By: FLETCHER PAGE

Here’s the full transcription from an interview with defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.

On Akeem Dent...

TG: I think he’s done an excellent job. I thought the last few game he’s played as good as he’s played since he’s been here. I think the guy is a leader. He understands the game. He’s the kind of linebacker you want, meaning that he’s physical, he’s tough, he gets off blocks sometimes when he has to, you know. He can run to the ball. He prepares. He studies. I can’t say enough good things about him. You want guys like that in your program.

What percentage of your plays have been in the 3-4, versus the nickel look?

No, I would say it’s probably been about 60-40 in favor of 3-4. Some of that’s based upon situation of the game, personnel, types of plays they’re running, things like that. So we’re always going to be multiple in what we do. We’ll work to put the players in the position to be successful.

On the defensive line...

I think the guys are a work in progress. I think they continue to work hard. I do see flashes at times. I think like our team in general on defense, a consistent performance is what you’re looking for and I think those guys work hard and I’ve seen flashes and as they continue to work and we continue to grow I see those guys, you know, where we want to be down the road.

Would it be a small victory to get a stop on the first drive this weekend?

I don’t believe in small victories. Alright? You either win the game or you lose the game. You either stop them or you don’t, so I don’t buy into small victories.

Is it something you get hung up on?

Do I get hung up on it? I wouldn’t say I get hung up on it. I mean, obviously we’re going to work to stop them, but to say I get hung up on it, no. We’re going to come out and play the next series, you know.

On the more physical practices...

I think it’s good from defensive perspective because, you know, it’s about the speed of the game. It allows you to play fast. Defense is about playing fast, so I think it’s good.

How much of those type of practices went down in the NFL?

Game week? None. But you’re so limited there, that what happens is your twos actually end up being your service team and what happens is, say, you’ll run ten, twelve plays of offense and the defense would service the offense for those ten, twelve plays. Then you’ll flip it. We would get twelve plays with the offense servicing us. The backup quarterback and the backup line—those guys kind of end up being those guys. They give you a good look.

On freshman DT Garrison Smith getting his first playing time...

Yeah. That’s what I said. We’re going to play guys that show production, and if we got to play freshmen, we’re going to play freshmen. I thought Garrison showed up in practice, and based upon where we were with the front I thought it was the right thing to do to let him get in there and get going. I think he has a bright future. I think he works hard, and he’ll get better the more he plays now, so we’re going to play him.

Does all the blame for the big plays given up fall on the secondary?

I wouldn’t say it’s all the secondary. I think any time you have explosive plays, there’s going to be breakdowns in all areas, whether it be the secondary, linebackers or even the front. It can be a communication, too. I think it’s more of a deal where it’s not one thing, but it’s a combination of a couple things that we’ve addressed and we’re going to continue to address, and we’re going to get it right and we’re going to make sure as we move forward that we take away those plays. If you look at all the games, the explosive plays is what is killing us on defense.

So it gets addressed?

Oh yeah. It gets addressed.

What do you put it on?

I think it’s a combination of youth, newness to the system. I think it’s a combination of that. I wouldn’t say it one thing, one person. I think it’s a combination of those things. The more they see, the better they’re going to be. I think as we move forward those guys we’ll start doing some things that we’ll be good for us.