Tony Grantham Discusses His Special Teams Philosophy
August 10, 2014 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville looks to improve on special teams this season, and the addition of special teams coordinator and getting more play makers on the field should help the Cardinals this season.
Grantham wants the Cardinals to be aggressive on special teams and indicated that no matter who you are, you will play on special teams.
"We will use starters on special teams," Grantham said. "We want to get the best guys on the field for every aspect of the game. Whether its running down on the kickoff or covering a punt, you can be a starting mike linebacker and you can bet running down on a kickoff on opening night. That's always been coach Petrino's philosophy."
While it is important o get starters on those special teams units, Grantham will also utilize some freshmen to help them garner game experience.
"We want to get some young guys out there as well," Grantham said. "This way they can gain some confidence and prove themselves in a live game situation so they can gain some confidence. It helps that when they do get out there on the defensive and offensive side of the football so it's not foreign to them."
Grantham also coaches the inside linebackers and is pretty excited about some of the players in his unit.
Grantham likes the play of Isaac Stewart through the first week of practice and has stood out among the veterans.
"I like his skill set," Grantham said."He is a big guy who can cover a lot of ground, but he is physical. He isn't afraid of contact."
Grantham likes the depth that he has at the inside linebacker position as the Cardinals head into the difficulty of the ACC.
"We feel really good at that position because we have a lot of depth at that position. We have a lot of good competition out there. With the schedule we are going to play, we're going to need every single guy in there."
The Cardinals will hit the practice field on Monday evening at 6 p.m. before resuming double-session practices on Tuesday morning.
