“Superhuman Effort”
August 7th, 2017
Relentless again today. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)
Joe’s not sure whether it’s time to wrap Brent Grimes in bubble wrap for the rest of the month, or offer him a new contract so he doesn’t hit free agency in March.
Or both!
Grimes, 34, may have been the best cornerback in the game last season. And the guy won’t let up.
He’s been fantastic throughout training camp, and he made a big-time, touchdown-saving play in practice today on an underthrown ball to DeSean Jackson. Dirk Koetter called it a good learning experience for America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
But Koetter also called it a “superhuman effort” by Grimes.
Again, the guy is 34 with nothing to prove whatsover.
“Brent Grimes was beat by a step and made a superhuman effort to knock it away,” Koetter said. “That’s the kind of competition. There’s two of our best players and that’s what you’re talking about when you’re saying compete in practice to make each other better. That’s making us better. Jameis is learning a lesson there.”
Grimes has missed just one game in the last four seasons, and he has a whopping 17 interceptions in that span.
Yeah, Grimes has to prepare for the season, but do the Bucs really need him risking injury in the preseason? The thought of Grimes on the phony turf in Cincinnati on Friday night makes Joe want to vomit.
And then there’s the Grimes looming free agency. Joe gets that the team likely is wise to see how a 34-year-old performs. But they certainly are free to wave another season in front of Grimes right now with some guaranteed Team Glazer loot for 2018 included. Joe thinks it’s worth the gamble.
August 7th, 2017 at 4:27 pm
Absolutely…Get that contract in and no need to keep him on the field during pre-season UNLESS he wants to be..
August 7th, 2017 at 4:34 pm
How many more “lessons” does jameis need to learn before he stops being a perennial turn over machine?
August 7th, 2017 at 4:43 pm
He needs to pull his head out!
August 7th, 2017 at 4:48 pm
Do not play Grimes against the Bengles!!!!
August 7th, 2017 at 5:02 pm
While I appreciate Joe’s disdain for Pre Season games….they do serve a purpose even for vets…..the key is moderation not exclusion. Players need to gradually become game ready and the Pre Season serves part of that purpose.
Players can get hurt in practice…..the parking lot or as we have seen at charity basketball events…..
I suspect you could ask Grimes and he would tell you he would like to play at least a few snaps.
August 7th, 2017 at 5:08 pm
Nicely said…Tampabaybucfan!
August 7th, 2017 at 5:08 pm
as we have heard the defensive players state ad nauseam, communication and getting on the same page was crucial to their late season surge. grimes himself may not need the reps but as a unit they do still need the live reps. glad he is thwarting our offense. they’ll be better for it in the regular season. i’m sure he’ll get his share of rest days but it’s far too soon to put him on the shelf until september
August 7th, 2017 at 5:21 pm
Oj “I Got The Juice” Howard Says:
August 7th, 2017 at 4:34 pm
How many more “lessons” does jameis need to learn before he stops being a perennial turn over machine?
……………
Brett Favre never got the memo either and he turned out alright.
August 7th, 2017 at 5:33 pm
On the other hand maybe “loot” is not all it is going to take to keep him here. He knows Bucs history well.
August 7th, 2017 at 5:43 pm
Completely disagree. Let him play with the fire of being in a contract year. If he performs again and doesn’t get seriously hurt then negotiate with him to bring him back and if that fails, franchise tag. No reason to guarantee him money now when he could slow down or get injured.
August 7th, 2017 at 5:52 pm
Love the competition… what could signing him to a 2 year extension hurt!?
August 7th, 2017 at 6:06 pm
Who franchise tags a 34 year old CB?
August 7th, 2017 at 6:18 pm
Careful what you wish for Joe, he’s on borrowed time and that time is running out quick. We saw it with Revis, Ronde, etc… once that clock runs out… it’s out… no fade it’s just gone. You don’t want to lock him up now and by week 6 he’s out to pasture…
August 7th, 2017 at 6:19 pm
They should see if they can add another year to his contract. I doubt he’ll play past 36 though.
August 7th, 2017 at 6:49 pm
We saw Ronde’s clock run out, really? In 2012 Ronde was asked to play safety and all he did was have 92 tackles, 13 pass defensed and 4 picks. Don’t make stuff up.
August 7th, 2017 at 6:57 pm
Brent Grimes is the best CB in the NFL. Sign him to a two year extension and lock him in. Some players just get better with age.
August 7th, 2017 at 7:28 pm
And Miko made the last episode of Baller.
August 7th, 2017 at 7:39 pm
Purpose of TC is to learn lessons and see what you can do. Someone will always come up short. First of all it’s a game, secondly no one is perfect…
August 7th, 2017 at 7:41 pm
We are talking about one of the best CB in the NFL..
August 7th, 2017 at 8:01 pm
Folks might be overlooking a couple of minor details here. First, it’s not like the Bucs have a Brent Grimes’ clone sitting on the bench waiting for Brent to retire. He’s playing head-and-shoulders above any of our other CBs. Even if we draft a CB high next year, most CBs don’t start off like gang-busters their first year. And secondly, Brent likes it here … he chose Tampa Bay over a number of other teams interested in him. I suspect that Smitty being here had something to do with that, but he obviously also sees potential to win here or else he would’ve gone someplace else. Bucs don’t need to extend him right now, but if he continues to play at a high level like he has, signing him to another 2-year contract is a no-brainer.
August 7th, 2017 at 8:36 pm
The grimes chant on take over day was epic. “Grimes grimes grimes grimes”
August 7th, 2017 at 8:38 pm
how many INT’s for him against Miami and Cutler? 3 or 4…Miko gonna light up dolphinnation after this game.
August 7th, 2017 at 8:53 pm
Why sign him for 2 years when he can get hurt at any second? I don’t wanna jinx anything but a certain injury will take about a year to recover from. Let him play this season out and go from there.
August 7th, 2017 at 9:08 pm
A 1-2 year extension makes sense. I’m leaning toward 1 year…and just keep extending it each year if he keeps it up. Year to year is the way to go these days in the later years of a career.
Off topic, here is something I put together today.
Bonzai’s Opening Day Roster Predictions
Quarterback: Jameis Winston, Ryan Fitzpatrick
Left Tackle: Donovan Smith
Left Guard: Kevin Pamphile
Center: Ali Marpet, Joe Hawley
Right Guard: J.R. Sweezy, Evan Smith (swing)
Right Tackle: Demar Dotson, Caleb Benenoch (swing)
Wide Reciever 1: Mike Evans, Freddie Martino, Donteea Dye
Wide Reciever 2: DeSean Jackson, Chris Godwin
Wide Reciever Slot: Adam Humphries, Derel Walker
Tight End: O.J. Howard, Cameron Brate, Luke Stocker
Running Back: Doug Martin, Jacquizz Rodgers, Jeremy McNichols, Charles Sims
Fullback: Quayvon Hicks (Yes, I think we will finally have one)
– – – – – – –
Defensive Ends: Will Gholston, Jacquies Smith
Robert Ayers, Noah Spence
Defensive Tackles: Gerald McCoy, Clinton McDonald
Chris Baker, Stevie Tu’ikolovatu
Strong Side Linebacker: Devante Bond, Jeff Knox
Middle Linebacker: Kwon Alexander, Kendell Beckwith
Weak Side Linebacker: Lavonte David, Cameron Lynch
Cornerback: Brent Grimes, Ryan Smith (swing with Safety), Javien Elliott
Vernon Hargreaves, Jude Adjei-Barimah, Robert McClain
Safety: Chris Conte, Justin Evans
Keith Tandy, J.J. Wilcox, Josh Robinson
Punter: Bryan Anger
Kicker: Roberto Aguayo, Nick Folk (at least through Martin’s suspension)
Long Snapper: Garrison Sanborn
(One player will be dropped after Martin suspension)
__________________________
Kick Returns: Ryan Smith
Punt Returns: Adam Humphries
August 7th, 2017 at 9:12 pm
I’m leaning toward Donteea Dye being the cut after Martin suspension. I’m thinking the Bucs keep both kickers this year.
They’ll probably let Aguayo start at first, and if he can’t handle it, Folk will get promoted…but they’ll keep Aguayo at least one more year.
August 7th, 2017 at 9:13 pm
And yes, I think Barber is toast.
August 7th, 2017 at 9:16 pm
More depth for OL, DL and WR will be on the Practice Squad.
August 7th, 2017 at 10:03 pm
Bonzai, I think Auclair makes the squad as well. Could designate him fullback. I think if we practice squad him , he’s picked up quick.
August 7th, 2017 at 10:35 pm
Defense Rules Says
“Bucs don’t need to extend him right now…”
you are forgetting the cap. Doing a 1 year extension now will add another year…and we have some big contracts due next year.
August 7th, 2017 at 10:36 pm
And the Bucs are hoping his backup will replace him.
August 8th, 2017 at 12:19 am
LOL – Wow Bonzai you are really stepping out on a limb with those predictions.
Where do I even start?
We are not keeping 2 kickers. Coach already made that very clear but I guess you missed that.
There will be more than 8 Oline players (9 most likely) – add Wester probably and another young player perhaps because I don’t see Hawley making the final cut as long as Marpet is fine at center. Doubt they keep both Evan Smith and Hawley – Smith is more versatile and more valuable.
Definitely not keeping 7 WRs – 6 probably, perhaps only 5
Definitely going to have more than 3 TEs. 5 is more likely than 3 but minimum of 4. (add Auclair and possibly Cross)
No fullback
Highly likely we keep all 4 RBs (Quizz, Sims, JMac and Barber) while Martin is suspended and then make a decision after week 3 as to which one gets cut heading into week 4 if all are still healthy.
Definitely keeping more than 4 DEs. 5 for sure and perhaps 6. Either 9 or 10 total Dlinemen.
maybe 6 LBers but not the ones you picked and perhaps only 5 LBs (LD54, Kwon, Bond, Beckwith and Glanton)
6 CBs but including Robinson so either Hey Jude or McClain will be gone.
4 safeties
1 kicker
1 punter
1 LSer
August 8th, 2017 at 6:37 am
Pickgrin … You nailed it with your comments IMO, with 1 exception: I think we will keep 4 RBs in Martin’s absence. What happens after that will be determined by injuries and performance. I personally think we keep Barber over Sims (he’s in the last year of his contract, Barber is the more powerful runner, and McNichols will usurp Sims’ role anyways).
Bonzai … Everyone seems to be giving Fitz the nod over Griffin, but I wouldn’t be so sure (don’t count him out yet IOW). Gut feel at this point is that we keep Robinson (as a CB not Safety) but don’t keep Jude (not having that great a camp it sounds like). Russell is definitely a keeper; matter of fact, he’ll end up being an outstanding DE in this league. And oh yes, Glanton over Lynch.
August 8th, 2017 at 11:05 am
Defense Rules Says:
August 8th, 2017 at 6:37 am
“Pickgrin … You nailed it with your comments IMO, with 1 exception: I think we will keep 4 RBs in Martin’s absence”
???????
“Highly likely we keep all 4 RBs (Quizz, Sims, JMac and Barber) while Martin is suspended and then make a decision after week 3 as to which one gets cut heading into week 4 if all are still healthy.”
also – pretty sure Fitz will be the backup QB and I doubt Charles Sims is going anywhere this year if he stays healthy.
August 8th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
Well, Pickgrin, I had no idea they increased the roster limit to 60 players. You sure showed me.
August 8th, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Pickgrin, really, all we have to do is wait a few weeks to find out how close I am. But I’ll tell you this…they WILL keep two kickers. They won’t have a choice.
And that will take the roster spot during the first 3 games.
You don’t have to agree with me. In fact, I have no doubt I will get a couple wrong, but I guarantee I’m no more than a few players off.