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.
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244 comments Add your comment
WoDawg
January 16th, 2010
11:10 am
GAy Tekkers are gonna love Al Groh,65, the UVA coach just fired, 85-93 NCAA record, 3-9 for 2009 in A Sis see. Player had complained about him to University officials and here’s what one Cavalier stated after Coach’s termination from his Alma Mater:
“I want a coach that’s going to be just a really personable, relatable guy. I love coach Groh. . . . 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.”
He couldn’t recruit a can of salmon with a $5 bill. He quickly added in one interview, I have the same energy I had 30 years ago. RIGHT. He’s been drinking CPJ’s snake oil. I am so excited for GAy Tekkers. They gonna love this guy. Couple him with CPJ’s exciting personality and you got some real party dynamics.
Dostoyevskiy
January 16th, 2010
11:16 am
Bo, I’m not ignoring your post (like those who want to look to rivals when UGa recruits highly regarded by Rivals, but not when they ratings don’t favor UGa.). That looks like potentially the best defense in football next year. The teams that play UNC certainly will not be able to ignore the facts! If they have a better offense next year, and they should, UNC will be a team to deal with on the national level.
So, haters, go back to talking about UNC’s HS stadium (which Sporting News hailed as the best place in America to view a game), and UNC being a BB school, but the facts are the facts, and flames are just that, flames.
UGA = Under Grown A**holes
January 16th, 2010
11:20 am
It will not matter who UGA hires as DC – they will always be a mediocre middle of the road team. Despite having their pick of talent (albeit some with questionable morals but then again its UGA!!), they have always flattered to deceive. They will never be an elite football program in the SEC
BurningRedBleedingBlack
January 16th, 2010
11:40 am
We have aggresive fast solid boys on are defense. Thats the way UGA is suppose to play Defense. Fast hard hitting football! I like The NFL backround we recruit top ten talent now lets coach them to perform like top ten talent. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!! Welcome Todd Grantham i glad we got you!!!!
Truth
January 16th, 2010
11:43 am
Coaching trumps talent….GT will have the better D.
Truth
January 16th, 2010
11:44 am
…and the better O. GT wins big in Athens….Go Jackets!!!
PapaDawg
January 16th, 2010
11:51 am
Underground ahole, smoke another joint & take your ignorant butt to some other blog
CPJ IS IN SCHULTZIE'S HALL OF FAME
January 16th, 2010
11:54 am
big:
This new DC will be your worst nightmare….That sucking you talking about will be when Georgia’s defense sucks the high school triple opticon up the exhaust pipe….Defense will now play for keeps….
Nick
January 16th, 2010
12:02 pm
Hey BuLLdawg, thanks for the touching tribute. Brung tears to my eyes! But I digress…
First off, I didn’t make the Al Groh comments on here. Like the NFL, I couldn’t care less about him either!
I have a copy cat. I’m without words today. How flattering.
And no, I hate GT. It was me that came up with the Techerhead moniker for those tools. I guess I gotta find another signing name for myself.
Frankly, I don’t care what type of D they run as long as it WORKS. I just hope I’m wrong about it. I still stand with what I say about it. I don’t like it. If he instills it, and it works, I’ll be the first to admit I’m wrong. And I am a Dawg first and foremost, so I hope for all our sakes, that I am. But ain’t gonna hold my breath and ain’t gonna like it until I see continuous positive results. And so, the waiting ame begins…
Can the season come soon enough??
Jesup
January 16th, 2010
12:54 pm
The buck stops with Mark Richt on offense, The O needs to have more misdirection, i seen the reverse run to Brandon Smith once and it worked pretty well. I like the I formation pound the rock play action pass style but…… You have to keep the defense on their heels by mixing in a lil spread with misdirection…. maybe with alot more 3 and outs from Granthams D we will get to run and try more things on offense…..Bobo needs to cancel his vacations and go study other offenses…just like plays in the NFL when they go to working everyteam starts running them….like this year the hot play that everyone started running including Malarkey was the fake screen to the flat and draw with the RB to the opposite side, Stuff like that is not brain surgery, Just copy from another team and paste to yours………GO DAWGS…
Dawg Central
January 16th, 2010
1:04 pm
Louie…..yea enjoy Al Groh……he was 59-53 at Virginia…..a little better than .500 ball….but that usually meets Tech’s expectations….lol…..say it loud and proud Yellow Jacket fans….”UGA is my DADDY”!!!!!
Dawg Central
January 16th, 2010
1:12 pm
Septic tank rules……yea UGA got Grantham and even with 4th choice still a hell of alot better than Groh…..thats absolutely bottom of the barrell. And that was Tech’s first choice…lol….I bet tech’s 4th choice would have been Johnny Knoxville from jackass…..wow….these Tech losers never seem to amaze……30-24…..8 out of 9….do any of these numbers ring a bell Tech fans?????? Go Dawg!!
RED DOG 77
January 16th, 2010
2:19 pm
Nick……I will bet you a bucket of tears Granthams 3-4 works….REASON: The last two classes ,one already here one coming in is loaded with tall agressive D ends. I asume the reason for all these D ends was SEC speed and the need to control the corners. The thought was some would beef up and play a down line position, the others …the faster ones would stay at the End position. With the 3-4 you will not have to beef up as many and cnvert them to D tackles. Now you have the luxury of coaching up a kid who is 6ft4in 250lb converting him to a LB position. Mobility, speed and agressive schemes, in MHO is certainly the answer to the problems we have had over the last several years. Just my opinion…..you are entitled to your….but I bet I am right !
Jesup
January 16th, 2010
3:29 pm
check out this ….good stuff………>>>> http://www.dawgsports.com/2010/1/16/1252923/todd-grantham-q-a-with-aaron-from
Delusional GT Fans
January 16th, 2010
4:17 pm
Louie, King of the Dumb A$$e$
Jesup
January 16th, 2010
4:45 pm
according to Rivals. com>>>>”Most Impressive: Whitaker is one massive human being that takes up a lot of space along the line of scrimmage. He is just too strong to be pushed off the ball, and he does a nice job pursuing plays laterally”……..To heck with the cowboys Grantham needs to be on the phone with Jeffrey Whitaker…from Warner Robbins
Louie
January 16th, 2010
5:14 pm
To delusional and the rest of mutt-holes- Take a deep breath and count to ten.
Open your eyes ,turn your FAT head as far south as you can.The view is good, huh. So is the aroma coming from your arse,
Mr. delusional, you my SON are the KING!
Stinger
January 16th, 2010
5:29 pm
Dawgs don’t have talent for 3-4 defense. Too fat and slow.
Stinger
January 16th, 2010
5:32 pm
Groh has a Super Bowl ring, how bout Grantham. Didn’t think so you bunch of dumb azzes.
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
January 16th, 2010
5:43 pm
TO LOUIE AND STING-HER
I THINK YOU ARE ONE IN THE SAME DWEEBS, APAIR OF BI-POLAR A$$ HATS RUNNING THROUGH THE DAWG BLOGS ACTING LIKE THE NERDS THAT YOU ARE.
GO BACK TO YOUR LITTLE DORMS AND WATCH MR. ROGERS RERUNS ON COMEDY CENTRAL.
HATS……………………..
Jesup
January 16th, 2010
5:43 pm
Groh was a bad hire, Tenuta would have been better for the nerds. is Groh bringing a QB that can throw?
Louie
January 16th, 2010
6:05 pm
Boogie
Is Hartwell in Ga. or in Alabama?
Can’t seem to place it on a map?
What’s the emplyment rate there, I mean other than Walmart?
Louie
January 16th, 2010
6:07 pm
Excuse me, I mean employment.
Louie
January 16th, 2010
6:09 pm
GT people ALWAYS need to show they can spell , at least we were taught to.
RED DOG 77
January 16th, 2010
8:21 pm
I guess we have temporarily postponed this discussion concerning Coach Granthams 3-4 defense to watch the playoffs…….. Is it fitting that we adjourn with a song like……Louie Louie though ? See everyone after the game……..and remember……try to be as nasty as you can when you return…..I will be stunned if we actually can have a logical discussion…Later RED
Louie
January 16th, 2010
9:14 pm
Red(as in neck,I suppose)
Hope you can stay awake long enough (third graders fall asleep early you know)
CPJ and CAG will find ways to make gaping holes in your D-fense, you might be crying for Slick Willie to come home.
The problems can’t be swept under the rug.
3-4 or 4-3…………… EXPLOIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We will and so will every damn team you face.
Wake up, get your fat head out of your arse, mutt-mouth.
Louie
January 16th, 2010
9:18 pm
My point on CAG is you have no QB with ANY playing time, so pretty much Joe Cox incognito.
Tell me who is your next Matty Stafford.
Louie
January 16th, 2010
9:30 pm
Gone for the night..
See you mutts in the morning.
RED DOG 77
January 16th, 2010
10:02 pm
Kum Ba Ya My Lord…….Kum BA Ya ……OH……Lord Kum Ba Ya….Louie is trash mouth talkin…. Kum Ba Ya Louie is trash mouth talkin Kum Ba Ya….. Next year Louie’ s bees will celebrate 9 loses to the Dogs in 10 years OOOOOH……Lord Kum Ba Ya…………..Gotta Love that Louie.
. ...GURU
January 16th, 2010
10:38 pm
The 3-4 Defense works the best on Madden 07. The only one that can stop MIKE VICK
RED DOG 77
January 16th, 2010
11:23 pm
I guess little Louie has gone to beddybye…….Bless his little heart…Him has had a hard day ,yes him has
UGA = Under Grown A**holes
January 17th, 2010
9:37 am
Remember that year after year GT does more with its recruits and talent pool than UGA, which comes in each season with a highly ranked and highly touted recruiting class and flatters to deceive. An interesting comparison would be to see how UGA finishes each year vs. how their incoming class was ranked, and over time you will see that UGA seriously underperforms.
It is also interesting to note how little fans outside GA care about UGA. Their attention is rightly focused on Florida, Alabama, LSU and GT (yes, GT since we have much higher national recognition as a university than UGA) when it comes to southern schools
Louie
January 17th, 2010
10:05 am
red neck doggie 77- Guess he crawled under his house last night in the pouring rain.
Quite contrary to your childish remarks, I had a great day yesterday, unlike you son.
Keep telling yourself all is well in a-hole town USA, keep reveling in the mutt-way and enjoy the trip back to sunny Shre. La. next year. Hear they are building new campground for travel trailers on a nice ditch. Bring the folding chairs and enjoy the view!!!!!!!!!!!!
D- Day Dawg
January 17th, 2010
10:23 am
louie//////////
Here you are again on our site. GO AWAY! NOBODY, IMEAN NOBODY cares about the nerd word.
Get your yellow nickers on and when the rain stops, go put fresh air in the tires of the wrambling wreck jallopy.
St. Simons
January 17th, 2010
10:36 am
……………. Glad Louie makes this a happy place to be…………………………..
……………. Need more like him,he’s a hoot………………………………………….
St. Simons
January 17th, 2010
10:37 am
………………Enjoy…………………….
True Dawg Fan.
January 17th, 2010
12:04 pm
big
How big is your brain? Oh I forgot you are # 1 in your own mind.
Go Dawgs !
True Dawg Fan.
January 17th, 2010
12:07 pm
Louie
Another GT legend in your own mind.
GO Dawgs !
True Dawg Fan.
January 17th, 2010
12:10 pm
St. Simons
Who let you out of the fly trap.
Anybody got a can of Hornet spray handy ?
Go Dawgs !
Stinger
January 17th, 2010
4:17 pm
40 year old man absolutley destroys Granthams defensive front. Where’s Willie when you need him. Trust me you will want him back. This guys has no credentials whatsoever.
RED DOG 77
January 17th, 2010
11:34 pm
I simply connot understand the childishness displayed in this blog. It is like having to separate quarreling children. Who is this louie dude anyway? I have a question for Mr. Louie……. Would you like to have an adult discussion? or even a debate? Then bring it on. I will be back on one of the AJC story blogs Monday night. If you can show me that you can have a reasonable discussion, then I will engage otherwise I simply dont see the point. Slinging crap at one another just doesnt make any reasonable point to me .I am a college football fan, not someone who enjoys trying to insult. Think it over Mr Louie, you might find that you would enjoy discussing ,or debating the game of college football. RED
Louie
January 18th, 2010
9:42 pm
red doggie 77
Keep drinking the red and black mud,son.
If you follow me, I have tried to tell your mutt buddies TRUE FACTS but they are living in yesterday’s fantasy world that tomorrow will bring the doggie nation back to 1980. AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN.
Talk to me MR. RED.
adam
June 22nd, 2010
8:42 pm
my fav defence wish florida would start playing this defence
adam
June 22nd, 2010
8:42 pm
defense i mean my bad