The Brent Grimes Conundrum
February 28th, 2018
Return unclear, says Bucs GM.
Jason Licht finds himself in a pinch.
The Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager knows he has one of the game’s better cornerbacks, Brent Grimes. Licht also knows Grimes will be 35 by the time training camp opens this summer.
More important, Licht knows Grimes is a free agent and only Grimes and perhaps his wife, Miko, know what Grimes wants to do when the dinner bell rings on free agency in 14 days.
It should spook Licht and all Bucs fans that Grimes toyed with the idea of retiring before the 2017 season to play professional basketball in Europe. To paraphrase Bear Bryant, if Grimes thought about that before, he is probably thinking about that again.
What Licht doesn’t know is if Grimes wants to return to the Bucs at all, much less football. Most guys in the sunset of their careers want to get a ring. That, on face value, seems preposterous for the Bucs in 2018.
Given the unknown with Grimes, what is Licht to do? Joe asked Licht in a private sidebar this morning with Bucs beat writers behind closed curtains if Licht has reached a point where he has to move on from Grimes unless he gets a firm yes/no answer.
Licht said, in so many words, while he wants Grimes to return badly, he is preparing as if Grimes won’t be back.
“We cannot put all of our eggs in one basket,” Licht said. “But the fact of the matter is we do like Brent Grimes. We are still discussing contract extensions and signing guys from our own [unrestricted free agents]. Right now [negotiations with Grimes] is part of the process.”
Licht refused to give Joe a guesstimate percentage of the chances Grimes returns. But Licht did say he has open communications with Grimes and the two are chatting.
“Yeah, I’ve talked to him recently.”
February 28th, 2018 at 4:09 pm
Brent Grimes will re-sign before FA opens.
February 28th, 2018 at 4:10 pm
Give him a time table to give the team an answer if he doesnt move on fo not dwell on him dont waste the off season waiting on him he comes he comes if he dont he dont move on u hate that this team puts itself in these situations
February 28th, 2018 at 4:13 pm
“We are still discussing contract extensions and signing guys from our own [unrestricted free agents].”
J0E, does this possibly mean deals with Brate, Humphries and Russel is in the works?
February 28th, 2018 at 4:14 pm
Forget the 35 year old Brent Grimes and focus on these 22 year old CBs in this draft. This draft is loaded with good CBs. The Bucs better get their share.
February 28th, 2018 at 4:16 pm
He retires or signs with someone he thinks he might have a chance to get to the SB!!!
February 28th, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Joe
I just heard Licht’s hotline ringing in his office. Its Mo Wilkerson’s agent on line 1.
February 28th, 2018 at 4:21 pm
I’m with both Lakeland and VA Buc. I do think that focusing on the 26 year old Fuller, then perhaps having to overpay the 28 year old Johnson should be our priorities, but giving Grimes a deadline to notify Licht prior to March 14th is a reasonable ask of him, and he did play well enough last year to earn that respect from Licht before March 14th. After that, all bets are off.
Go Bucs!
February 28th, 2018 at 4:21 pm
Dude is going to LA. I’m not even mad ….
February 28th, 2018 at 4:31 pm
BetterBuccinBelieveIt
E.J. Gaines, CB, Bills. Age: 26.
Prince Amukamara, CB, Bears. Age: 26.
Kyle Fuller, CB, Bears. Age: 26.
Darqueze Dennard, CB, Bengals. Age: 26.
Nickell Robey-Coleman, CB, Rams. Age: 26.
Aaron Colvin, CB, Jaguars. Age: 26.
Bashaud Breeland, CB, Redskins. Age: 26.
Terrance Mitchell, CB, Chiefs. Age: 26.
These are the 26 year old CBs
Young guys who can step in and contribute for the next 5 years
They shouldn’t be wasting their time with a 35 year old CB
February 28th, 2018 at 4:36 pm
Prince Amukamara is 28
This error is on WalterFootball
February 28th, 2018 at 4:40 pm
Think Licht is mostly focused on free agency first, then the draft. After free agency, it will be time to talk to the three you mentioned.
February 28th, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Lakeland, I agree that the draft has a bunch of potential high-quality CBs, BUT … that’s still all just POTENTIAL. Pretty steep learning curve for rookie CB (and I don’t think any of us would want 2 rookie CBs starting on the outside this year, or any year anyways). Breaking in one is hard enough, but two? No thanks. Your follow-on list of 26-year-old CBs has some quality CBs on it (I still like Kyle Fuller BTW), and my hope is that Licht signs AT LEAST 1 of them (preferably 2 IF Brent Grimes decides to move on).
February 28th, 2018 at 4:43 pm
@Lakeland,
That’s why I mentioned the 26 year old Fuller, and 28 year old Trumaine Johnson in my last response above….hello. VHIII is like 23-24, and you’ve seen how that’s gone for us.
Gaines has been hurt repeatedly which is why BUF is letting him go, Amukamara has been passed between 3 teams+, Breeland from WAS…their coverage protection was atrocious so no thanks. Might consider Colvin, but he often plays in the slot from what I hear, so no.
Which is why I mentioned Fuller and Johnson…in my first response (above). No draft CB’s for me, thanks.
Go Bucs!
February 28th, 2018 at 4:43 pm
Malcolm Butler, CB, Patriots. Age: 28.
Rashaan Melvin, CB, Colts. Age: 28.
Trumaine Johnson, CB, Rams. Age: 28.
T.J. Carrie, CB, Raiders. Age: 28.
Ross Cockrell, CB, Giants. Age: 27.
Morris Claiborne, CB, Jets. Age: 28.
Nevin Lawson, CB, Lions. Age: 27.
There’s good young CBs in free agency and the draft
Let Brent Grimes go and focus on these young guys
February 28th, 2018 at 4:45 pm
if we keep grimes, smitty will be playing that soft off coverage once again…..because it only favors grimes…..that’s it…..VHG and RS are man press CB’s…..
sing Malcolm butler and any of those guys @lakeland list and draft Holton hill and duke dawson(2 late round picks) and take off!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
February 28th, 2018 at 4:49 pm
813bucboi
I have two lists, that how deep this free agency is for CBs. They can sign Malcolm Butler, Ross Cocktrell.
February 28th, 2018 at 4:53 pm
What free agent wants to sign here, if their QB is suspended and kk shot st playoffs next year?
Hard enough signing up to play for a lameduck coach/GM, and it would be an atrocity to sign up for a team with a lameduck regime with a suspended QB.
February 28th, 2018 at 5:09 pm
BetterBuccinBelieveIt
I know you posted Kyle Fuller and Trumaine Johnson names. I just posted the other guys names to show how deep this free agency is for CBs.
February 28th, 2018 at 5:51 pm
free agency is ripe with certain positions we need this off-season(RB,CB) lets double down on these positions in FA and concentrate on the lines in the draft(OT,OG,DE,DT) that would be the smart and really easy thing to do– we could find some value players in free agency at CB and RB and then the draft is pretty rich with line talent on both sides at least in the early rounds- i would love to see us trade with buffalo and get a DT and DE in 1st round then rounds 2-3 get some o-line guys then you still have 3 more rounds to play with(4-7) for development guys this really could be a worthy off-season if licht plays smart
February 28th, 2018 at 6:06 pm
Move on from OLD MAN Grimes … REPLACE HIM with a younger CB!
February 28th, 2018 at 6:23 pm
Joe, a reminder to all these ppl saying we don’t need Grimes,WE PLAY IN THE NFC SOUTH!DREW BREES,MATT RYAN, AND CAM NEWTON!these guys will tear up those 22yr old CBs in this draft.those same QBs in our division on respect guys like Brent Grimes and if we plan on competing with them we better get Grimes AND another big CB in FA(Richard Sherman, Malcolm Butler,AQIB TALIB!)
February 28th, 2018 at 7:04 pm
The Saints play in the NFC South
I didn’t see teams tearing their defense up with rookie CB Marshon Lattimore, FS Marcus Williams was getting beat up. Brent Grimes and Chris Conte was getting beat up more than them.
Marshon Lattimore | 21 years old | All-Pro
Marcus Williams | 21 years old
March 1st, 2018 at 12:22 am
I like Brent, but it will take too much money to resign him. If they could bring him back for backup money, then okay, but not for starter money. Father time is undefeated, and he is ringing the doorbell. Youth, youth, youth. The Bucs have to look for 2 young CBs, one that can match up with a #1 WR.
March 1st, 2018 at 3:12 am
There’s no conundrum here. They have to assume Grimes isn’t coming back. Acquire free agents and draft accordingly. No conundrum. That is the only reasonable plan.
March 1st, 2018 at 6:44 am
It’s not what Grimes wants it what Miko want’s, The money, biggest offer wins i think. So who wants him besides us? maybe a few teams? You would think he would take the offer of the team with the biggest chance to go to the playoffs and maybe further, but he came hear 2 years ago, i think he is starting to realize it won’t happen this late in his career. To me it looks like he lost a few steps and it showed last season, but…..would’nt mind having him one more year till we can build a descent 2ndary. If the money is right Miko will make it happen.
March 1st, 2018 at 8:36 am
Joe Says:
“Think Licht is mostly focused on free agency first, then the draft. After free agency, it will be time to talk to the three you mentioned.”
I was wondering because Licht said:
“We are still discussing contract extensions and signing guys from our own [unrestricted free agents].”
And it would make sense if they didn’t want to lose the players to some team willing to give up a pick to get them. I think.
March 1st, 2018 at 8:47 am
LakeLand Says
“Malcolm Butler, CB, Patriots. Age: 28.
I would take him.
Rashaan Melvin, CB, Colts. Age: 28.
Unhealthy and unreliable. Underproductive.
Trumaine Johnson, CB, Rams. Age: 28.
I would take him.
T.J. Carrie, CB, Raiders. Age: 28.
On the surface, I would take him.
Ross Cockrell, CB, Giants. Age: 27.
Average at best.
Morris Claiborne, CB, Jets. Age: 28.
Has never stayed healthy for a full reason
Nevin Lawson, CB, Lions. Age: 27.
Not good at all.
There’s good young CBs in free agency and the draft
Let Brent Grimes go and focus on these young guys”
Personally, I think re-signing Grimes is very important. Even if we draft a good CB. Grimes may only play one more year, but he’s worth that year.
That does not mean we cannot go after younger CBs this year as well. It’s not either-or.
March 1st, 2018 at 12:41 pm
The problem with letting Grimes go at age 35 is he is our best cB at present. Which is sad to say. See what they can get in FA before letting him go.
March 1st, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Forget you Lakeland
March 1st, 2018 at 1:01 pm
LakeLand do you ever have anything positive to say about my son? Unless you have something to say that matters to us BYE LakeLand🤬
March 1st, 2018 at 1:15 pm
Of course the Bucs want Grimes back. The question is, what’s the price? There is a ceiling for that, and if Grimes doesn’t want to play football, whatever Licht does is moot. So Licht has the right approach.
Joes, don’t over-complicate this.
March 1st, 2018 at 1:43 pm
The bottom line is by not re-signing Grimes it will take away from our ability to draft a DE/DT/RB in the first three rounds because I will bet you the house that the Bucs do not sign two FA CB’s. If he does not return they have to draft a CB in rounds one or two.