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February 2008
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Movers and Shakers Pre-season Texas Stadium dallasnews.com
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The Cowboys have hired Todd Grantham, the Browns defensive coordinator in 2007, as their new defensive line coach. More in a moment ... |
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Comments
Posted by 666 @ 5:06 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
Good Hire.
6-years defensive coaching experience in the 3-4 defense.
Before anyone starts bitching about the Browns defense, remember, in this role he doesnt have to be the defensive coordinator, just the defensive line coach, like he did for 3-years with Houston.
Posted by Joe Realist @ 5:09 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
This is the guy the Browns fired and immediately removed his bio bio from their team website. see Profootballtalk article below.
BROWNS CONFIRM GRANTHAM DEPARTURE
Posted by Mike Florio on January 11, 2008, 2:40 p.m.
The Cleveland Browns have announced that defensive coordinator Todd Grantham won’t be back for 2008.
“Todd has worked extremely hard during his three seasons with the Browns,” coach Romeo Crennel said in a statement. “Following our discussions after the season, it was decided that it was in the best interests of the organization to move in a different direction. A decision on a new defensive coordinator will be forthcoming.”
As we speculated during a Friday morning radio spot with Tony Rizzo of ESPN Radio in Cleveland, the Browns likely lined up Grantham’s replacement before cutting the cord.
Grantham’s bio already has been expunged from the team’s web site. This suggests to us that the split was anything but amicable.
Posted by Jerry @ 5:11 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
Are you kidding me? He has been the DC in Cleveland for the past 3 years. Does anyone remember how the Cleveland's defense has been during this time? Thats right...one of the WORST defenses in the entire league...a joke! If not for Cleveland's defense in 2007, the browns would have been a serious contender in the AFC. So, how is this hire suppose to inspire us? Who made this decision...JJ or WP? maybe I'm missing something, but this does not look like a good pick.
Posted by HAWAIIAN @ 5:21 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
don't blame Grantham for the Browns results on D. The browns were one of the worst DEF units due to a lack of talent. take a look at the team's depth chart, in particular it's D-line. Grantham will be jumping for joy for the chance of working with what the BOYS have. It will be a plus to have a guy who worked with Nick Saban in college and was considered one of the better young coordinators in the league. In fact, it was thought that Grantham would've taken over this past year for the browns if they fired Romeo Crennel after the 06-07 season.
Posted by Carbo @ 5:23 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
Hey Jerry, remember back in the 90's when the Browns were a complete joke entirely? And who was the head coach? Some dude named Belichek. Even the best coaches can't win with crappy talent. Besides, you gotta know that Crennel was in charge of that defense, much the same way Phillips is with Dallas. Give the guy a chance.
Posted by Tim McGee @ 5:24 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
I thought wade and JJ were looking for the "Best Candidates POSSIBLE!" Cleveland was ranked at the bottom in nearly every category. I hope the fact that he is only coaching the D-Line will help, but I seriously question this pick. I think the Cowboys could have done better.
Posted by Puzzle Maker @ 5:27 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
Why the Cleveland Browns and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham parted ways
From ORANGE & BROWN REPORT:
And just what was the genesis of the problems between Crennel and Grantham? According to several players, none of whom would speak on the record, Grantham “schemed behind RAC’s back” in an effort to get him fired before the bye so that he could take over as the interim head coach and, possibly, secure the position for years to come.
Additionally, there were “scheme and personnel issues” between not only Grantham and Crennel, but between Grantham and players on the defensive side of the ball. In particular, veterans have been exasperated over Grantham’s unwillingness to even listen to input on various defensive issues.
Link: http://cle.scout.com/2/718821.html
------------------------------------------
And more:
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1200130562212380.xml&coll=2
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham's firing by the Browns on Friday was a shocker for the following reasons:
He received a two-year contract extension in June.
At the time, General Manager Phil Savage said, "He's a terrific coach, and I would think he's got a big upside and has the potential to be a head coach in time."
Although the Browns gave up more points (382), total yards (5,753) and touchdown passes (29) than in either of Grantham's two previous seasons, the unit showed significant improvement during the team's run for the playoffs.
In the first 10 games, the defense gave up an average of 29.4 points per game. In the final six, it yielded 14.6.
In the first eight games, the defense recorded seven sacks. In the last eight, it had 21.
In the first nine games, the defense allowed 22 touchdown passes. In the last seven, it allowed seven.
In the defining game of the season in Cincinnati in Week 15, it was the offense that let everybody down, not the defense. Derek Anderson's four interceptions accounted for 13 of the Bengals' points in a 19-14 Browns defeat. The defense held Cincinnati to 270 net yards - the unit's second-fewest of the season.
Yet there was no mention of the defense's statistical improvement in the only comment issued by the club and attributed to coach Romeo Crennel.
It said: "Todd has worked extremely hard during his three seasons with the Browns. Following our discussions after the season, it was decided that it was in the best interests of the organization to move in a different direction.
CONCLUSION: Looks like a Cowboy coup to me.
--Bob
Posted by Puzzle Maker @ 6:13 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
Here's a link to a picture of Grantham:
blog.cleveland.com/earlyedition/medium_todd.jpg
Not such a menacing dude, don't you think?
--Bob
Posted by RAMS FAN @ 6:19 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
STOP WPHINING COW-HOLES! YOUR DIFINSE IS AS WIDE OPEN AS TONY ROMO'S REAR END! HE'S TAKING IT IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR! DO'NT TERY TO COMPEET WIT THE RAMS. WE'RE RAM TOUGH, AND WHEN WE WIN THE SOUPER BOUL NEXT YEER, IT'LL BEE THE ONLYUY YEER THAT KOUNTS! DO YOUY KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS? I'LL TEEL YIOU WHAT THIS MEANS
SCOREBOARD RAMS!
Posted by roy @ 8:06 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
Grantham, 41, spent the last three seasons as Cleveland's defensive coordinator. The Browns had the NFL's 30th-ranked defense 2007, allowing 359.6 yards per game They were 27th against the run (229.5 yards), but they allowed only 14.6 points per game the final six weeks. In Grantham's first two years, the Browns ranked 27th and 16th on defense. From 2002 to 2004 , he coached the Texans defensive line. JJ & WP need therapy.