“Every Blade Of Grass”
October 15th, 2016
Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes gets high praise from the high priest of Bucs football
A Bucs legend seems to think Brent Grimes has played with an approach worthy of Tampa Bay’s historic defense of the late 1990s and early 21st century.
Mr. Derrick Brooks has spoken for years about how he and many of his former mates approached their jobs with an “every blade of grass” mentality. That was the championship mindset — fighting for every eighth of an inch on the football field.
In the fourth quarter of Monday’s Bucs-Panthers game, Carolina had 1st-and-10 at the Buccaneers’ 17 yard line. The handoff to Fozzy Whitaker was broken big to the right side.
At the second level of the Bucs’ defense, Whitaker hit a seam inside blocked Bucs DE Noah Spence, but Brent Grimes was there. So Whitaker bounced the play outside and Grimes bounced with him and lunged at Whitaker’s legs at the 4 yard line – as Whitaker lunged for the end zone.
Whitaker came up an inch short of a touchdown in a tied game.
Inexplicably, the Panthers threw the ball on 1st-and-goal, and Grimes picked off Derek Anderson with a leaping grab in the back of the end zone.
“Grimes’ two plays, you talk about when I go back, and I always talk about defend every blade of grass. Make them go through your goal line. It’s because of plays like that,” Brooks told Steve Duemig on WDAE-AM 620 this week. “You tackle him on the one inch, one blade of grass to go for a touchdown. Next play: pick.”
Joe recommends you go back and watch Grimes on that tackle of Whitaker. It’s a thing of beauty. And that really was the highest praise from Brooks.
October 15th, 2016 at 7:58 am
Seems like Grimes has settled down in this Defensive Scheme.Lets see how we look with key players back after the bye.
October 15th, 2016 at 8:06 am
Seems like this team plays better when they take the ball out of Winston’s hands. Same thing happened last year.
Jameis Winston…America’s Game Manager
October 15th, 2016 at 8:29 am
Hopefully, that will serve as inspiration going forward.
I’ll bet Miko gave Brent a special treat for that set of plays!!!
October 15th, 2016 at 8:32 am
Someone allowed 9 catches and 181 yards
Seems like no one cares about it here in tampa but kobe
I know offensive coordinators of our opponents are salvating
Only kobe is worried?
Olsen abused both tampas beloved lvd and the great kwon like he was horseingaround at home with his 5 year old kids
That was not nfl quality pass defense and have not seen that in the last 5 years of watching the nfl
Dont worry just keep stuffing the pro bowl ballots? Lol
The blind leading the blind
October 15th, 2016 at 8:46 am
FlBoyinDallas,
They didn’t take the ball out of Winston’s hands. Did u see that 2-minute drive at the end???
Winston executed with precision clutch.
Without Winston’s throwing ability, we lose that game.
Although, I do love a balanced offense.
October 15th, 2016 at 8:46 am
Typo… *in the clutch
October 15th, 2016 at 8:49 am
Kobe, at the home he of the game the only stat that matters is the win.
October 15th, 2016 at 8:53 am
At the end of the game the only stat that matters is the win.
October 15th, 2016 at 9:11 am
Joe,
You should give an EBG winner each week to the defender who makes the most impactful shortage yardage tackle.
October 15th, 2016 at 9:23 am
The entire game seemingly changed when we got that big hit on Derek Anderson. Dude has a glass jaw. I remember reading a story about his flameout in Arizona or wherever he was between Cleveland and Carolina that in his one big year he was really feeling it early, but got hit so many times that he literally changed during the season and was never the same again. When he plays now if he gets cracked real good he will go down a few ticks.
October 15th, 2016 at 10:48 am
Kobe: Americas troll
October 15th, 2016 at 11:28 am
Derrick Effin Brooks!
October 15th, 2016 at 2:13 pm
Am I the only one who realize that the offense play better in a no huddle offense? With that said I’m proud of how the defense been playing outside of the Arizona game. For the team to win more, run a no huddle and let Jameis run more and for the love of God can we kick the tires on Ray Rice? At this point what do we have to lose
October 15th, 2016 at 3:22 pm
@ErikwClean…
Thank you!
And IF…JW is a game MANAGER what difference does it
make as long as he MANAGES to help us get a win! Just wait 4 it!!!!
October 16th, 2016 at 4:42 am
Nearby, a completely useless article at another website is posted about Brent Grimes and a 2014 tax bill when there is so much other stuff to write about…which is why it’s good we have JoeBucsFan in this town. The Bucs Pass D includes both pressure up front and good coverage in the back. The DBs have not put up good numbers since Week 1, when the D line decimation started. The guys filling in did just enough (do your job) to win at Carolina, with guys like Brent Grimes making plays (and don’t forget the INT and fumble recoveries by the Bucs) to eek out the win. Greg Olsen cannot be shut down EVER. That’s a given going into any game. The Bucs played with what they had, and found a way. What is sweeter than a W? Only an idiot would see this defenisve effort and gripe about it.
October 16th, 2016 at 4:49 am
The whole Grimes saga is pretty interesting. Grimes has done what he can given a decimated D line with weak pass rush since Week 1, and given a wife that is likely a full time job to monitor. Then there are guys writing local story about a tax bill that likely not even the IRS cares a lot about, and Grimes goes out and reminds us how it is clutch plays made at critical times that turn game outcomes. Remember, Grimes is the guy who intercepted a Josh Freeman pass in 2010 when the Bucs were headed down the field to win on Thurs night at RayJay. Poof! Chance at victory gone! So this is a good lesson…and kudos to whatever the Bucs and Brent Grimes did to shut Miko up. However, if they win games, she is welcome to sit on my lap and yell obscenities in my ear at home games if need be.