Granger's theft of coat foolish for many reasons

GLENDALE, Ariz. — It's been cold in the desert the last few days. Cold for Phoenix, at least. But that's no reason to steal a coat.

That's no reason to embarrass your school, leave your teammates short-handed, anger your coach and stain your football career for years to come.

All of that and more is the fallout of DeMarcus Granger's knuckleheaded move to stash a jacket in his bag and walk out of the Burlington Coat Factory without paying.

Which is a shame for reasons far beyond what it does to Oklahoma hopes in the Fiesta Bowl. This will follow Granger, even if he shapes up and decides there's no future in being a thief.

For this reason. Granger, a sophomore defensive tackle, was on his way to the spotlight. Granger was a budding star and probably still will bloom.

If Bob Stoops kept Ryan Broyles on the squad for stealing gas and then not cooperating with peace officers, there's no compelling reason to boot Granger. But it's too early to tell if Broyles will make something of his football career or go to pumping gas. It's not too early to tell on Granger.

This guy could play. A run-stuffing defensive tackle, 307 pounds worth, who also can get a pass rush on nimble-footed quarterbacks.

We haven't told you a lot about Granger. That's our bad. This OU defense is known for linebacker Curtis Lofton and rush-end Auston English and a battalion of strong defensive backs.

Granger ranks right with them. Granger has been playing a monster defensive tackle, the hardest position at which to find great players.

OU has excellent depth at d-tackle. Cory Bennett has nine career starts and Steven Coleman six; they were beaten out this season by Granger and G.K. McCoy, but both are solid players.

Stoops downplayed the loss of Granger, because that's Stoops's style. "Those other guys have played a lot of football,” Stoops said. "Every bit as much or more than he has.”

Sorry, not buying it. Granger is a difference-maker on the gridiron.

"A player as good as DeMarcus is a big loss,” OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables admitted. "He can rush the passer, he's an immovable object. He is to the defensive line what Curtis has been to linebacker.”

For the record, Lofton is a consensus all-American.

Venables compared Granger to Dusty Dvoracek. Hard to block. Stays on his feet. Physical presence. An NFL talent.

All of which makes Granger's crime even more foolish. He has ensured that a singular stupid act, while on assignment for his football team, will be duly recorded by the pro scouts who will decide his financial windfall post-OU.

And in the meantime, Granger deals with the wrath of Stoops for embarrassing OU and has to look his teammates in the eye when they return to Norman. No one on earth should cheer harder for the Sooners against West Virginia than DeMarcus Granger.

"Granger's a good person,” Bennett said, the evidence notwithstanding. "We're all just going to have to step up and make up for it.”

Easier said than done. Granger's greatest forte was plugging the middle. Requiring two blockers to account for his strength and quickness. Hard to run on OU when Granger posts up inside.

Venables said he is "very surprised, very surprised” at Granger's transgression. "You hate it for him, to make a foolish, foolish decision. It's a life lesson.

"But I feel worse for the other guys. That's a letdown for them. He's feeling personal pain, but we're collectively feeling it out here.”

Maybe DeMarcus Granger got cold. It's not as cold as Granger must feel right now.