Grimm Has A Backer In John Lynch

August 30th, 2012

Former starting safety Cody Grimm, a man who played well in 2010 and 2011 but has proven as fragile as Gerald McCoy, was out on the field in Washington last night logging long minutes with the soon-to-be bouncers, Arena League stars, movers and grad students.

That wasn’t a great sign for Grimm.

But would the Bucs actually cut Grimm and go into the season with Keith Tandy and Ahmad Black backing up Mark Barron and Ronde Barber?

That would mean they’d have four safeties who have never started a game in the NFL at the position, which would have to be some sort of modern NFL record.

Grimm did some good things Wednesday but hardly had a great game. He made a couple of touchdown-saving tackles, which opened the door for Bucs icon and TV color analyst John Lynch to declare he believes the Bucs have to keep Grimm because they need his experience off the bench. Lynch also said Ronde Barber told him Grimm is leaner and quicker than in past seasons.

It’s hard for Joe to disagree. Perhaps the Bucs will keep five safeties? Regardless, Joe’s not seeing Larry Asante in the final equation.

26 Responses to “Grimm Has A Backer In John Lynch”

  1. The Dutcher Journal (Pete Dutcher) Says:

    I think they keep Grimm and Black.

  2. lurker Says:

    can’t wait to see the final cuts. it might be eye-popping.

  3. 941-Bucs Says:

    I get what you are saying about Safety experience this year. You can’t over look a few points tho.

    A. Barron and Black are much much better talents at the posistion then Grimm ever will be.

    B. We can’t forget Grimm only has 3 years of Safety experience. He was a LBer in college.

    C. Rhonde Barber (although his first year at this particular posistion ) has more experience then the entire team and most of the staff at the NFL level. Also playing in a cover 2 defense, he was already very aware of the duties of the safety over the top.

    I liked Grimm in his first year and was really rooting for his success. I still really like the under dog in him to overcome the odds. He just hasn’t been the same player since that first broken leg. I’ve seen nothing out of Tandy to make me want him over Grimm. His only advantage is Schiano picked him personally

  4. 941-Bucs Says:

    The thing with Tandy is he and Najee were personally picked by Schiano from WV and the fact they are draft picks. I believe it will give them that very slight edge to avoid a cut over another individual. Both need to make strides through out the season to get them a spot next year tho.

  5. albuc44 Says:

    injury prone cut

  6. schmuckaneer Says:

    Good kid. I’ve always caught flack for calling him an ankle biter and I will remain to call him an ankle biter. I can’t stand a saftey that tries to ankle tackle everyone. I’ve found that Grim is often diving for ankles more than hitting and jarring. I think he is the least able Safety on the roster. Sean Jones had “experience” and I’m glad we didn’t keep him. I’m pretty sure Grim is gone. But he’s a great guy and will get a shot some where else.

  7. The Dutcher Journal (Pete Dutcher) Says:

    941-Bucs, you actually make a good point.

    What’s more…given the early results of Dominick/Morris picks, we as fans might WANT to keep the Dominick/Schiano picks over older ones. Maybe they’ll be less injury prone.

    You, in your wisdom, might have come up with the one argument that could convince me. I like Grimm and would hate to see him go though. Najee would be practice squad eligible though…for that matter so would Tandy.

  8. The Dutcher Journal (Pete Dutcher) Says:

    I’m certain Michael Smith will make the roster. Other teams tried trading for him and he’s proven himself to be good on kick returns. Plus….we would still get to yell “Run, Michael, run!” hehe

  9. knucknbuc Says:

    Problem is Keith tandy is just a better player at this point. So why does it matter how many games he’s started.

  10. BigMacAttack Says:

    No offense to Cody but the Bucs have more than 53 players that are better than him. I think Madu will also get cut but Underwood should make it. Just didn’t see anybody last night on the field to replace Davin Joseph.

  11. mikeck Says:

    I dont know…he’s smart and rarely out of position. Problem is, I’m not sure if he has the physicl ability to make the tackle when he is in a position to do so.

  12. Miguel Grande Says:

    Too bad his name isn’t Forest Smith, hehe

  13. McBuc Says:

    Nicely played Miguel!

  14. Sneedy16 Says:

    Keep 5 safeties and one less cornerback since barber can sub as a corner anyways.

  15. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    Larry Asante is higher on the depth chart than both Grimm and Tandy. And if you watched the first three preseason games Asante outplayed both those guys by a country mile. Not seeing him in the equation means Joe needs a vision checkup.

  16. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    Grimm is always reacting to plays after the fact for some reason. This year so far he’s never anticipated anything in time to do much about it before the opposing team gained significant yards. Some of you guys still have some sort of sentimental attachment to Grimm because of his performance two years ago and his underdog status. Get over it…he’s just not very good.

  17. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    @FLBoyInDallas,

    Exactly. Looks like you are one of the few that get it. I like the guy too, but that doesn’t mean he deserves a spot on this team. It’s a joke how poorly he’s played this season. First excuse (not given by him) was that he wasn’t fully recovered from the knee injury. Then once that was used up, it was that he was feeling better, but he just needed to be able to hit someone in a game situation. He was even given (and I do mean GIVEN) the start in the Miami game, and he was nonexistent in the run game, and a huge liability in the passing game. Against the freaking Miami Dolphins!!! He was pitiful in all 4 preseason games. Name me one play he made besides a couple TD saving tackles.

    It’s amazing to me how people criticize some players for being injury prone or not making plays, yet others get a pass because of how they played in a few game stretch 2 years ago. I know we all like the underdog, but give me a break. He hurts our team when he is on the field. Deny that all you want, but you all know it is true. I’m sorry, but I’ll take Asante over him any day of the week. It’s not even close.

  18. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    And why is no one speaking of Baker? He had 2 INT’s and a fumble recovery. That’s more plays that Grimm has made in 2 years. It’s very hypocritical how people choose to look at previous success, as long as its a player they like. If they don’t like that player, then he can’t have a bad game or he should be cut. Set your personal man-crush feelings aside, open your eyes, and realize that there are better players that should make this team over Grimm.

  19. marc Says:

    HOW CAN YOU CALL HIM INJURY PRONE…DO YOU WATCH THE GAMES JOE. Its not like hes weak, both his injuries were from idiot buccaneers running into or falling on him, if thats injury prone, than the whole team is in trouble.

    Also Grimm didnt have any injuries in his 4yr career in college

  20. marc Says:

    you also have to consider that the bucs do have depth at cb…granted they dont have the the most talent, i too hate watching Lewis play, but we have versatility. In case of injury both ronde barber and keith tandy could play cb. Cody Grimm or Asante (agianst the saints) have both proven then selfs as starters in the past both preforming well when given the chance. Also as a fan id feel comfortable seeing Ahmad Black start or having a back up role considering how much he has improved and how well he has played this offseason

  21. marc Says:

    @ Hawaiian Buc…. look at Grimms stats from when he started and tell me Asante is better. No way. Grimm is one of the best open field tacklers or db’s on the team

  22. admin Says:

    Joe here,

    @Marc – Joe called Grimm “fragile.” He breaks. Sorry. That’s just the reality we know.

  23. Joe Says:

    marc:

    HOW CAN YOU CALL HIM INJURY PRONE…DO YOU WATCH THE GAMES JOE

    Gee, dunno, maybe it was Joe’s figment of his imagination that Grimm breaks a leg or an ankle every year, and has yet to finish a season healthy. Or are you suggesting Grimm has been a model of health since he joined the NFL?

    Question is, do you watch the games, Marc?

  24. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    @marc,

    You have to change that to “was” one of the best open field tacklers on this team. He’s missed a ton of tackles this preseason. Plus he’s been embarrassingly late in coverage. I’m sure it’s a result of his injuries, but that’s just too bad. How do you compare the stats on him versus Asante. Grimm started and played almost every down. Besides, stats don’t always tell the story. I can use my eyeballs and see that Grimm is MORE than a step slow. Perhaps he’s not fully recovered, but it doesn’t change that fact.

  25. marc Says:

    my main point is I dont blame Grimm for his injuries, like I also wouldnt call Davin Joseph injury prone because anyone would break a leg if there teamate pushed someone onto their knee. So far on Sundays, forget preseason, All I’ve seen from Cody is consistant play. I am not saying he is the fastest player and I am not bothered by the few missed tackles he made this preaseason…like the one where reggie bush broke his ankles…because he has been out for some long. But I do like him over Asante or Black just because he has an incredible football IQ and play recognition. Also in some cases knee injuryies that require surgurey can benifit a player and the player comes back feeling more healthy given the time to let his body heal and rehab their knee to make the joint stronger. Grimm also game back in great shape according to John Lynch and Ronde Barber. So I expect to see a different Cody Grimm when the season starts…but only time will tell.

    Also take a look at ex db coach Jimmy Lakes old evaluation of him and maybe it might help you seem Grimm in a different light as it did for me.

    http://www.buccaneers.com/multimedia/videos/Breakdown-with-Jimmy-Lake-Pt-2-Cody-Grimm/8725421a-1caa-4e87-8054-1399c7f6921b

    http://www.buccaneers.com/multimedia/videos/Breakdown-with-Jimmy-Lake-Pt-3-Cody-Grimm/0fe44ffd-f923-4c9a-856b-8456c576e2c4

  26. Joe Says:

    marc:

    Cody Grimm has missed more games because of major injuries than he has played. He has yet to play a full season due to something being broken.

    If that is not injury-prone, then Joe doesn’t know what the term means.