This week Bucs safety Cody Grimm was nominated as the NFL Rookie of the Week  Joe had a chance to chat briefly with Grimm. Largely regarded as a smart football player, Joe tried to learn where the seventh-round draft pick got his football smarts or if football is just part of his DNA.

JoeBucsFan: You have been described as a very smart player. Where does that come from? Is it because of talking football over the years with your dad [Hall of Fame offensive lineman and Arizona Cardinals assistant Russ Grimm] or is just instincts or is it from massive amount of watching tape? Where do your football smarts come from?

Cody Grimm: I’d say it’s from a lot of those things but mostly a love of the sport helps me out. When I was in high school we’d watch a lot film [of games] and when I got to college, obviously, we’d watch a lot of film and that helped me out a lot.

Joe: You did this on your own or in groups?

Grimm: No, no, no. We did it as a team. Coaches would watch it with us. Pretty much, I always wanted to do something in football whether it was as a player or coach. I tried learning it and I was interested. When you love something you want to learn about it. I think that’s what helped me out there.

Joe: So studying football only stoked your fire more?

Grimm: Yeah. It’s like going to a class you are interested in. You are going to pay a little more attention in class. That’s what football is to me.

Joe: Since you were a linebacker at Virginia Tech and now are a safety with the Bucs, whenever you talked to you dad, did you ever think, “What the heck do you know about defense, you’re an offensive lineman?”

Grimm: (laughs) Nah, he knows a good bit [about defense]. It’s funny, when he talks about our games — when you are a coach in the NFL you have to know as much about the defense as you do the offense if you are an offensive coach because, obviously, you want to know what [the opposing defense] is in and try to take advantage of it.

Joe: Since the Bucs play the Cardinals later this year, you think he’s trying to pick your brain to get an idea or an advantage of your defense?

Grimm: (laughs) Nah, nnnoo!

Joe: Your pick-six against Cincinnati, it was obviously a huge play in the game and something you’ll personally treasure for a long time. What did your dad have to say about that?

Grimm: Nothing really, just, “Hey, good job.” He’s proud of me, that’s pretty much it.

Joe: Did your dad needle you about the play, something like, “Nice play but you have a long way to go to match me kid.”

Grimm: (laughs) Nah, nah, no. Obviously, my dad was a great player. I’m just trying to play the best I can. I’m a DB; he’s a lineman.

Joe: Does it ever get old for you when people ask about your dad, as if you are always in his shadow?

Grimm: No, I don’t really mind it. People always ask if [having a Hall of Fame dad] there are pros or cons [to the relationship]. I think its all pros. I’m happy of his achievements. I’m not trying to live up to his shadow or anything. I’m just trying to play the best I can and see what happens.