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• Former Georgia standout Ray Gant arrives with the south Georgia Wildcats for tonight’s game against Tennessee Valley learning the intricate balance between emotional and destructive, all the while …

Tempering his game

Paul Dehner Jr.

The reputation of Ray Gant spans from Sanford Stadium in Athens to every dark corner of Georgia, and extends as far as the long arms of Bulldog Nation reaches.

The 2007 Georgia grad is known as part bruising defensive lineman, part smooth-talking comedian, two-time SEC champion and outspoken hater of former Georgia Tech quarterback Reggie Ball.

Amidst the dark corners of the Albany Civic Center, however, where the South Georgia Wildcats will host the Tennessee Valley Vipers tonight, Gant's reputation recently added a new characteristic: temperamental.

Just three games after being acquired in a trade with the Spokane Shock, Gant imploded before the eyes of 5,324 Wildcats fans and one irate coach.

The 275-pound intimidator collected two pivotal personal foul penalties to thwart a late goal-line stand attempt against South Division heavyweight Florida Firecats.

"I saw the look in his eye," said Gant of the moment coach Derek Stingley erupted on him following the costly mental error in the 51-41 defeat. "Sting does not play."

One year ago, Gant signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A brutal pectoral tear in the spring sent his life into a year-long rehab and the Bucs looking in another direction. After starting this season with the Spokane Shock, he asked for a trade to South Georgia to be closer to his 15-month-old son, Tyson Christopher, in Atlanta.

The Wildcats represented a chance to prove he'd recovered from an injury that stunted his career before it started.

More importantly, they were his ticket back to his NFL dream.

Yet suddenly, with one fit of rage, he realized he was in jeopardy of squandering his lone opportunity.

"I didn't want to go home," said Gant. "I said 'I need to have an All-American game or I am out of here.'"

Three tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble and, more importantly, one 58-56 win later, Gant could relax on the 15-hour bus ride back from Texas in knowing his job was safe for one more week.

Alongside team sack leader Joe Woolridge, Gant has proven a destructive running mate. His 8.5 tackles for loss in five games leads the team and all of the af2. He's also collected four sacks and three quarterback hurries of his own.

Despite his production, his antics created an insecure situation.

The consummate comedian, Gant speaks directly into the tape recorder with a joking assurance his predicament is one which - underneath the flashy smile and easy-going exterior - he views as no laughing matter.

"First of all, as everybody knows, I got my temper in check now," Gant said, leaning in closer. "Sting, I got my attitude fixed, Sting."

Make no mistake, Stingley is well aware of Gant's plea, but this situation is far from fixed. The coach would prefer to see evidence of these words in action.

And if that looks anything like his game-changing performance in the win against Austin, Gant won't be going anywhere.

His inspired play created matchup nightmares for opposing coaches.

But if wild, selfish outbursts like the one a week earlier in the Firecats game return, Gant creates a nightmare for his own coaches.

"To be successful he needs to understand we have a team full of 20-plus guys that's counting on everybody to keep their head in the game," Stingley said. "He needs to understand the situation that every little thing that we do can somehow control the outcome of a game - you can't self-destruct. Mentally, if he feels he has adjusted and can now help the team and be productive out there, then I will applaud him for that.

"Those are things that - me personally - I am not going to take anymore."

Adjusting to the indoor game takes time for all outdoor players, particularly those who until recently spent Saturdays accepting an unparalleled adrenaline rush from 92,000 raging fans.

Breaking through the Dawg Walk at Georgia, Gant unleashed his gameday emotions before the opening whistle.

Now in front of 60-percent full arenas smattered with families, his challenge has been to find outlets other than opponents and referees for his overflowing emotions.

Currently gripped by the tight leash of Stingley, Gant feels an optimistic nostalgia toward the last football team he thrived with as his latest test arrives tonight against Tennessee Valley.

"Having (assistant) coach (Rodney) Garner at Georgia, he was straight-forward, he doesn't play either," Gant said. "And that is what I need. I don't need a coach that lets me get away with too much. I will probably take it to the limit."

It seems as though Gant has evolved through his eventful arrival in arena football this season.

He may be changing.

As much as his reputation is altered, he also refuses to forget what brought him here.

He still wants to be known as a disruptive defensive lineman. He still wants to be known as a proud Georgia Bulldog. He still can't resist a snappy punch line. And he still can't stand Reggie Ball.

"He was so funny because he talked so much junk," Gant said. "I told him, 'You are the worst quarterback in Tech's history. I know I am no All-American, but come on.'

"I'd love to get him a job in the af2."

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