Above And Beyond
August 24th, 2016
Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes
One great thing about having eye-RAH! Kaufman working for JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters is the great sources and access of Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter.
The Custodian of Canton is passing on all sorts of knowledge.
Today, Kaufman had a long chat with Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith and shared with Joe how pleased Smith is that Brent Grimes has gone above and beyond to teach and guide rookie cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, the No. 11 overall pick.
Ira Kaufman chats privately with Mike Smith today
The emphasis from Smith was clear, Kaufman told Joe over a plate of brown rice. The veteran Grimes, a four-time Pro Bower, is not content to just play his standout game, like many 33-year-old veterans free agents on a new team would be.
When Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht signed Grimes, he talked about how he would be a “bridge” free agent — connecting to the next era of Bucs cornerbacks, hopefully great ones. It seems Licht’s plan at corner is paying dividends.
Hargreaves has exploded over the past week — two picks in Jacksonville and two more on the practice field against the Browns yesterday.
Joe believes this Grimes-Hargreaves relationship is key, especially since they have similar frames and games, featuring elite athleticism and explosiveness.
Inevitably, hard times and challenging situations will come for Hargreaves, and Grimes can be that voice to keep his head on straight.
During his 2013 rookie year, cornerback Johnthan Banks had future Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis to lean on, and the second-round pick emerged through 16 starts with three interceptions. And he had a bright future following four picks in his second season.
Banks gave Revis a lot of credit for helping launch him successfully into the NFL. What happened to Banks after that remains a mystery.
August 24th, 2016 at 7:13 pm
Over a plate of brown rice, what no gravy?
August 24th, 2016 at 7:24 pm
* What happened to Banks after that remains a mystery.
No mystery there Joe. His game was castrated by Lovie. Simple as that!
August 24th, 2016 at 7:24 pm
It’s no mystery what happened to Banks, it’s one word: Lovie.
Simple as that.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:04 pm
@37
Nope, Ira will be making the gravy tomorrow morning eating brown rice.
Sorry all for the vivid imagery.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:22 pm
Nole&aBuc Says:
August 24th, 2016 at 7:24 pm
* What happened to Banks after that remains a mystery.
No mystery there Joe. His game was castrated by Lovie. Simple as that!
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Not only that but now the media has taken the position that hey Jude is somehow better than Banks. Absolute ludicrousosity!
August 24th, 2016 at 8:32 pm
The media is saying Jude is better or is Jude just better? Im going with the latter.
August 24th, 2016 at 10:02 pm
But Bighog Hayes says Licht is the worst GM in the world so how can a plan of his be working? I just don’t understand how this could be.
August 24th, 2016 at 10:28 pm
Mike Williams, former Buc WR is available. Just released by the Chiefs.
August 25th, 2016 at 6:46 am
No mystery. Lovie got ahold of him. Could be years before he is able to straighten himself out.
August 25th, 2016 at 8:20 am
The falling of Jonathan Banks. A sad story. I’m rooting for him but it doesn’t look good.
August 25th, 2016 at 8:23 am
I really think it will be VH3 opposite of Grimes come opening day. I also think Verner isn’t worth keeping around for 7-8 mill to be a backup when u have other guys like Jude and Robinson playing just as well if not better. Alot of ppl think I’m crazy for that but Verner has been give every chance and still hasn’t really shined so far. I hope he does start balling but I just don’t see it happening.
August 25th, 2016 at 9:15 am
VH3 will be just fine, a baller with an attitude that he provides on gamedays. Something the team has needed and mix that in with Grimes, this is promising. And for the record, white rice > brown rice. Especially with black or red beans. Even some garbonzos with chorizo.
August 25th, 2016 at 1:19 pm
“Over a plate of brown rice” – channeling Tom McEwen, I see.
August 25th, 2016 at 1:41 pm
Lovie’s fault?