“My Legs Were Kind Of Dead”
January 2nd, 2022
Winner, not a quitter.
With 15 seconds left and the Bucs trailing 24-20, the immortal Cyril Grayson caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to give the Bucs a come-from-behind win when they outscored the Jets 18-0 in the final 21 minutes.
The game itself was damn near overshadowed by all the drama.
It was so crazy, from Bucs starting defenders having to fly over Canada to get to SopranosLand for the game (landing 25 minutes before kickoff and racing to the stadium by police escort) to one of the greatest receivers in NFL history melting down in the third quarter on the sidelines, ripping off his jersey, throwing his undershirt and gloves into the stands and then running topless to do jumping jacks in the end zone.
Grayson admits he was totally gassed on the final drive, but a combination of finding a way to win and wanting to live up to Tom Brady’s standards pushed him to pull in the game-winner over Mr. Clean and his Jets.
“When it was a crunch and we were behind, the only goal was to win,” Grayson said. “We were out there, running down the field, exhausted! (Sighs). I had played a lot of special teams so my legs were kind of dead but it was whatever it took.
“The only thing was sticking together. Everybody putting their hand in at that time to do whatever they needed to win. I guess I was the lucky one who gets a little bit of the credit cause I scored. Everybody did their job and we got the W out there.”
So on a day when one of its top players ran to the end zone, waved goodbye and instantaneously was thrown off the team by Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians, it took players that wanted to be there, that wanted to win, to bond and get the job done.
Though depleted by a nasty injury to Chris Godwin and another star receiver quitting mid-game, Grayson said it takes the guys left over, guys that want to be there, to resume the quest to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:10 pm
Cyril Grayson..hero of the day!
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Very modest Cyril. That was a studly catch and route. It showed heart. Cyril can’t replace a guy like AB. There are talent discrepancies but his heart is there and plays like today happen with heart and effort. He could be a ace in the hole that other teams aren’t prepared for. Hopefully the arrow is pointing up on Grayson.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:17 pm
He was a savior for this team today. Might have to be for the playoffs. Anyway a cowboys L and the bucs are the 3rd seed.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Grayson had previously been most famous for having a deep ball bounce off his head.
Now he has a new play that he can be remembered for.
Good on him for being able to stick around and improve tremendously. He not only had that ball bounce off his head, which was one of the worst ‘drops’ I’ve ever seen, but he also showed Ronald Jones level hands on other plays, I think in the preseason that year. So to go from that, to being a starting WR in the playoffs, which he is going to be, wow, what a turnaround.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:19 pm
The arrow has to point up you ain’t going anywhere with just Evan’s and Gronk
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:21 pm
THIS BUCS SEASON IS NUTSO!!!!
Is it all just a fever dream is all this endless insanity really happening?????
There’s way less drama on freaking soap operas.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:22 pm
No Godwin, no AB. Here’s his chance.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:22 pm
Cyril the Normal. He fits in well with Godwin and Evans.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:22 pm
List these no name wideouts are gonna have to step up? Can they? Idk. I have my doubts. Does brady trust them? Anyway season is gravy at this point. Expectations should be lowered down now.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:25 pm
Bucs needs Cyril, Perriman, Johnson and Scotty Miller to give everything they have going forward. One more game to sharpen their skills and be in sync with the GOAT !
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:26 pm
Congrats to Grayson. Brown, can we forget him?
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:27 pm
Who is better? 2020 Miller or 2021 Grayson?
I have to go with Miller for now. His play before halftime was The Greatest play in Buccaneers history.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:27 pm
Cyril!!!
The dude has some hands for being a track star in college and not playing. Right now he is a go route or a go and come back or out. I’m starting to have high hopes for him next year as he learns more of the offense and routes to run. He’s an upgrade from Miller because Miller can’t do anything but go straight.
Johnson has been maddening. He seems like he can be so good and makes some great catches then he drops things he should not, shows up a little out of shape at the beginning of the year… He needs to bring it from day one next year or he’s not gonna find himself on the team
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:28 pm
Lets go Arizona. All of the drama ain’t gonna stop me rooting for everything Bucs. People scoffed at Michael Pittman too. All he did was turn 29 carries into 124 yards in Superbowl 37.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:29 pm
JimmyJack
Right now it’s Miller from last year just because he’s had more opportunity. Overall Grayson is bigger and showing that he can do a little bit more than
just a go route. As he develops route running this year I expect him to emerge as tje #3 next year… Potentially
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:29 pm
@David. Even if you overlook the dropped TD, Tyler Johnson is slow as heck and doesn’t run crisp enough routes to compensate. Michael Thomas doesn’t have world class speed but he feasts because he is smart and runs great routes. I wonder what will become of that dude next year.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:46 pm
One of the coolest things was watching Gronks post game interview. When asked about CG he went off…saying how hard he works…I’ve heard a BA quote like that…and that he’s a cool guy. His teammates like him.
How can you NOT cheer for Grayson who admittedly struggled adjusting from track stardom to wide receiver but by ever account just worked harder than everybody else and made himself into an NFL player.
But takng the top off of the defense…running no risk it no biscuit offense gets cut down in dramatically in the Playoffs when D’s force short dumpoff passes.
Does AB’s loss hurt there…not really..CG’s does for sure but we now have Bell and the improved hands of Playoff Lenny to counteract all those safeties way off the line and stopping deep balls.
January 2nd, 2022 at 5:47 pm
I like this kid!
January 2nd, 2022 at 6:04 pm
Even on the pass that hit Grayson in the helmet…..he was wide open…..the kid has speed….as does Perriman & Miller…..we will have to rely on them from this point on.
January 2nd, 2022 at 6:30 pm
So on a day when one of its top players ran to the end zone, waved goodbye and instantaneously was thrown off the team by Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians, it took players that wanted to be there, that wanted to win, to bond and get the job done.
Precisely. But that’s the case every, on any given, Sunday.
January 2nd, 2022 at 6:47 pm
Think we should find someone to take his spot on special teams. I was still sketpical after last week, but I’m about ready to jump on the Grayson train
January 2nd, 2022 at 6:50 pm
Cyril Grayson is getting a little trust built with Brady. That was his “go to” on that drive. Grayson didn’t let him down either.
January 2nd, 2022 at 7:18 pm
All hail Cyril!!!
January 2nd, 2022 at 7:19 pm
do the bucs have a conditioning coach ?? Hamstrings,quad pulls Rojo gassed one wk , Grayson this wk ??
Grayson is earning TB12’s trust more and more–Cyril has speed + good hands + smarts
January 2nd, 2022 at 8:09 pm
@ Captiva Of course they have conditioning personnel and I am sure they are fantastic. These athletes are doing things we cannot comprehend and stuff happens. However with Rojo and the gassed statement that is on him for not be conditioned period. That is on him. Not sure if he has the constitution to be an elite back.
January 2nd, 2022 at 8:14 pm
Grayson is more consistent than Miller.
Evans, Perriman, Grayson, Johnson and Miller are your WRs in that order for the remainder of the year. Bell is a plus at RB. Need Fornette and especially LVD and Shaq back for the playoffs.
Keep going to Gronk, Brate and maybe1-2 passes per game to OJ.
D needs to pick it up. Hoping we get JPP, LVD and Shaq in time for the playoffs. Without our D playing better we’ll be 1 and done
January 2nd, 2022 at 8:30 pm
Grayson can replace AB. His head is in the game and his routes are perfect. That is better than AB slobbing off and turning the wrong way.
Grayson is faster than AB in a straight line, but Grayson is working on that, with help from the GOAT.
The Bucs can go deep into the playoffs with him, if Leftwich can make a good scheme or 5.
January 2nd, 2022 at 11:59 pm
Nicely written little piece, Joe!
January 3rd, 2022 at 5:26 am
Excellent analysis. Cutting through the chaos, this writer has a keen insight: The players who truly wanted to be there, carry the day.
January 3rd, 2022 at 6:08 am
Grayson…..LSU Tiger and Archbishop Rummel High School (yeah, I know something about both…and there’s another receiver in the NFL from Rummel)
January 3rd, 2022 at 8:13 am
Grayson played like AB yesterday and he should be signed to the active roster no more practice squad for him. Also, take him off the special teams. Remember AB was a six round pick and he was a super star on the field. Well now is Grayson time he didn’t even play college football and played lights out yesterday