Grantham: Dogs will go to 3-4 defense; he’ll coach linebackers
A few notes from new UGA defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s just-completed conference call with the media:
– Georgia’s base defense will switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 — three linemen and four linebackers, rather than vice versa.
“We’ll be a 3-4 structure,” Grantham said, “which basically means in your base defense you have two outside ‘backers, three D linemen, two inside ‘backers. . . . We are more of an aggressive style 3-4. We’re going to attack blockers up front, and we’re going to rush the passer. Our outside ‘backers are going to be what we call edge-setters. They’re going to be aggressive; they’re going to be coming; they’re going to be solid [against] the run but we’re going to develop those guys as pass rushers. The inside ‘backers … they’re going to be downhill guys to the ball.
“But in saying that, we’re still going to be multiple. We’re always going to. . . have the ability to match personnel. . . . The other thing is, when you coach in pro football, you take the players you have and you find a way to make it work. So I really believe the best way to go about it is, you rank your players 1 through 50 and you find a way to get your top players on the field. ”
– Although he has coached defensive line for most of his career, he said he’ll work with the linebackers at Georgia. He thinks that’s the best role for a coordinator.
“As coordinator, you’re tied in to not only the front but the secondary,” he said, “so I will be working with the linebackers and that way you can be with both the front and the back relative to whatever drills you are doing.”
– He doesn’t know the only holdover on Georgia’s defensive staff, line coach Rodney Garner. “I have heard good things about him, and I expect to be meeting him here shortly.”
Two openings remain on the defensive staff, and Mark Richt has said the new coordinator will have much input into filling them. Grantham said no decisions have been made. He said his hiring came together quickly and that he and Richt would discuss other positions over the weekend and next week.
– He will remain with the Cowboys as long as they are alive in the NFL playoffs. “I’ve always been a believer that you finish what you start,” he said.
– He and Richt didn’t know one another when Georgia’s search for a DC began. Richt said he got to know Grantham as the process unfolded. “I really feel like we hit the jackpot,” Richt said.
Please follow me on Twitter for the latest UGA news and notes.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
244 comments Add your comment
BigMike Said...
January 16th, 2010
2:24 am
To you losers who worry about the 1st, or 5th choice, remember this, your first choice you picked as a wife didn’t work out to well for 60% of American men!
2Dawgs
January 16th, 2010
3:38 am
BVG was a hard ass. That’s what you need especially on defense.
stats
January 16th, 2010
3:40 am
WoDawg
January 16th, 2010
4:57 am
Welcome Coach Grantham. Thanks CMR for a great hire through a tough process. Kirby Smart is a Damn Good Dawg, always will be. But remember, he would have been at UGA for a very short time and then moving up. As he should be. I also am aware that the primary sticking point for Coach Smart was Coach Gardner’s staying. CMR, you are a mensch by any standard for sticking with the DLC. Coach Grantham is a great D coach and brings great strength. 2010 is looking ‘funner’ by the minute. GO DAWGS & GATA
And oh yeah, 8 of 9; 30-24, ACC Chumps, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Bishop Dawg
January 16th, 2010
5:07 am
Here’s hoping that the Junkyard Dawgs will finally be let out of their cage. Now, if we could rekindle Tailback U, then the whole nation will know “WE RUN THIS STATE”!! Wouldn’t surprise me if Garner bolts. All the kids he’s put in the NFL never played up to their potential at UGA. He could be on UT’s short list for DC. At least he was smart enough not to join Kiffin’s “Wild Boys”. All you Vol trolls, how does it feel to have a Dawg running the show in Knoxville? Last order of business, please replace Scott Howard with anybody else. Welcome Coach G!
WoDawg
January 16th, 2010
5:22 am
GAy Tech chose Al Groh for DC? Is that true? That guy couldn’t coach a little league team. CF has passed him by. He’s a fine fellow but has all the personality and coaching talent of a three day old biscuit. Before he was fired at UVA his players complained about his aloofness and seeming disinterest. One player said after he was terminated from his alma mater:
“I want a coach that’s going to be just a really personable, relatable guy. I love coach Groh. I really appreciate what he did for me, giving me an opportunity to play in orange and blue. I’m forever in debt to him for that, but I would really like to have a coach that really is just a family man — a coach that really has a tight relationship with his players.”
On second thought, he may fit in with the dweebs at the North Ave. Trade School.
jerry
January 16th, 2010
6:20 am
He will put the best players on the field ex the ones in the Clark County jail or was in it and are now suspended.
Bobbi Dud
January 16th, 2010
6:53 am
Tech sealed the deal with Al Groh by allowing him to have unlimited Geritol usage during games!
'76 Dawg
January 16th, 2010
7:18 am
Looking forward to the new defense. I believe the defensive players will have fun again in the 3-4. Now, off season conditioning is the next priority. Our players are beginning to get a bad rap because of strength.
BuLLdawg
January 16th, 2010
7:45 am
QUOTE :
by Nick January 15th, 2010 11:49 pm
“And I couldn’t care less what they’re doing in the NFL right now. It’s different from college ball.”
END QUOTE
What is the difference between college ball and The NFL ?
UGA Bulldogs have sent 4 dozen to NFL rosters this season. In fact, other than Otis Sistrunk (Mars), I can’t recall NFL players that did not play college football.
The fact is that The NFL requires that their class at least, has played 3 seasons before they can jump to the NFL. Ask Herschel Walker.
The basic premise that college ball is different from The NFL is under question, therefore.
The Innovations that a coaching staff of $20 million dollars a year in The NFL have and continue to add to the game of college ball, is astounding.
The ability to take one look at the talent in a college ball’s program and determine just who in the hell of them might end up one day in the NFL, is another area where having NFL Coaching Experience in a college ball program, will be invaluable. Do we need to discuss that half-way through Game 5, we RIPPED THE REDSHIRT off WASHAUN EALEY. Over the next 9 games, Washaun Ealey was handed the football on the average 13 times. We threw the football to him 3 times all season long.
We were not ready to play Washaun Ealey, yet in the Spring, I said we had to in game 1. Game 2, I said the same. Game 3 I said the same. Game 4, I said what are we going to do now, rip the redshirt off ? Game 5, I picked on them not having played Washaun Ealey, that the season is lost with the players we have at Running Back, and that despite the fact we have 2 Fullbacks who will go on the NFL, that we do NOT hand the football to them to run the ball, either. Idiotic glaring errors by the “coaching staff” who could not see Washaun Ealey is our only hope at TB. We let Washaun Ealey have the football 20 time against Georgia Tech, and he runs for 183 yards.
God Almighty, is all I can say. Do I have to say, I told you so that we screwed up on Washaun Ealey ?
The RB coach is a wide receiver whose DAD was a great TB for us. He doesn’t listen to or didn’t ask for his dad’s input. No coach on the staff can figure it out that Washaun Ealey had to play Caleb King and Richard Samuel cannot hold on to the football. Carlton Thomas is thrown to the wolves and he too, we have no coach who can teach him either how to hold a football while running. At UGA, blocking is more important than teaching them basic skills of their position. Carlton Thomas we handed the football to 22 times for 100 yards and he caught 6 passes. Richard Samuel, we didn’t even play the last 2 games. Richard Samuel lost the GA tek game for us the previous year fumbling the damn football at the bloody hell goal line. God Almighty. Richard Samuel was our STARTER at Tailback. He LOST the game against Oklahoma State for us, for example – just as he did GA tek in the last game of the regular season to ruin our season the year before. He scored 2 Touchdowns all season long. He was NEVER going to be our Starting Tailback. But, he was. He did NOTHING. When the “coaching staff” finally figured out Richard Samuel would NEVER BE our Tailback, they took him from STARTER to 4 carries, if he was lucky and like I say, didn’t even play him the last 2 games at all.
Caleb King. We played Caleb King all last season. So, we knew what we had or DIDN’T with Caleb King, right ? The coaching staff didn’t, so again this season they put him BACK out there, and NOT WASHAUN EALEY.
Caleb King, you recall, FUMBLES, cannot catch passes, whiffs on blocking assignments, and is a big ZERO at TB. He had 1 TD all season long, and he too is AHEAD of Washaun Ealey. For what ?
Caleb King had caught a grand total of 4 catches for a grand total of 10 yards, total. He had 1 touchdown all season long the year before on 61 rushes.
He was HORRIBLE.
Caleb King is our go-to Tailback. That’s what we did. We sat down in case you forgot Richard Samuel and said we SCREWED UP. And, our plan ?
Send Caleb Freaking King in to replace him as the starter.
That worked out great.
Right ?
Against LSU, Caleb King had 8 rushes for 7 yards.
Why did we lose to LSU other than the Officials ?
Caleb King.
So, against the vols, next, Caleb King doesn’t have a single carry. Excuse me. I thought we sat Richard Samuel down ?
Caleb King gets 19 yards rushing against Florida. Nice. No wonder we LOST EVERY ONE OF THESE GAMES.
WE FUMBLED THE FOOTBALL 23 TIMES THIS SEASON.
Duh.
We had 3 TURNOVERS against Oklahoma State. They had none.
We had 3 TURNOVERS against the vols. They had one.
We had 4 TURNOVERS against the crocodiles. They had none.
We had 4 TURNOVERS against Kentucky. They had none.
Why did we LOSE all these and won last 2 games ? TURNOVERS.
A whole host of Tailbacks, none of which could hold on the football. Can’t teach them how and don’t recognize a tailback when we have one. Knowshon Moreno played here 2 years. That’s because we REDSHIRTED KNOWSHON MORENO.
Caleb King this year had 2 fumbles and lost them BOTH.
Washaun Ealey in more carries had 1.
Carlton Thomas had 1 on his few carries and it really cost in Oklahoma State loss.
Richard Samuel had another fumble this year, and it COST him the Starting Job when he lost it. He never played after that.
Richard Samuel not only had the fumble against GA tek that COST US THAT GAME at our own DAMN GOAL LINE, but Richard Samuel had had TWO (2) FUMBLES the year before. It was obvious he had fumble issues, just as it was that Matthew Stafford had 5 fumbles his last year with us and 20 in 3 years.
Of course, Joe Cox had 4 fumbles and it was supremely costly when he lost the fumble against Oklahoma State right out of the shoot a DAMN LOSS.
Look, our Offense TOTALLY SUCKS.
In stark contrast to THIS, Geno Atkins and little walk-on Rennie Curran both recovered 1 fumble each for the grand total of fumble recoveries by all 125 UGA Bulldogs this season; and we didn’t even offer Rennie Curran a Scholarship. He had to walk-on. I am telling you we do Not EVALUATE TALENT like an NFL Coach would, looking at them with 11 years NFL Coaching Experience. And, they also know how to tell the Running Backs how to hold the football so their defense won’t be able to take it away from them. And, how to tell the receivers to too while we are on the topic.
DO YOU THINK DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR GRANTHAM WILL TELL THEM TO PLAY WASHAUN EALEY THAT HE IS GOOD AGAINST HIS DEFENSE ?
DUH.
Look, our Offense TOTALLY SUCKS.
The difference between college ball and The NFL, is that in The NFL is quite obvious if you have the talent to play or not, while OUR COLLEGE BALL COACHES have no clue if you are ANY GOOD OR NOT.
QUOTE :
by Nick January 15th, 2010 11:49 pm
“And I couldn’t care less what they’re doing in the NFL right now. It’s different from college ball.”
END QUOTE
War Jacket
January 16th, 2010
8:12 am
Why would a fellow, if he really has so much upside, choose a DC position at a “want to be” elite college program instead of plying for a DC slot in the NFL? Answer: because he knows his limitations.
An irrelevant hire for an irrelevant football program.
Tellitlikeitis
January 16th, 2010
8:13 am
Master of the 3-4 Groh joins master of the 3-0 Johnson = MNC
SouthGA Dawg
January 16th, 2010
8:15 am
I disagree with a lot of UGA fans. I do not think GT is the second best team in the state. they would have to prove to me that they could beat GA Southern and VSU first.
DawgNation
January 16th, 2010
8:18 am
SouthGA Dawg,
Now that was just funny. Thanks for the morning laugh.
War Jacket
January 16th, 2010
8:19 am
Simple humor for simple minds
DawgNation
January 16th, 2010
8:25 am
War Jacket. Yep simple humor with simple math.
30-24
I’m still laughing 14 million times a day.
Sucky Lucky
January 16th, 2010
8:26 am
Tech fans the 4 DCs we looked at are 10 times better than what you got! 8 out of 9….
SC DAWG
January 16th, 2010
8:38 am
Maybe Curran will change his mind. He would be prefect for a 3-4 defense.
SouthGA Dawg
January 16th, 2010
8:39 am
Change!!!!!!!!! I just hope it is better than this political crap. New QB, DC, new 3-4 defense,New DAWG. It is going to b a great year to be a DAWG fan. Smash mouth football. GO DAWGS givem H-ll.
Louie
January 16th, 2010
8:55 am
Mutts STILL making big excuses for lethargic season.
Bring in any damn coach,5 star player ( do not forget you cannot coach them up, just down) and your pathetic program remains in turmoil.
Next year and the next year and the next year , results will be the same.
L M F A O
DawgNation
January 16th, 2010
9:05 am
Your right Louie,
Next year will be the same. Georgia still beats Tech and Tech still can not win a bowl game except on a blue field and that is even a stretch.
Now go get your bowl of fruit loops and sit in front of your t.v. Sesame Street is on soon.
DawgNation
January 16th, 2010
9:07 am
Yes I know “You’re” not Your.
Louie
January 16th, 2010
9:11 am
doggie notion- Keep telling yourself that, maybe your mommy will console you until November.
Just remember what REAL BOWL game WE went to vs. the one you landed in.
Now climb out of your toilet bowl and wipe off with Charmin.
Kinda sticks to ya, huh son.
maddawg
January 16th, 2010
9:15 am
I may be wrong but having come up under Beamer I would think CTG has seen and absorbed the special teams philosophies over there. They have the top special teams year in and year out.
Also if CRG is coaching the line and he is coaching the backers, surely we will hire a dedicated coach for that role.
just throwing out a thought or 2.
Kenny Powers
January 16th, 2010
9:17 am
Dumba$$ of the year award goes to Rennie Curran for leaving early before a switch to the 3-4; he would have been a stud pass rusher in this set.
Louie
January 16th, 2010
9:19 am
The reason the new DC is going to coach linebackers is because richt doesn’t want to be mad when the search takes 3 more months. Maybe they could hire Larry Munston and he could holler ”HUNKER DOWN YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!
And, oh yea, I’m STILL.. L M F A O!!!!
PapaDawg
January 16th, 2010
9:23 am
Good thing is we don’t have as tough a schedule this year. This should give the coaching staff a chance to cut their teeth on some cup cakes especially the first game. I just wish we had another shot at the Okies.
PapaDawg
January 16th, 2010
9:25 am
Louie, have you forgotten that you got the crap beat out of you in your better bowl game
mdawg
January 16th, 2010
9:26 am
convert caleb king to linebacker now
PapaDawg
January 16th, 2010
9:27 am
Louie, have you forgotten 30-24!
DawgNation
January 16th, 2010
9:30 am
Louie,
Keep laughing “son” as the Independence Bowl now has the ACC tie in. Make your reservation now.
LMAO since 30-24 and 14 million times since the Orange Bowl.
Louie
January 16th, 2010
9:32 am
puppadoggie- What bowl game were you forced to take, and yes we lost but didn’t we land in a BCS game?
No brainer , but I forgot ,mutts are without one.
Word on the street today is the dog catchers are patrolling your trailer park.
Stay on your chain (or rope).
MDAWG24
January 16th, 2010
9:37 am
I like this hire, It remains to be seen how he develops players. Being a Cowboy fan and the way he has put together a solid line at Dallas, I think we are in for the dominant, attack style defense us Dawgs were used to seeing – should be fun to watch.
Louie
January 16th, 2010
9:39 am
doggie-notion
Keep that VHS tape in a safe place(like under your food bowl) so you can watch it when you get lonely.
The wheel in the sky keeps on turning. Like the song says, “Every Jacket has his Day”.
One catch away from utopia and a streak to remember.
Louie
January 16th, 2010
9:41 am
mdawg24, living in the land of oz, trying to get back to Kansas.
Florida Dawg
January 16th, 2010
9:44 am
I have no idea if this is a great hire…maybe. Wasn’t at the top of the list and you wonder why.
Hasn’t been a head coach or a DC (little time at that position) for the most part and you wonder why.
I just hope we hire all the rest of the coaches and land the recruits that everyone else wants.
We need the players that Bama and Florida want….same ones.
DawgNation
January 16th, 2010
9:44 am
Louie,
And your excuse for the Orange Bowl loss?
LMAO!!!
Louie
January 16th, 2010
9:47 am
Heard that the bleachers at sanford will be painted today, that means jobs in athens available to mutt grads out of work . Ihear CWM will lead crew to oversee that work detail is carried out.
DawgNation
January 16th, 2010
9:50 am
Louie,
That’s it? That’s the best you’ve got? Go find that tickle pile Saint Simmons, Yellow Fuzz, m, and Pizzonadog are playing in and get some pointers. You really bite at this.
LMAO
KnoxDawg
January 16th, 2010
9:57 am
Has anyone heard of the reactions of the UGA recruits to the Grantham hire? I hope we can keep the kids who were in the “wait and see” mode. Grantham with the 3-4 defense and the attacking mode sounds perfect. We have some super athletes on D. Let’s turn ‘em loose!
DawgNation
January 16th, 2010
10:06 am
KnoxDawg,
Nothing been said that I’ve heard of yet but I would imagine the ones who are ready to play are excited. The ones who are looking to sign are enthusiastic. And the ones who think they are Gods gift to football may be concerned their bubble may get burst. I really think the kids are going to be enthusiastic over this coach.
Senator Blutarski
January 16th, 2010
10:16 am
sounds promising—UGA–let’s do it!
Observe & Report
January 16th, 2010
10:18 am
Travis Jones would be a great addition. He could coach OLB’s and DE’s and he’s a Georgia boy!
PMDawg
January 16th, 2010
10:19 am
Louie-if anybody is living in oz its you. How many people actually watched the BCS bowl; you were in, not many cause nobody cares about ACC football. And just get yourself ready to lose again in Nov. Al Groh and CPJ are gonna butt heads like crazy we’ll see if that D gets any better or worse, my guess is the latter.
Bo Williams
January 16th, 2010
10:32 am
Rivals recently released top returning defensive players for 2010/11 season:
Tech (who has to play UNC in CH) is gonna need a good DC. Have you seen Rivals list of top returning defensive players? I’ve never seen so many highly rated defensive players on one team.
No. 1 DE: Robert Quinn, UNC
NO. 1 DT: Marvin Austin, UNC
NO. 2 Inside Backer: Quan Sturdivant, UNC
No. 1 Outside Backer: Bruce Carter, UNC
No. 1 Free Safety: Deuanta Williams, UNC
No. 2 Corner: Kendrick Burney, UNC
Big-Easy Dawg
January 16th, 2010
10:41 am
Travis Jones would be an outstanding addition. He is a man of character, has a great resume, and his players love him! However, Travis makes $500,000 a year as DL coach for the Saints….so probably not going to happen.
WoDawg
January 16th, 2010
10:46 am
BuLLdawg, do you mind condensing your above comments to an entry I can follow. You can leave ot the rhetorical response to Nick the Prick, I followed that pretty well. I’m more interested in what you are saying about Dawg offense. Red shirt and fumbles, I get but what about the personnel assignments. Are you saying ditchem or teachem? Or do we not have good player personnel, good offensive coaches ?? etc. Or are you just sounding off frustration? I get that too.
GaTech Fan
January 16th, 2010
10:59 am
Congrats Georgia! It looks like you picked a good one. Every year I look forward to both teams going undefeated and the Ga-Ga.Tech game ends up 48-45. With these 2 defense cord. it looks like I will have to settle for a 20-17 score(of course Tech wins).Great pick-ups for both teams.
1eyedJack
January 16th, 2010
11:04 am
Whatever happened to Kiante Tripp? So much raw potential. Did we screw him up?
WonderDawg
January 16th, 2010
11:07 am
Um, Nick, you need to let Coach Saban know really fast about the shortcomings of the 3-4. If he continues to use it, he may lose a regular season game soon ….