The R-Word
July 13th, 2017
Pondering the future.
Seems like a whole lot of folks missed the trees because of the forest.
Yes, yesterday Joe highlighted the cool SI.com feature story of Brent and Miko Grimes, the first couple of the Bucs. A whole bunch of folks seemed drawn in if not galvanized to the story’s revelation that in an effort to be set free from the mess that was the Dolphins, Miko used social media to grease the wheels to expedite Brent’s escape.
What most seemed to either ignore or flat out miss was that Grimes confessed he seriously considered retiring after the 2016 season. Grimes will turn 34 next week. Given history and Father Time’s undefeated record, he is clearly closer to the end of his playing days than the start.
Not to be overlooked is that Grimes is in the final season of his Bucs contract.
Now there was a reason Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht drafted Vernon Hargreaves in the first round last year. That was in part because Grimes is hours away from 34 and that Grimes very likely could be playing his final Bucs season, if not his final season in the NFL.
The fact Grimes seriously considered retiring this offseason means the possibility Grimes won’t be back next season with the Bucs is very real. A lot depends, of course, on how Grimes plays this fall, and whatever cash he is offered to play next season.
If Grimes, who was jobbed of a Pro Bowl selection, plays at the same level he did last year, Joe is of the mind Licht should offer him another contract.
If Grimes continues to perform, why wouldn’t the Bucs want him back? Though at the same time they should being mindful of Father Time’s stubbornness.
Hey, Ronde Barber retired at 37.
July 13th, 2017 at 11:11 am
Gonna be hard to draft the top cb next year with the 32nd pick in round 1.
July 13th, 2017 at 11:14 am
Regardless where the Bucs pick next year, would be surprised if they spent a first round pick on another corner, unless it was another O.J. Howard-like surprise present.
July 13th, 2017 at 11:23 am
And there’s no garuntee he’d re-sign with Tampa. Miko sure does love LA. And if Miko isn’t Raider material idk who is.
July 13th, 2017 at 11:24 am
Be that as it may, let’s make sure it comes off the heels of dancing in Minneapolis then.
July 13th, 2017 at 11:26 am
For the next couple of years, the Raiders will be in Oakland. Just a six-hour drive away.
July 13th, 2017 at 11:34 am
Im not worried where he will be next year, I just don’t want his game to slip this year.
July 13th, 2017 at 11:34 am
I still say we made a mistake not taking a db at the number 2 pick in this draft.
July 13th, 2017 at 11:44 am
Destinjohnny right on, if not drafting one this year at least go the FA route and have 3 starting corners, not a good sign when your starting CB was pondering retirement
July 13th, 2017 at 11:54 am
30 mins is a CHAPPA? Think big Joey B.
July 13th, 2017 at 12:11 pm
Had we brought McDougald back we could have used that #2 pick on a starting-quality CB … or packaged it with out 5th rounder to move up and nab Dalvin Cook … but … oh well I love our squad!
I expect the Bucs to draft a RT and all defensive players in next year’s draft …
July 13th, 2017 at 12:33 pm
@NFL NUT – I agree with that assessment of next year’s draft
July 13th, 2017 at 12:41 pm
It’s time to start looking at a replacement DT for McCoy in the next draft pending the quality in the draft.
July 13th, 2017 at 1:40 pm
Guys, we had more holes on this roster than swiss-freakin’-cheese and you’re lamenting the Bucs not picking up a corner?! It takes years to recover from a 2-14 season with NO talent. Next year will be the same. We have aging players whose play is diminishing every year. Yeah, we’ll need to talk DT, and RT, and DB, and that doesn’t even take into account players leaving for free-agency.
We have serviceable corners behind Grimes and Hargreaves. If we generate a better pass-rush, we’ll be just fine.
July 13th, 2017 at 1:54 pm
So far we’ve got a CB, DT & RT going in Rnd 1 (with our #32 pick. No takers on drafting another DE in the 1st rnd? Or perhaps a RB if none on the roster jump out this year? Or perhaps a LT to back up Donovan? (Maybe he could get a few years in at RT too?)
July 13th, 2017 at 2:09 pm
I think R1 priority will be BPA among DT/DE/OT. Maybe CB if it’s a Howard like value as Joe said.
Our D-line is old (all DTs are like 28/29+)
Outside of Will G & Spence we don’t have much else at DE in terms of youthful promise. And both of them have limitations. Would be nice to have a young DE who can rush the passer and defend the run like Ayers.
We have a nice group of youthful guys at CB developing in VHIII/ Ryan Smith / Javeon Elliot / Hey Jude. We will need to add a body if Grimes leaves but I don’t know if needs to be R1. A pass rush will make any CB look a lot better.
Basically in the end for me on defense it’s always front 7 > secondary in terms of where I’d spend my $$; and the D-line happens to be our oldest position group as well
July 13th, 2017 at 2:12 pm
Ok correction – McCoy is 29. Baker will turn 30 this year and McDonald is 30 right now.
Put me down for DT as #1 priority in the draft.
July 13th, 2017 at 3:20 pm
Next year: DT, DE, CB, OL
July 13th, 2017 at 4:07 pm
Offseason speculation about what will happen the following offseason is a fairly silly endeavor.
Gotta get through this year and see what comes out of it to know what the biggest “needs” will be heading into the following year.
July 13th, 2017 at 4:45 pm
OL is team’s biggest need to protect Jameis it is still a huge question mark going into the season, you got a guard with a broke back and then a center who HAS never played the position going up against arguably the top 2 DT in the game week one
July 13th, 2017 at 7:32 pm
Joe Says:
July 13th, 2017 at 11:14 am
Gonna be hard to draft the top cb next year with the 32nd pick in round 1.
Regardless where the Bucs pick next year, would be surprised if they spent a first round pick on another corner…”
Still, you have to admire how Dewey Selmon thinks 🙂
July 13th, 2017 at 7:35 pm
As long as he does not announce his retirement on the eve of this season, I don’t really care.
If he retires next year, the Bucs will sign a CB and draft a young CB. I just hope Revis doesn’t sucker the Bucs again.
July 13th, 2017 at 7:36 pm
I could accept a DT in round one next year, if a good one is there.
Although, I think a DE would be better.
July 13th, 2017 at 8:24 pm
I’m really happy Licht signed Grimes. I think he will have another great season.
July 13th, 2017 at 9:41 pm
Yup. They definitely need to draft another CB. I was kind of surprised they didn’t, but they grabbed the safety and Smith is back at CB so hopefully they start seeing something there
July 14th, 2017 at 8:16 am
I know this is football but I can’t help shaking my head when someone ‘loses it’ in their 30’s. That’s young enough to start 1 or 2 more careers doing something else. Think I’ll shake my head again.
July 14th, 2017 at 8:25 am
NFLNut
I 100% agree
The only other offensive players I could see is draft would be more depth on the OLINE