Cyril Grayson Lurking In The Shadows
May 11th, 2022
Bucs WR Cyril Grayson.
Is anyone else uneasy about the Bucs putting so much weight right away on Russell Gage’s shoulders?
Look, Joe has nothing at all against Gage. He seems like a helluva pickup. But he doesn’t know the offense yet. Hasn’t had an organized practice and to Joe’s knowledge has never caught a pass from Tom Brady (though it is possible the two may have linked up in South Florida or Montana).
And remember, Gage is supposed to be one of Tom Brady’s go-to receivers in four months, hit the ground running, hoping to fill the void until Chris Godwin returns from rehab.
Hiding in the shadows is a guy who really, really made strides last year and seemed to have built both a trust and a relationship with Brady. That would be the immortal Cyril Grayson. Yesterday during offensive assistant coaches media availability, wide receivers coach Kevin Garver spoke about the progress Grayson made in 2021.
“Confidence and opportunity – those are the two things that just come to mind,’ Garver said. “He was a track guy. He played high school football and then went to LSU for track and then got in the league, so he was really kind of learning the position in a way.
“He has really put in a lot of work and time. I think that’s kind of where the confidence piece comes up – understanding what to do and how to do it. Then, really just looking for that opportunity. A guy goes down and it’s your opportunity to step up and take advantage of those opportunities.”
Grayson, a burner, made key, clutch plays last year: one that should have beaten the slimy Saints and one that did beat the Jets. While Grayson only caught 10 passes, he averaged 21 yards a catch, which is nuts.
Joe has a hunch in the early going this season, Grayson is going to be a key weapon.
May 11th, 2022 at 4:23 am
No. Gage is a veteran more than Grayson. A learning curve perhaps will occur but there are plenty of targets. Can’t see Gage having that much weight on his shoulders. Grayson’s speed is a good problem to have.
May 11th, 2022 at 4:59 am
Small sample size, but Grayson showed he could play last year. Will it continue? It could’ve just been a flash like we see from Perriman every now and again. We’ll see.
May 11th, 2022 at 7:09 am
It would be nice for one of our receivers to step up not just Mike and Chris
May 11th, 2022 at 7:15 am
Does he have a football body, or a track body? Football players play through pain, they go when they’re ot a 100%. Look how long it takes track guys just to get into their stance for a race. Everything has to be just right, always shaking their legs. They are a walking hammy waiting to pop like Grayson did last year. I believe he has the talent, but I’m not sure he’s a football player, or just another track guy wannabe.
May 11th, 2022 at 7:16 am
That rookie from Utah!…..STEPS UP!!
May 11th, 2022 at 7:22 am
Grayson and Perriman both flashed their speed and potential. And Scotty can play, he was the man in the Rams playoff game before the infamous final 42 seconds. Tyler Johnson also has potential but may not have the work ethic that Grayson has, which could put him in trouble .
May 11th, 2022 at 7:25 am
We’ve got some serious depth at WR…..don’t count out Perriman as a contributor…..and I look for Tyler Johnson to continue to improve along with Grayson……my only question is Scotty……where did he go?…..but his ST play was excellent.
May 11th, 2022 at 7:33 am
No, that is why we brought in Russell Gage, because he is an upgrade from Grayson.
May 11th, 2022 at 7:44 am
Joe in Michigan…. not only small sample size, but small in stature as well. He and Scotty Miller are both 5’9″. They bring speed along with good hands. But when it comes to competing for a ball, they can’t do what Evans, Godwin, and hopefully Gage can do. So, I see Grayson as more of a complement to Gage, rather than someone who will compete for the #2 position in Godwin’s absence.
May 11th, 2022 at 7:45 am
Nervous about gage? Hell no. I know you don’t watch the falcons (because you literally just said so on Ira’s pod), but the dude is a massive weapon.
May 11th, 2022 at 7:51 am
Gage is greater than Grayson, Miller, Perriman, etc.
May 11th, 2022 at 8:05 am
Hands… all about his hands … we’ll see soon enough
May 11th, 2022 at 8:24 am
Stay healthy and catch the ball…
I’m skeptical of Grayson. As soon as he made a few nice plays towards the end of last season he goes on IR.
Typical track star in the NFL.
Stay healthy – catch the ball.
May 11th, 2022 at 8:36 am
Joe … ‘Is anyone else uneasy about the Bucs putting so much weight right away on Russell Gage’s shoulders?’
Great question. Simple answer … No. Bucs are paying Gage $10 mil a year for a good reason: he’s shown that he can play, and play in big-time situations. Doesn’t need to be coddled. just needs time with TB12 to develop ‘chemistry’.
Beyond that, agree with TBBF that Bucs have some quality depth at WR: Grayson, Scotty, Perriman & Tyler Johnson. They all have the best QB ever tossing the rock to them. They all have speed. And they all know what’s at stake. Time to produce.
May 11th, 2022 at 9:02 am
We know Evans, Godwin, Gage and Johnson will be there, when all are healthy. That leaves 3 spots. I prefer Perriman, Grayson and Darden. Scotty speed becomes void when you consider Perriman and Grayson can run just as fast but they can also do so much more. Also, while Scotty made a few plays, I wasn’t overall impressed with his special teams play last year. So unless someone else appears, Evans, Godwin, Gage, Johnson, Perriman, Grayson and Darden will be our 7 guys.
May 11th, 2022 at 10:07 am
Sorry maniac, I gotta go scoot over Darden. Scooter is a tough son of a gun and TB and he have chemistry that started with those unofficial practices in a local park in Tampa in 2020. There are quotes referring to the instant bond scoot had with Brady. Balls were dropping down perfectly in stride right into his hands. Scoot had a bad foot injury that ruined 2021 but he worked hard on STs and will come back strong this year.
May 11th, 2022 at 10:08 am
Much rather have in no particular order Julio, Fuller or Odell than Gage as our 3, and definitely over our bench guys, 6/1 is shopping time, we’ve seen what happens when our top guys get hurt, bench players are who they are for a reason, sure Breshad Grayson Miller make big plays on occasion, but trusting them for multiple games no thanks
May 11th, 2022 at 10:10 am
Grayson does appear to hurdle one track Guy problem so far ….. HANDS he appears to actually have legit hands ……… one down change of direction / foot work/ routes and injuries to go …….. so one of three boxes checked .
May 11th, 2022 at 10:11 am
^^^^^
How could you keep Darden over Scotty Miller? Are you nuts?
May 11th, 2022 at 10:52 am
I like that guy. I like everything about him. He’s definitely an asset.
May 11th, 2022 at 11:01 am
Bucs have a number of receivers that have the ability to step-up. I don’t think the Bucs will lack weapons this year. Although, Gage is not an upgrade over AB, on talent,…he is a big positive for the team. Now, Brady can just throw to the open guys and not try to keep AB happy. Additionally, White is going to bring some flexibility and we might see him on the field with Lenny in some sets.
May 11th, 2022 at 11:03 am
Darden sucks out loud. He’s awful.
Only a moron would want him over anyone else.
May 11th, 2022 at 11:40 am
Darden’s crap. Just taking up space. Bucs admit it & cut him, so someone else can show what they can do. That’s been a big problem with Bucs. Afraid of cutting draft picks when the writing’s on the wall.
May 11th, 2022 at 11:53 am
Throughout Bradys career he loved WRs that stretch the field. Grayson essentially is filling the role of AB. Gage, Godwin, Evans bring a completely differant element. Sprinkle in Gronk and weeeee here we go again on Offense. Now the D needs to get their act together.
May 11th, 2022 at 11:55 am
I think we’re out of descriptors for Darden, so I don’t need to go there. Scotty will get more opportunities this year and if he’s completely over the turf toe will return to playoff form.
May 11th, 2022 at 12:26 pm
Yup, I’m uneasy as hell going into the season with only two proven starters at wide receiver. Not drafting one was a mstake unless Licht has plans to pick up a decent receiver in free agency. This offense runs through it’s receivers and being short handed to begin the season will be irresponsible at best.
May 11th, 2022 at 2:04 pm
Without the ability to get separation, Brady will never get the rock to you. RG will get that separation for the most part! These WR need to step up their route running, especially against cover 3. The Rams and Saints had our number!
May 11th, 2022 at 2:36 pm
Grayson was $$ and the end of the season great depth player w SPEED which btw KILLS!!
May 11th, 2022 at 2:52 pm
It will take Brady a couple of games to really get on the same page as Gage. In that time Grayson will make a big splash.
That splash will give him more of a snap count, though a lot of those will be for his other strength, he will be blocking downfield.
He is our best receiver for doing that and will have a hand in a lot more touchdowns than he, himself, scores.
May 11th, 2022 at 2:58 pm
Greyson is a good wr4 I feel very good about Evans Godwin a d gage being the starters ab was still a talent for sure even though he is a bit of a headache but gage is going to offer alot of versatility in what the bucs will be able to do that ab didn’t bring. Going to be alot of fun to watch.
May 11th, 2022 at 3:07 pm
Should we open a betting line regarding what day Dardone gets cut? Licht moves on from mistakes. Whoever said he doesn’t isn’t paying attention.
May 11th, 2022 at 4:50 pm
I am glad JOE continues to think about & write about Cyril Grayson.
He is on my mind too. I could be crazy wrong but I think there is a special spark in this dude.
I think he may perform a WHOLE lot better than people will expect.
May 11th, 2022 at 6:24 pm
Gage is going to make some slot corners look silly this year. Dude is a straight baller. Grayson will make some plays too, but if we do this right, Gage is going to be a problem that’s going to get us some wins against some tough defenses. Dude is a route technician and tough as nails. Go Bucs!
May 11th, 2022 at 7:12 pm
Joe seems a little pessimistic today with these last 2 articles lol
May 11th, 2022 at 7:13 pm
Joe seems a little pessimistic today with these last 2 articles lol