From Seth Emerson’s post ($$) about havoc rate at Georgia:
In fact, the last time Georgia finished in the top 5 in the SEC in sacks was 2013, when it was second. That was a very down year for Georgia’s defense, but it was the last for aggressive defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. That’s what Grantham, now Florida’s defensive coordinator, is known for. But it comes with risk. Insert your “third-and-Grantham” comment here.
I would have, too, if Seth hadn’t beaten me to the punch.
Get The Picture 
There is something about not ever worrying about UF while Grantham is heading the defense.
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Third and Grantham will never have the same ring as Third and Willy
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This was my thought as well in regards to havoc rate. I know fans hate bend but don’t break because it’s not as exciting and sexy but Grantham’s “I care about nothing but trying to get to the Qb” approach is the flip side of that coin. Between last year’s defense and the Grantham years I can tell you what I prefer.
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I’m right there with you on this one. Is resembling a Grantham defense really the direction we want to take? I confess myself a little worried about all of the ‘havoc’ talk.
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Havoc’s great, but I’d feel a lot better about it if I was more certain about the secondary. Really wish we still had Baker back there.
I’ve thought about 3rd and Grantham more than once when I’ve thought about the fact we’re saying we’re going to be taking more risks to pressure the backfield.
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Everyone is talking about these two concepts as if they are mutually exclusive, they exist together and are situational. You are right, confidence in your secondary is important as to how aggressive you can be up front. I don’t think I have ever seen the talent and depth in the secondary that we have now at UGA. No one player may be as good as Baker was, but collectively the talent could make us much better, and that makes me feel like we can take some chances. It isn’t like other top programs are reckless in their use of applying pressure, we just seem to have let the pendulum swing too far in the conservative direction.
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Hopefully, Lanning and Kirby are a little more cognizant of edge containment than Grantham is/was. I believe our secondary will be a strength, even losing Baker. Lots of talent out there.
BTW Senator, did you happen to read the piece on Leach from several of his prior QBs talking about their QB meetings? Classic Leach stories.
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That Leach piece managed to be totally unsurprising and totally hilarious all at once. Great stuff.
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As long as all the havoc doesn’t come at the cost of solid fundamentals, we should be fine. Affecting the opposing QB is one thing, but you’ve got to be able to tackle him too.
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Havoc = recruiting
Limit the run and explosive plays = winning
It’s a tricky balance.
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Concur, just beat the man in front of you…and that is recruiting/development. If you can create “havoc” while maintaining containment & coverage…. doing that will put you in tall cotton.
To blitz all the time (havoc) would create more “3rd and Grantham”…..when you do this, someone will always be open or overrun a play…gonna get burned. Most that blitz all the time are covering weaknesses. Don’t feel that our D’ is that way.
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Grantham did not earn that moniker by accident
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And no posting here by 3rd and Grantham? Must be too busy or on vacation.
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The key to a successful defense is the ability to get to the QB without regular exotic bring the house blitzes. Our front 4 has to be able to get to the QB more regularly than we have for the better part of the last decade. Athletes like Nolan Smith and Travon Walker will help with that tremendously.
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Do you think Grantham himself knows about third and Grantham?
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3rd & 13
3rd & 2
3rd & 9
3rd & 5
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16 yrd pass
12 yrd pass
24 yrd pass
33 yrd run
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Are those from the Alabama game last season…?
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I think those are the four TD’s the Dawgs scored against Florida in ’18.
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Good point…
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I think the Dawgs will have more latitude to take defensive risks this season because of the potential of the Offense. This is a 40 ppg offense at work. And if the season plays out like the preseason speculation suggests, UGa will be going against many experienced QBs. Those QBs will make plenty of trouble if they’re not under much heat.
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I’ll save y’all from having to look up the stats: Georgia converted 12 of 19 third downs against Grantham’s Louisville defense in the ’14 Belk Bowl, and 8 of 14 third downs against Florida last year. I’m feeling OK about our chances against him this season.
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Grantham’s record as a DC is partly bolstered by the fact that he loves to keep first-teamers in on defense when they play the Sisters of the Poor and when they are up big. When he plays against a team that equal, well…you have many ‘Third and Grantham’ moments.
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