Grantham returns Spurrier’s barb

ATHENS — Todd Grantham took note of Saturday’s barb from Steve Spurrier –- and returned the volley Tuesday night with a reference to Spurrier’s lack of success in the NFL.

Spurrier, the South Carolina coach, poked at Grantham, the Georgia defensive coordinator and long-time NFL assistant, after Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore had 182 yards rushing against the Bulldogs by saying: “That little inside zone play, the NFL doesn’t run that play. That’s a new scheme, I guess.”

Grantham was asked after Georgia’s practice Tuesday if he saw Spurrier’s comment.

“Yeah, that was texted to me,” Grantham replied with a grin. “I appreciate his assistance, you know. But we actually knew what plays they were running. And they actually run that play in pro ball, and our offense actually runs that play, too. So we’re kind of on top of our game.

“It was kind of an out-of-left-field comment,” Grantham added. “I kind of took it more as a shot at the NFL. I really wasn’t sure if it was because of his lack of success there or what. So I kind of took it more like that than anything.”

Spurrier was 12-20 in two seasons as coach of the NFL’s Washington Redskins.

Grantham coached in the NFL for 11 seasons before being hired as Georgia’s defensive coordinator this year.

South Carolina beat Georgia 17-6 on Saturday.

715 comments Add your comment

Steve Spurrier

September 15th, 2010
9:13 am

too bad your coach hasn’t actually been there before

Ray Goff

September 15th, 2010
9:15 am

Got to love Spurrier. Has a way with words.

Steve Spurrier

September 15th, 2010
9:15 am

i majored in lit

hotbobby

September 15th, 2010
9:20 am

Makes for good reading, I guess-

Long Gator

September 15th, 2010
9:20 am

How have the SC recruits been rated compared to UGA in the past 5
or even 10 years? We all know the answer.

UGA has a record of 10-11 in the last 21 games in the SEC East.

Gators have ruled SEC East during this period of UGA mediocrity.

Get ready for your annual beatdown in Jax.

how2fish

September 15th, 2010
9:23 am

One thing I think we need to remember, the D was in position to make plays..they didn’t that is on the players. Last year many many times they weren’t anywhere near the ball carrier. They have been coached to know where to be and when to be there…and I’m sure they have been shown how to tackle…now the only step for the coaches is to bench those that can’t/won’t execute.

WDE

September 15th, 2010
9:23 am

Fact of the matter is, Spurrier has had a more successful career than Grantham. If your defense gets dominated by Spurrier’s freshman, you need to take the jabs and live with it and use it for motivation.

Grantham has no credibility after a performance like that to try to get back at Spurrier.

Dawg tired

September 15th, 2010
9:26 am

So glad all you guys are happy that someone finally stood up to Spurrier, too bad it happened in the press and not on the field. Our DC has a win against a pathetic lower level team and a loss against a second level SEC team. So far he’s really shown nothing that matters, alot of talk without any results. So glad he shows a lot of fire in the press and on the sidelines, just wish he could get some fire on the field. Until he has a measure of success, he needs to ignore the likes of a Spurrier and just focus on getting his s**t together on the field. NO MORE ARM TACKLING!!!!!!!!

JoJoMonkeyBalls

September 15th, 2010
9:27 am

“So we’re kind of on top of our game.”

On top og your game?

how can anyone be smug – especially a DC – after a loss and after a Tr Fr tailback churned up 200 yards on the ground

send this ehh hole back to the NFL

DAWG

September 15th, 2010
9:29 am

Grantham actually adjusted well to that play and Spurrier, that is why SC only scored 3 pts. in the 2nd half.

Dawg tired

September 15th, 2010
9:31 am

Still lost the game Dawg. We need to stop making excuses and settling for mediocrity.

Carl Harris

September 15th, 2010
9:32 am

We will see what Lattimore can do when they play the Tide………Lattimore isn’t as good as Richardson…if Lattimore played for Bama, maybe he could occasionally let Richardson and Ingram a rest every now and then.

Schmeckdawg

September 15th, 2010
9:34 am

Randy @ 7:50

You are a moron! Hershel was one of the higest profile player’s in the history of college football. Do you think for one second that if the NCAA would have thought a guy like Herschel was getting preferential treatment, that they would not have jumped on it in an instant. For that matter, give one example of anyone EVER saying anything about Herschel and the Heisman Trophy!! Geez stupid people drive me nuts!!!!

JB

September 15th, 2010
9:34 am

I wish Gratham hadn’t said anything. You get flea’s when you lie with dogs. Spurrier is a classless human being. You make your statement on the field. Carolina won, looked great, BUT ONLY SCORED THREE POINTS IN THE SECOND HALF.

dawg1

September 15th, 2010
9:36 am

Got to love Spurrier and forget the NFL he’s still a winner.
Grantham will be ok, I believe but he has a long way to go to catch Spurrier.

This is just AJC BS to fire up the natives.

gdawginkalamazoo

September 15th, 2010
9:41 am

Did everybody forget that Grantham’s defense wasn’t the reason we lost that game? Second half 3 points allowed? Offense in the redzone three times 6 points? If Spurrier is going to rip on somebody it should be our OC.

Dawg tired

September 15th, 2010
9:42 am

At least that dips**t of an OC has the good sense to keep his mouth shut. Hope he’s spending his time working on his game plan, either that or his resume.

Atlantaroy

September 15th, 2010
9:43 am

Agree with dawg1, the so called Spurrier barb is a non story. He said many positive things about UGA also. I can’t believe this non story is getting so much attention or that Grantham felt like he needed to respond. If the dogs win next years game he can talk.

crossdawg

September 15th, 2010
9:44 am

Grantham may turn out ok if he can teach tackling as well as he interviews.

SonofaDawg

September 15th, 2010
9:45 am

To all yall people speaking against Grantham, suck it!! The defense only allowed 3 points in the second half while Yall give Bozo a pass once again. New DC, new base defense(3-4) players have not yet learned the defense yet. But that goes over yall’s head. UGA will destroy arkansas saturday, watch. Bozo will open up the playbook for murray because he has seen us rip his ultra conservative play calling. The defense will get better and eat Mallot alive!

trick-shot

September 15th, 2010
9:46 am

JB U have some good points…except If u lie with dogs u get fleas’..Who’s the dogs? UGA? Not SC.

Spurrier is a classless human being is your opinion….is far from the truth. It does say alot about u .

Poor Pups

September 15th, 2010
9:47 am

I love all the puppies comments about how proud they are at the snappy comeback. I guess you have to take the moral victory when mired in mediocrity on the field. Reminds me of Lane Kiffin’s chest thumping when he only lost games by less than he thought he should and felt good about the accomplishment.

SonofaDawg

September 15th, 2010
9:47 am

Grantham should’ve responded, let’s me know we don’t have dummies for coaches taking punches from other coaches anymore.

kevin

September 15th, 2010
9:49 am

Grantham’s defensive scheme was great. Poor execution, particularly with regard to tackling is what allowed Lattimore to do so well. The tackling problem will be fixed and the defense will soon (maybe not this year) be top notch.

1980 was so long ago

September 15th, 2010
9:51 am

Here is a link to some uga exposure in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal – if only the NCAA had the tools in 1980 that it has today to snuff out the dirty programs

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703453804575479663933878090.html?KEYWORDS=schools+for+scandals

“As for the Heisman, Georgia’s Herschel Walker won the trophy in 1982, one year after remedial English instructor Jan Kemp came forward and complained that the athletic department had pressured her to give passing grades to nine football players who failed her course, so that they could play in the 1982 Sugar Bowl against Pittsburgh (a game Georgia ultimately lost on a fourth-quarter touchdown pass by Dan Marino). Ms. Kemp was never forced to reveal those names, but the scandal tainted not only Mr. Walker’s career at Georgia, but his Heisman Trophy. He has never been asked to return his Heisman.”

Lowcountry Bulldawg

September 15th, 2010
9:52 am

You give Spurrier one moment and he can’t help but talk trash. Its pretty fun, he just can’t resist. Up till then CMR had not lost in Columbia and Spurrier can’t have a little humility. Grantham can say what he likes, but the first bit really didn’t make much since, but it had a nice finish to it.

bushwacker

September 15th, 2010
9:52 am

I don’t care if they ressuerct Erk Russell or Buddy Ryan,
you got to have the horses to win and we don’t have them anymore.

Dino Gort

September 15th, 2010
9:52 am

Yea I saw the Florida player getting kicked off team as well. HHHmmmm guess they have a coach who has rules and lives by them….Never Mind!!!!!!!!!!!!——-Go puppies!!!!!! This new defensive coach for Georgia just found out he is in a world of teams that are as good as or better that Georgia. Welcome to reality sir. Good luck!!! Better get those puppies hittin or you wont be at UGA long(well maybe 5 years).

trick-shot

September 15th, 2010
9:53 am

Sonofadawg you in dream land= Ark by 10. Grantham is new but 1st half cost the win! Grantham still has alot to prove.

The Ref

September 15th, 2010
9:55 am

Hey new guy, when your team gets pushed around the field, you should keep your mouth shut.
maybe UGA can dance on the field next game!

SonofaDawg

September 15th, 2010
9:55 am

trick-shot, this game is all on bozo and the UGA offense. mallot will do what he can but I’m willing to bet our defense will shut him down

Granthamatically speaking

September 15th, 2010
9:56 am

Jawja always wins the war of words:

As for the Heisman, Georgia’s Herschel Walker won the trophy in 1982, one year after remedial English instructor Jan Kemp came forward and complained that the athletic department had pressured her to give passing grades to nine football players who failed her course, so that they could play in the 1982 Sugar Bowl against Pittsburgh (a game Georgia ultimately lost on a fourth-quarter touchdown pass by Dan Marino). Ms. Kemp was never forced to reveal those names, but the scandal tainted not only Mr. Walker’s career at Georgia, but his Heisman Trophy. He has never been asked to return his Heisman.

SonofaDawg

September 15th, 2010
9:58 am

the ref, Grantham was responding to a cheap shot given by the OLD ball coach

PJ

September 15th, 2010
9:58 am

Grantham- instead of responding to Spurrier, how about doing something about Rambo……did you happen to read his comments???????????????? thats what we are paying you 750,000 for- not to respond to barbs from Spurrier…..remember, he is the one that walked away with a 17-6 win…..we are the ones that have morons like Rambo that play half hearted and shows no effort…..hmmmmm…

Fool watch

September 15th, 2010
9:59 am

Granthamatically speaking

September 15th, 2010
9:56 am

The posting of a fool.

trick-shot

September 15th, 2010
9:59 am

I to wonder about BOBO’s calling………but repect u for being loyal.

GypsyDawg

September 15th, 2010
10:00 am

Mullen, Mississippi St.? Come on, man! Get serious. All you dog haters this might be your last opportunity for a while to talk trash. Get it in while you can.

gadawgs

September 15th, 2010
10:00 am

I am glad we finally have a coach with the stones to say something back to that di*head. I applaud CTG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

brenda

September 15th, 2010
10:00 am

I bet when Grantham flashed Spurrier his 4 super bowl champion rings, Spurrier had to shut his mouth! Good going Todd Grantham! way to show Spurrier his proper place!

what’s that you say? Grantham never won a ring

NEVERMIND

Steve

September 15th, 2010
10:00 am

So… Grantham’s defense knew the zone-read was coming (about 30 times), but still couldn’t stop it? Did he also realize that having the DEs in a 3-4 set so wide makes the defense vulnerable to runs up the middle, like a zone-read?

Maybe Grantham should work on defense instead of talking smack — after his team gets abused on the field.

SonofaDawg

September 15th, 2010
10:01 am

If Bozo stops calling Tecmo Bowl plays, our ofense just night score a TD saturday

Granthamatically speaking

September 15th, 2010
10:03 am

fool watch, Grantham admitting he knew what was coming and the jawja boys sayin way to go Coach, sic em. Those and you are fools! Raca

SonofaDawg

September 15th, 2010
10:03 am

Steve, our defense was in the backfield most of the time, the PLAYERS just did not wrap up. The defensive scheme worked but PLAYERS, not COACHES must execute. Just seeing these comments convinces me most of yall have never played sports on a collegiate level. Just saying!

o-me

September 15th, 2010
10:03 am

brenda, you got a ring baby?

SECfan

September 15th, 2010
10:05 am

So he knew what they were running, but just couldnt stop it. Not quite sure how that constitutes a jab back at Spurrier, and not just an admission that GA D still has a long way to go.

fred

September 15th, 2010
10:07 am

Thank you SEC Fan…well said.

Granthamatically speaking

September 15th, 2010
10:10 am

With all the kids bobo has, it kind of explains him liking to pound the ball.

PMC

September 15th, 2010
10:11 am

Awesome, it’s about time someone hit back. Make’s it a lot more fun. Well done TG

Fool watch

September 15th, 2010
10:11 am

Steve

September 15th, 2010
10:00 am

So Steve who has never been ask to coach, not to mention paid to coach at the highest level of football, wants to tell Grantham how to run a 3/4. Only a complete fool would do that.

Steve == complete fool

fred

September 15th, 2010
10:12 am

Best place to hit back is on the SCOREBOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!