“Genetically, He’s Blessed”
June 19th, 2017
Defensive scientist
Mike Smith has used a calculus analogy when discussing his defensive unit, and now Smith has moved into advanced DNA studies.
Last week, Joe asked Smith to look back on Brent Grimes’ 2016 season — after not being around Grimes for a few seasons — and to reflect on the Bucs’ top cornerback, who first played for Smith in Atlanta in 2008.
“Oh, gosh. Well, genetically, he’s blessed,” Smith said of Grimes. “You know, to be able to do the things he’s doing at his age, not many guys can do that. I think his athleticism has not fallen off. I don’t think his speed as fallen off. I think he still has a number of years playing at a high level. I thought he played as good as he’s played last year. He made plays on the ball and that’s what you want your corners to do. He hasn’t changed. He’s the same old Grimey. He’s a guy who enjoys playing football. He’s great for the locker room. He’s got a lot of wisdom he can share with the younger players.”
High praise for Grimes there, and it’s all deserved. At 33 years old, Grimes led the NFL in passes defensed with 28 last year. Ronde Barber, per NFL.com stats, never broke 17 passes defensed in one season.
And considering plenty of quarterbacks were targeting 21 year old Vernon Hargreaves on the other side of the field, that’s an astounding stat by Grimes.
Throw in a touchdown, four picks and a forced fumble, and Grimes’ getting snubbed by the Pro Bowl is a crime against football decency.
Interesting that Smith speaks of Grimes playing for several more years at a high level.
Grimes now enters a contract year after signing a two-year deal that gave him a shot, with incentives, to earn $8 million per year. If Joe were general manager Jason Licht, Joe would think long and hard about offering Grimes an extension right now.
Letting Grimes get to free agency could be a massive and unnecessary gamble. Sure, it’s not wise to wager early on 34-year -old cornerbacks, but Grimes is a very unique situation.
June 19th, 2017 at 3:51 pm
The coaches have a great relationship with Grimes…so they can wait. Even though the bucs have extra money right now, that will disappear quickly as they begin to resign players after their initial contracts.
June 19th, 2017 at 3:58 pm
Congrats to the Redskins.
Unanimous decision, no less. That says something when ALL of them agree on the law like that.
Hopefully it will put this stupid, silly argument to rest.
June 19th, 2017 at 4:05 pm
I’d re-sign Brent Times to another 2-year contract in a heartbeat. Awesome model for our young secondary players.
June 19th, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Mike Smith should wear a lab coat up in the booth.
As for Grimes – i’m down with an extension but is there a reason to do it now vs mid season or later? I don’t see how his price could go up as he’d have to out-play last season which is possible; but he’ll also be older than when we signed him to the original 2 year deal (will be 35 before the 2018 season).
Would love for him to ball out till he’s 40 and win a couple SBs – I’m a miko / grimes family fan lol
June 19th, 2017 at 4:31 pm
Need to wait and see what he looks like this year. Signing a 34 y.o. DB to a 2 year extension now makes no sense. Nothing to gain whatsoever…
June 19th, 2017 at 4:47 pm
Hey does Grimes wanna keep his career going for a few more seasons. I’ll take it. He does get juked out of his shoes from time to time but the dude does make a lot of plays. Great guy to have around allowing the team to groom an eventual replacement.
June 19th, 2017 at 8:36 pm
28 passes defenced,godd@$#..
June 19th, 2017 at 11:37 pm
Jimmy Jack: actually, Grimes had the best rating if any corner against double moves, so he really doesn’t get jukes out of his shoes. His weakness is his size and speed, not getting out-juked
June 20th, 2017 at 1:21 am
First time I’ve ever agreed 100% with Joe.