How Cyril Grayson Came To The Bucs
January 6th, 2022
Bucs channeled Al Davis.
Yes, yes, yes. We know how Cyril Grayson came to the Bucs because he was signed off the Cowboys’ practice squad.
But whose idea was it to bring Grayson to Tampa Bay? Peter Schrager has the answer.
Grayson, as we know, never played college football. He participated in LSU’s pro day and his athleticism impressed Seahawks types who signed him as an undrafted free agent. Grayson, 28, bounced around the NFL mostly on practice squads and as training camp meat.
But Schrager, co-host of “Good Morning Football,” has a piece on FOXSports.com about how Grayson was on the Bucs’ radar.
The Buccaneers signed him off the Cowboys’ practice squad at the end of the 2019 season. It’s a credit to not only GM Jason Licht but also his top two eagle eyes in the front office — VP of Player Personnel John Spytek and Director of Pro Scouting Rob McCartney — who had been tracking Grayson’s progress and were quick to scoop him up when a wide receiver was needed.
Now Joe thinks this can be boiled down to very simple terms.
First, Al Davis, the former strongman of the Raiders, valued speed above all else. There was no higher trait. As the old sports saying goes, you can teach a guy all sorts of things but what you cannot teach is speed. Davis was fully on board in this belief. You either have speed or you don’t. And Davis wanted speed.
(Hall of Fame baseball manager Whitey Herzog was like Davis when it came to speed. If a player couldn’t run, Herzog had little use for the guy. Herzog often said to whoever would listen to him, “Speed kills.”)
One thing has become very evident since Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians took over in 2019: his coaching staff knows how to coach up players.
The young Bucs had been underperforming and simply were not being developed. After months under Arians, these same players turned into top-shelf players.
So the Bucs basically took a very raw receiver with world class speed two years ago, and now it appears the Bucs have something potentially special in Grayson, who has started the last two games.
Clearly something in Grayson caught the Bucs’ eyes. After that, it was development.
January 6th, 2022 at 5:11 am
HOF TERRELL OWENS JUST HAD A INTEREVIEW SAYING HE COULD DEFINITELY CONTRIBUTE, ESPECIALLY FOR 4 MORE GAMES
WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE
January 6th, 2022 at 5:21 am
Davis loved to get fast practice squad wrs in the first round tho.
January 6th, 2022 at 5:46 am
The thing I liked most about Grayson, other than the game winning TD catch vs. the Jets, was how he gave the ball to the ref or placed it down, not wasting time celebrating first downs. You can tell this kid gets it.
January 6th, 2022 at 5:47 am
I think arians mentioned him blocking well and runs great routes too. Late bloomer could be total package!
January 6th, 2022 at 5:54 am
I have been saying this for a few weeks now. The real CG is now in the building. The guy is a true mix between AB and Godwin. He is more shifty in his route running than Godwin ie AB. And he is every bit as classy as Godwin.
It would be so awesome to see the real CG realize his potential in the wake of Godwin being injured. This way next year the Bucs wont feel completely obligated to over pay Godwin.
They cant afford to piss ME off.
January 6th, 2022 at 6:23 am
Grayson has really shined these past couple of weeks and, just in time. Other WRs expected to perform have not.
Great find! I hope the kid blows up throughout the playoffs.
January 6th, 2022 at 6:56 am
Grayson has been incredibly effective since being given a real opportunity for some targets. Got a hunch that Tom Brady sees him as AB’s replacement going forward into the playoffs, and will use him in similar ways.
Thus far this year Cyril has gotten into only 4 games (started 2) but has 12 catches in 14 targets. That’s an 86% catch percentage which is incredible considering that his Average Depth of Target (for all throws his way) has been slightly over 15 yds (that’s the highest on the team by far, even higher than Mike Evans ADOT).
Got a hunch also Grayson’s why Scotty Miller is sitting on the bench (both are fast, but Scotty’s career catch percentage is only 57%). Tom Brady seems to prefer guys who can catch. Whodathunkit?
January 6th, 2022 at 7:05 am
Miller’s a one trick pony…
January 6th, 2022 at 7:11 am
“Do You Believe in Magic?, (The Loving Spoonfull) after reading these comments. I sure do. It’s like I found a 1966 Shelby Mustand 500GT for $5000 You think maybe the Buc’s GM could go back to this magic kingdom and get the same deal on a defensive player??????
January 6th, 2022 at 7:19 am
How about CGX2 next year……
January 6th, 2022 at 7:23 am
So if it took this long for Grayson to develop, then maybe there’s hope for Darden after all?
January 6th, 2022 at 7:37 am
TO? What, was Joey Galloway unavailable?
January 6th, 2022 at 7:55 am
I did not realize that CG15 is six years out of college.
Man, that guy has paid some dues.
Here’s hoping he stays healthy long enough to cash in.
January 6th, 2022 at 7:58 am
Defense Rules Says:
January 6th, 2022 at 6:56 am
Grayson has been incredibly effective since being given a real opportunity for some targets………………………………………
Stability at ownership , front office mngmt. and player developement is the formula necessary for franchise success not to mention , TB12 enjoy the next 5 weeks . We dont know how long we will have him.
January 6th, 2022 at 8:03 am
Joe in Michigan,
I noticed that too and liked it as well. I hope he continues to produce.
Pretty sure TB really likes throwing his way now.
January 6th, 2022 at 8:04 am
If Hollywood ever makes a movie about Al Davis, Nicolas Cage has to play him.
January 6th, 2022 at 8:10 am
Part of the reason we’re surprised is that we believe the NFL is a meritocracy and that all players are given equal chances and equal LOOKS!
It just doesn’t work that way. This year CG goes into camp with Jaelen Darden.
Which player do we suppose the Bucs coaching staff EXPECTED to win out?
Scottie had already established himself…was CG going to get any looks.
Who did Licht want to win out…one of his draft picks or a no name. Listen Licht wants one thing above all..WINNING…but he’s human and everybody wants to see their contribution validated. Excellent managers like Licht and BA can move past all of that and find the right talent.
CG had a LOT to overcome to get his spot. If you pay attention to comments from BA and Gronk after the game they NEVER mention his strongest asset his speed…they mention what they believe is a stronger asset…his work ethic.
He’s FINALLY getting an honest shot…how can anybody not root for him?
January 6th, 2022 at 8:39 am
Converting a non-football playing track star has been attempted before. There was some gold medal Olympian nicknamed “Oops” Hines, way before my time, and Renaldo Nehemiah who was signed during the 49ers reign. Nehemiah looked great in practice but that never translated to production. I still remember the groans. Nehemiah would have dropped the ball Grayson caught.
January 6th, 2022 at 9:07 am
DoooshLaRue Says:
January 6th, 2022 at 8:04 am
If Hollywood ever makes a movie about Al Davis, Nicolas Cage has to play him.
^^^^^^^^
Near the end, Al Davis looked like the dude from “Tales From The Crypt”.
January 6th, 2022 at 9:30 am
Well, Grayson didn’t play a snap of football for four years of his (young) adult life. Darden cannot use that excuse.
January 6th, 2022 at 9:41 am
Darden will be perfectly fine! No worries! In fact, he’s gonna be a problem when everything clicks. He just needs to get his bell rang good enough to know he can take the hits coming his way. He has Marvin Harrison potential imo.
January 6th, 2022 at 10:12 am
Two good games? Really hope he continues to shine
January 6th, 2022 at 10:14 am
Joe Says:
January 6th, 2022 at 9:30 am
So if it took this long for Grayson to develop, then maybe there’s hope for Darden after all?
Well, Grayson didn’t play a snap of football for four years of his (young) adult life. Darden cannot use that excuse.
^^^^^^^^^^^
Also, Grayson is not scared.
January 6th, 2022 at 11:31 am
Cyril Grayson, Will Gholston and Donovan Smith have all had their play elevated to new levels in the past two years under this coaching staff. This developmental aspect was missing for the most part for the previous 12 years.
Let’s see if Darden, Trask and others cannot also bloom in a couple of years under the current regime.
January 6th, 2022 at 12:06 pm
@Passingthru
It’s a tough transition for sure but not impossible. I’m older and so I can remember “Bullet” Bob Hayes who starred for more than a decade with the Cowboys after his Olympics. Bob Hayes is the only athlete to win both an Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl ring.