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February 2008
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Plenty of people figured, with the departure of three defensive position coaches, there'd be an influx of "Wade Guys" around here. So much for that. The new defensive line coach isn't quite a Bill Parcells guy, but he coached a gap-control 3-4 defense under Tuna/Belichick disciple Romeo Crennel the last three years with the Browns. Crennel fired him after the Browns' 10-6 season, in which the defense Grantham coordinated ranked 30th in the NFL. Previous to his run as DC in Cleveland (2005-07), Grantham served terms as defensive line coach with the Colts (1999-2001) under Jim Mora and with the Texans under Dom Capers (2002-04). Capers' 3-4, by the way, is a bit more like Phillips' than it is like the version run by Parcells. So he does have varied experience, in having coached different types of these fronts. According to this report from ESPN's Len Pasquarelli, Grantham was seen as a potential replacement for Crennel, when Romeo was said to be on the hot seat. Long-time Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter Mary Kay Cabot had this, as Mel Tucker was hired as Grantham's replacement, with mixed reaction to the old DC's ouster. Here's the negative: Sources said several players went to Crennel at the end of 2006 with their concerns about Grantham, but Crennel was still in Grantham's corner. In fact, Crennel was on board with the two-year extension given to Grantham in June, despite the fact he didn't know him until he interviewed him in 2005. On the other end, was a quote from Robaire Smith, who played for Grantham at Michigan State, where the coach was an assistant from 1996-98 under former Belichick assistant (hence the Crennel connection) Nick Saban. "He's down, but he understands the business aspect," Smith said. "He's a good coach and he's ready to move on." Whatever the case was, Grantham gets a fresh start with the Cowboys. And in a statement, Phillips seemed excited about it. “Todd is an outstanding person and coach,” said Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips. “His familiarity with many of the things we do up front was important, but his experience as a coordinator is what elevated him in our eyes. He knows and understands how one position group on the defense affects everything else that goes on in the scheme. "You can only gain that type of knowledge of the big picture by actually creating a game plan and coordinating a defense, and I think it’s a huge plus.” CORRECTION (9:26 p.m.): Plucked the wrong quote from Smith originally. It's been correct to reflect Robaire's comments on Grantham. |
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Comments
Posted by tw @ 5:27 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
Albert,
That's a really nice quote from Robaire Smith but who is "Mel"? Did he have any quotes about the guy the Cowboys just hired?
Posted by BReed @ 5:35 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
I think it was a good hire. Nothing better than a good young coach wanting to prove other people wrong to add a little motivation to the equation(?)
Posted by ptm @ 5:37 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
sounds like a good fit. A guy who had the 30th ranked defense, and got fired for it. Go Cowboys
Posted by Mel Kiper @ 5:41 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
The cows lost great coaches and are replacing them with stiffs. All the talk about guys who know the hillbilly way is a joke. The secondary guy they wanted is staying with the falcs. This team will be in the toilet in 2 years.
Posted by Puzzle Maker @ 5:56 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
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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: Cowboy Coup, probably. Primary concern seem to be interpersonal issues. Sounds like a good hire to me.
Posted by RAMS FAN @ 6:14 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
THE BEST DEFENSE IN THE AFL BELONGS TO THE RAMS! THE COW-PATTIES CAN HIRE ANYWON THE WONT, BUT THEYEDL STIIL GET SHUT DOON BY THE RAMS! OUR DEE WILL CRUSH YOUR HOMO QB. RAM-TOUGH! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS? I'LL TELL YOU WHAT THIS MEANS.
SCOREBOARD RAMS!
Posted by Stefen @ 7:53 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
are you serious??
...AFL?...ANYWON?...STIIL?...DOON?...DEE?...
please tell me you're kidding and have something of a brain...I guess recording the 2nd worst record in the NFL* warrants this type of asinine badgering.
touché good sir touché
Posted by Roy @ 8:00 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
From DMN Today "Grantham, 41, spent the last three seasons as Cleveland's defensive coordinator. The Browns had the NFL's 30th-ranked defense in 2007."
What is wrong with Wade Phillips & JJ to hire someone with this kind of records!!
Posted by Real Albert Einstein @ 8:50 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
Stefen, the Rams may had the second worst record, but their fan is in a class by itself. He brings new meaning to the word Moron.
Cowboys 35 Rams 7 Scoreboard Cowboys
I think the new coach will be ok. Wonder who the Cowboys are looking at for LB coach?
Posted by Trung Candidate's Grandmother @ 9:02 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
RAMS FAN PAY ATTENTION! Tony Horne and Brad St. Louis will be your undoing! Nolan Cromwell and Lee Roy Irvin are long retired, Robert Del Pino no longer comes out of the pack, and Carl Ekern is sitting at home! You long for the glory days of Mike Guman!!
Posted by kent @ 9:09 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
The most disturbing thing I've read so far is that the players didn't feel like he would listen to their input. I understand the coaches coache and the players play but it helps when the players feel involved in the game planning...
Posted by chad @ 9:20 PM Thu, Jan 24, 2008
If you are gonna blast this guy Rantham then do the same to Hudson Houck. The Dolphins werent exactly setting the world on fire with that offense last year. I dont know this guy Rantham but wasnt Romeo Crennel a defensive genius in New England a few years ago? Its the Head Coach and the players that make the difference and thats why Dallas is at home. Belichik pushes his guys to the limit and the players believe in it. Wade just stands there like an 86 year old man on a front porch watching cars drive by. I know Jerry wants to win REAL BAD so why does he hire these failing coaches that have no balls?
Posted by 666 @ 12:10 AM Fri, Jan 25, 2008
The man was not a great defensive coordinator but he was an excellent D-line coach for 6-years, all in the 3-4 defense, and that is what he is being hired for in Dallas, so his record as a DC is kinda moot because he will not have that responsibility in Dallas.
Kinda like a receiver who proves himself to be an excellent possession receiver but does not do well as a speed receiver. If you are looking for a possession receiver, then he is your man.
Well, Todd Grantham proved himself to be an excellent position coach on the defensive line but not so great as a defensive coordinartor. The cowvboys are looking for a defensive line coach which is his proven quality. Thats all that is imporant in this hire since the guy is not going to be directing he defense.
Posted by 666 @ 12:20 AM Fri, Jan 25, 2008
Chad,
Hudson Houck is a proven coach that has a lot of respect around the league as an offensive line coach. Guys dont always get released because they are bad coaches and that is certainly the case with Hudson Houck. He and Todd Grantham have plenty balls, just wait and see. As a matter of fact, Grantham may have too big a balls for his own good.
These are good solid hires for what they are going to be ask to do. They both have more direct experience then the guys they replaced. Give it a chance and give the cowboys admistration credit for knowing what they are doing. They did a great job putting together a coaching staff last year when Bill left here, and dont forget one thing. How much did we love the defensive coaches we had here? Thats why jerry let them go. He knew he could do better.
Posted by redbeard @ 7:11 AM Fri, Jan 25, 2008
I'm hoping Garrett can clean house as head coach after next years failing season.
Posted by 1dc @ 6:54 PM Fri, Jan 25, 2008
Your the man Stefen. That ramsgag fan has some serious issues, althpugh it could be Breer being a terrorist for the pats