get a raise for what he did! Watch the tape closely, you will see Franklin say something to Williams which led to Grantham blowing up. He may have gone a lil too far but, A HEAD COACH GOING AFTER A PLAYER IS FAR WORSE THAN A DC BLOWING UP ON ANOTHER COACH. Remember what the Okie State coach said a couple of years ago.. You come after me, I’m a grown man. It’s true. If Franklin wanted to handle the situation like a man of class he should have kept his mouth shut and said something to to Coach Richt. Mark, you missed the ball on this one.
Red and Black til Death
Dawg48
October 18th, 2011
11:49 am
@ year of the dawg
Let’s talk dome football……. So do you think tree should start at the fla game?
atljad
October 18th, 2011
11:50 am
If Grantham should be suspended, then so should Franklin, because without one, there wouldn’t have been the other. Why is he escaping heat in all of this? Where is HIS apology? I think going after a college kid is way worse than the retaliation that occured. If that “choke” sign hadn’t happened, this would be a different story.
richie
October 18th, 2011
11:51 am
Glad to see some emotion ……..This is a fun season.
Spike
October 18th, 2011
11:51 am
Yawn.
JournalisticIntegrity
October 18th, 2011
11:51 am
Folks…this isn’t “reporting” or an “article”….it’s a BLOG. MB mixes his opinion and fact. Don’t take it as gospel.
Fire Mike Bobo 2.0
October 18th, 2011
11:51 am
Again, not that what Grantham did was right(still scratching my head as to why we are still talking about this) but what about the SEC take a look at James Franklin for yelling at an opposing player!!! At least Grantham took it up with someone his own age! Why is Franklin off the hook for cursing at a kid?????
BB
October 18th, 2011
11:52 am
I am beginning to believe that Bradley and Shultz write this tripe to get under the skin of UGA fans. I dont want them to be total “Homers” but I do think that they could find something positive to write about from time to time. It seems that Tech’s PR department writes all of their columns about Tech.
GTBob
October 18th, 2011
11:52 am
Everybody seems to want to cry about Franklin. Maybe he does deserve some of the blame, but that is for Vanderbilt and the Nashville newspapers to worry about. Why would you expect the local newspapers here to worry about him? You should worry about your own and the harm Grantham is doing to your image.
Dean
October 18th, 2011
11:52 am
Suspend him, fire him at the end of the season. I don’t want my program to turn into this kind of debacle. Most of the fans already act like Grnatham and that’s why I stopped going to games. We do not have to stand for the coaches acting like a bunch of uncontrollable Bubbas.
D Fence
October 18th, 2011
11:53 am
Bradley – You are okay with Muschamp cursuing out the officials down at Auburn while also captured on national television? Why not suspend him too? You and I both know its only a matter of time before he gets an SEC reprimand. Call him out now as well if you will.
Half Century Dawg
October 18th, 2011
11:53 am
why are all of you so dense?
October 18th, 2011
11:24 am
You are wrong, he did go after the player.
Boots
October 18th, 2011
11:53 am
Sit Grantham? No way. Run up the score on Vandy next year? Yes. Franklin is more responsible for starting the whole thing, and it is nothing worse than what happens between Sabin, Miles, and most other coaches. We are just spoiled with a gentleman like Richt.
Larry
October 18th, 2011
11:53 am
The AJC writers today could not hold Jesse Outlar and Furman Bisher’s hat.