New Official NFL Data Says Brent Grimes Isn’t A Top-Tier Cornerback
February 18th, 2018
(Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
Could the glass be half empty on Brent Grimes? Not when compared to the rest of the Buccaneers roster. There, he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
But what is Grimes’ real value?
The NFL has objective but mysterious “NextGen” data from computer chips placed in shoulder pads and tracking technology in footballs. They reveal all kinds of numbers but the NFL keeps much of it private. And NFL teams themselves can only access data on their own players and have yet to be granted access to every team’s data. That access is supposed to open up for teams later this year.
For now, fans get periodic analysis of NextGen data on NFL.com.
In a recent study of cornerbacks, Matt Harmon used a formula that looked at full-time cornerbacks to determine who ranked the best in coverage. Brent Grimes did not get into the top 10, and he was not among the for cornerbacks discussed in the “bonus notes.”
The following are the primary criteria, and you can see the rest via this link.
— Passer rating allowed in coverage.
— Catch rate (completion percentage allowed in coverage).
— Yards allowed in coverage on a per-game basis.
— Interception rate (interceptions divided by total targets).
No surprise to Joe that seven of the top-rated corners are in the AFC, which is the significantly weaker conference for quarterbacks.
Regardless, this is an interesting look at a time when the Bucs are deciding whether to pay Grimes like a top-10 cornerback for 2018. He’s an excellent player and extremely valuable to the Bucs, but Grimes also was not healthy in any game last season, per his wife. And he missed three games and wasn’t the A-list stud he was in 2016.
Paying Grimes should be an easy call for the desperate-at-corner Bucs, but it would be understandable if they’re also looking elsewhere.
February 18th, 2018 at 4:47 pm
According to Tmaxi-pad it is because he was infected by Cancer93 because he is a lifelong loser that never led his team to a playoff birth. Nevermind that Aaron Donald studies GMC to figure out how to get better. JJ Watt SUCKS because his team never got to the playoffs with him as the leader on the line. Phucking Cancer JJWatt!!!!!!!!!! YOU should Win games for your team. Nevermind about Joe Thomas and Cleveland never going to the big games. Joe Thomas SUCKs! and is a Cancer on his team!
Facetiousness I assure you guys. But trolls are serious!
February 18th, 2018 at 4:48 pm
He’s not elite as was evident on numerous big plays last year. He simply looked elite next to the rest of the Bucs stable at CB.
The best bet to shore up the defensive backfield? Getting ridiculous amounts of pressure on the QB.
FIX THE TRENCHES, FIX THE BUCS!!
February 18th, 2018 at 4:50 pm
Grimes is not a top 10 corner, but when he’s all you got, sadly, you gotta do what it takes to keep him. He’s the type of player that N.E. would have let walk before last season. Need major upgrades at CB and DE if we want to make the playoffs any time soon.
February 18th, 2018 at 5:02 pm
How can a top tier CB be on the worst defense in the league? Not saying Grimes is bad but the numbers just don’t add up. Maybe he could be playing around a seven yard cushion instead of a fifteen.
February 18th, 2018 at 5:19 pm
Grimes is a straight up baller who made plays. We are better off with him. Not only is he a technician, he is a leader. I hope he’s back next year. Go Bucs!
February 18th, 2018 at 5:32 pm
Jason Licht needs to get some teeth (edge rush) on this defense. Can’t win ball games humming your opponent to death.
We beat the Patriots last year with actual bro level edge rushers.
February 18th, 2018 at 5:40 pm
No its not understandable….Grimes was the only DB on the roster sart enough to know whern to ove up in this zone defense. He was by far and away the least targeted corner on the roster. Only a complete moron wouldnt pay the man, And by the way he played all 16 gaes in 2016, and Im pretty sure he played all games for 2014 and 2015 for the dolphins.
Talib and Grimes MIGHT help Smith not look like the complete isiot that he is but that is only because they are experienced enought to know where to play and not listen to the idiotic defensive coordinator and play out of position ….the reason hargraeves regressed
February 18th, 2018 at 5:49 pm
Grimes has the best technique I’ve seen the truth is
If we’re on a better team everyone would talk abt him
February 18th, 2018 at 5:59 pm
I’ve said it before…let him walk period. Get 2 press man corners. It can be done. Doesn’t matter who we get to fix the Dline, if the corners play off coverage…i.e. Grimes. I’m not saying he sucks. Just saying i would like us to challenge the WR at th line instead of the keep it in front mentality. And all this..he’s the best got so he must be good, i say SILENCE. Stop settling
February 18th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
Desperation is not a good enough reason to overpay someone who wants to retire or looking to get one more big payday. He’s old and I’m willing to bet he’ll have the same impact darelle revis did or Vincent Jackson had in their last contract. He can’t cover the best receivers of the opposing team and that’s the only reason you’d give big money
Only a complete moron would pay big money to someone that old when you can give it to someone younger than grimes or talib that’s just as good if not better.
Dude is good but not good enough you warrant a big contract, that will be a signal to every other free agent to make the bucs overpay because there are desperate for wins. If we added a fuller or Johnson in free agency no one would think twice about him and besides he’s waiting to see if another team will help drive up the price, don’t need a guy like that
February 18th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
I like Brent Grimes but, honestly guys…when a 5’7, 35 year old CB is your best DB you got serious problems in your secondary…
February 18th, 2018 at 6:08 pm
Don’t they teach basic quant in journalism data. What that fantasy guy did with that data is beyond idiotic. Why don’t they let someone that knows what he’s doing put those stats together. I also wonder about how good the “chips” are at correctly tracking who is covering who in zone coverages. I would bet the data really penalize peel and help guys like Ramsey.
February 18th, 2018 at 6:11 pm
No more Grimes….THIS TEAM NEEDS TO ..BEGIN TO BUILD A WALL ON BOTH SIDES OF THE LINE….
February 18th, 2018 at 6:15 pm
What’s all this percentage bull crap. From what I saw they barely even throw at Grimes while they pick on our other players in coverage. How many yards did he give up? How many TDS? Those two things matter more then these Nancy percentages. If I were computer savvy I’d look it up myself.
February 18th, 2018 at 7:05 pm
It’s a bad situation all around. He’s not worth top money, but the options on the roster are insanely slim.
February 18th, 2018 at 7:08 pm
Pay him whatever he wants. We have plenty of cap room, and it isn’t going to hurt our cap situation long-term. There’s literally no reason not to, unless you really think Ryan Smith and Vernon Hargreaves just need the reps to possibly turn into NFL caliber corners.
February 18th, 2018 at 7:09 pm
STEVEK,
Your above comment was actually sensible and logical … good job.
February 18th, 2018 at 7:20 pm
He had a handful of dominant games last season, but also several pedestrian performances as well.
I am of the opinion that we need two new starting outside corners this off season.
February 18th, 2018 at 7:45 pm
Like grimes alot,but we haven’t been lucky counting on players not to be injured.
That said ,I have seen him be pushed off a play in the endzone with a push not big enough to attract the ref’s attention. He has the ability to play off coverage well most of the time. But VH3 should never have been taught this technique,
because he lacks the athletic ability to play like Grimes.
February 18th, 2018 at 8:26 pm
Again guys…I’m 70 so my age prejudice is obvious but really guys in their mid 30’s are not just half my age…they can still produce for as many as five more years unless they’re a freak like Darrell Green who played till 42.
Depends on their nutrition, training, want to, a lot of reasons that are far more important than the birth date on their drivers license.
Brent Grimes still has great hops. He still has good closing speed once the ball is up in the air….it’s a great skill set for when you get beat…if you can make up ground and Brent can still do this. Miko carefully monitors his food intake…very health oriented and Brent does his work in the gym.
I do not know about Aquib Talib one way or the other. If he still wants to play I can only imagine he too takes care of his instrument. For an NFL player their body is their earning unit…if they take care of it fine…then age is just a number….if they don’t…they are out of the league.
February 18th, 2018 at 9:22 pm
You know what else tells me that Joe? my eyes.
February 18th, 2018 at 10:36 pm
I’m confident licht is at a local wing house conjuring up a plan to build up the anemic pass rush and lack of quality cbs.
February 18th, 2018 at 11:08 pm
The bucs atrocious pass defense tells us that as well, great job licht grabbing an over the hill DB, licht is such a poor GM, he makes the morons running the rays look competent
February 19th, 2018 at 1:22 am
IF the Free Agent market is a good indicator of performance and value. Then consider of that of all the free agents CB’ s available this year Grimes is ranked 15th. This isn’t a ranking of all CB’s in the league, just the available free agents .
Therefore if there is leverage in the negotiations to resign him it belongs to the Bucs.
February 19th, 2018 at 2:01 am
I’m sure Joe knows that you sign back Grimes AND look (and sign) elsewhere. Then have a damn coverage scheme that the guys are coached to execute, not this “We give our guys leeway on how much cushion to give.”
It’s 3rd and 8 – you don’t give the guy a 15 yard cushion! Arrrrggghhhh. This team sucks.
February 19th, 2018 at 4:35 am
OneBuc55 Brent is not 5’7” and so what if he is going to be 35. Also to all the haters on here talk about someone you like. I would like to respond to all the Haters, but is it really worth it. How many of you are FB owners, coaches or players? You are entitled to your opinions, but some are just that your opinions and nothing more. BYE
February 19th, 2018 at 8:22 am
Debilah, I agree it would be good to see more posts about something a fan likes instead of repeated negative posts. Almost seems like joebucshaters.com. Go Bucs!
February 19th, 2018 at 8:28 am
JoeBucHaters is what you get for 15 losing seasons, not sure as a buc fan in 2018 what there is to be happy or positive about
February 19th, 2018 at 6:50 pm
Grimes is a great cover corner in man Zone however he is a p word when it comes to tackling a running back
February 19th, 2018 at 8:33 pm
Leave the man alone, Grimes does his job.