Noticeable Changes

Still a bit early to start hanging the championship flags, we however have started 2012 differently than 2011. First game was a bit of a teaser in the first half, halftime scolding changed the way we played in the second half.

Second game, Missouri. Hat goes off to the Tigers, did not lay down, played football to the best of their ability. That team and their fans have nothing to be ashamed of, appears to me that they were beaten by a more experienced team that had depth. Not sure that the system they run offensively will pay off in the SEC. Urban Meyer used it successfully for a short run, however the SEC did catch up with his system and of course all of us know he headed for the exit.

Football has changed over the years. Bigger, faster, stronger athletes coming out of high school and the college system of taking them at that point and reaching higher levels of conditioning is a given.

The one thing that has remained the same over the many years is football is still played with eleven men on each side of the field. Both sides of the ball meet the criteria mentioned above.

So, what is the difference in a winning program and one that comes close . . . . Can be several things, but from where I sit, think it comes down to coaching philosophies. While one team can be better on paper, as sometimes is the case with these 5***** ratings, does not always work out that way on the playing field. Coaching decisions are just as crucial to the game as that 5***** player or players.

All of the jabber above leads me to this.

The transformation that I think I am seeing in Athens can and should pay huge dividends as the seasons roll by. The way the coaches are building the team, far different than what I have witnessed over years of watching UGA football. At this point I am going to throw much of this change in the direction of Todd Grantham. His philosophy is one that I have come to embrace. Next man up, means more than just words. Grantham is responsible for what happens on the defensive side of the ball, not Richt or anyone else, defense belongs to Grantham.

Grantham really caught my attention when he hit the road and focused on Jordan Jenkins. Jenkins was a player that Alabama wanted real bad, actually coveted this young man. Grantham won that battle, and don’t be mislead, it was a battle, Smart and Saban don’t give up easily.

Grantham has the coaches he wants on the defensive side of the ball and every year they stay together as a coaching team, the better the results will be from the players on the field. That is a fact. Coaches build relationships with these young men and when these players move on they don’t forget those that taught them while in college. Pays huge dividends down the road, and that is some of what the more successful teams rely on. Alabama in particular has a recruiting tool that they use effectively . . . . We win championships and football games. Hard to argue that point, also a fact.

There was a reason for the recent promotion of Grantham. Folks that are higher on the pole at that point could see the results of his way of recruiting and coaching. Moved into the number two slot quickly. Don’t think that it rankled anyone and if it did, the decision stands. Get down to brass tacks, Grantham has and will continue to make Mark Richt’s job as head coach a much better position to be in than it was prior to Grantham coming on board. Believe I see some of Grantham rubbing off on our head coach. Probably just me, but I do think that and quite frankly, like it.

If we continue to play next man up and keep the continuity that I think I see, we are going to have Red and Black mania for years to come. The secret is being able to cross train and recruit skillfully. This group of coaches know the game plan well, and I believe there is a game plan. Have not always felt this way.

One thing about this year’s team. As many have said here, the verdict is still out on this group. There are some black and blue games heading our way, soon we will know more about ourselves. We are however deeper than I can remember in the recent past. With the returning players on defense, the improvement of our young backs, and especially the offensive line under a relatively new coach, this group could prove to be something special.

Say this . . . . prior to Grantham as defensive coordinator, if we had several young players suspended as was the case in Missouri, no way we win the road game.

Go Dawgs . . . Coach’em up!

Buc this is about Jordan Jenkins fumble recover in case you have not seen it.


dogbytesonline.com/jenkins-gets-fumble-r...yes-touchdown-61464/

Agree Buc...there's been a drastic difference, not only in philosophy but in attitude, on both sides of the ball. One thing I really like is the foundation that Grantham is laying. At some point in what will probably be the not too distant future, Grantham will get his shot to lead a team. Hopefully it works out for him...some great coordinators don't have the temperament to be head coaches (thinking Franklin at Vandy and Muschamp might end up being examples of this)but regardless of where and when the call to Grantham comes, I feel like while we have him, he's not only coaching up the players, but he's coaching up the coaches as well.

Years from now, people will probably talk about coordinators who are "disciples" of or in the "coaching fraternity" of Todd Grantham, much like they do now about Saban, Belichick, etc. Many great coaches and coordinators have walked the sidelines between the hedges before, but you'd probably be hard-pressed to find one that has made such a big impact in such a short amount of time.

Mike, well said from my point of view.

Todd Grantham was "pumped" when he first arrived on campus. Seems that was needed in Athens. Many had complaints, myself included. Both sides of the ball had gotten "soft" or maybe another way of putting it . . . . not playing up to capabilities. Truthfully Mike, I think that the players had taken over and it showed its ugly face more than once. Don't have to go into that, just look at where some of the BMOC's are now.

Being around UGA for the span that I have, this brings back thoughts of before and after. Right now, totally on board with this way of coaching, or the way that I think I see.

Two serious changes were made at Georgia. McGarity and Grantham. Removed many of the obstacles that Mark Richt was faced with on a day to day basis for a long time. I know think of these leaders as the "Big Three". With Mark Richt on board now and having trust in the other two, truly believe that we are ready to make that next step.

Mark Richt and Todd Grantham along with our other coaches are very good recruiters, and if they stay on the same pace they are now, we will be a "serious" football team for a long time.

Really liked your referral to "disciples". Grantham has learned the game from playing, coaching under some of the very best and has committed himself to being the best. When Todd Grantham said that there was enough talent in a short distance from the Athens Campus to field a championship team, might have sounded like someone taking on a new job and making promises. He is on stride proving that he was aware of the talent, and most of all, was ready to change a "soft" Willie Martinez defense into a defense that could and would make other SEC coaches spend some "extra" hours preparing for his group. Todd Grantham is a "solution man". There will be times when he will get kicked, but it will not be because of his efforts on the practice field.

You are right again when you say make an impact in a short amount of time. Todd Grantham is a "newbie" on the Athens Campus, he however hit the turf running, not talking.

Dawg With Style posted a link about Jordan Jenkins that clearly shows Grantham's intentions. Made mention of another "JJ" being on the field often, and at different positions. Gotta love the "next man up" philosophy. Freshman or Senior, best eleven play for CTG.

Check out what Franklin had to say about the Georgia defense in this link by a Missouri sports writer.

Georgia rarely blitzed, instead choosing to bring three or four guys and dropping the rest back into coverage against MU’s spread sets. They could do this because of their talented front seven, which features surefire NFL’ers in speedy end Jarvis Jones and massive tackle John Jenkins. The concern going forward is that teams are going to adopt this strategy going forward, but the good news is not everybody has the pieces Georgia has. Missouri quarterback James Franklin told me he’d never really seen a team do this as much as Georgia did.

Read more here: www.kansascity.com/2012/09/11/3809347/mu...m.html#storylink=cpy

Excellent get, Dawg With Style! I love to read whimperings from the vanquished. Actually, that is a GREAT article and analysis, until the guy starts making TOO MANY EXCUSES for that loss. You'd swear he really thinks Missouri is the better team. Sheesh.