Ten months removed from a gruesome-looking knee injury, Cody Grimm participated in offseason practices and was back on the field for Day 1 of training camp without limitations. Joe talked to him about his health, having Ronde Barber take his starting job and more.
JoeBucsFan.com: How do you feel?
Cody Grimm: I’m feelin’ good.
Joe: 110 percent good?
Grimm: Yeah, I mean I’m feeling a lot better than I was this time last year with my other injury. It really started feeling a lot better about two or three weeks ago, and it held up today. No complaints. I’m feeling great.
Joe: How would you tell a fan how today was different than Day 1 last year?
Grimm: It was different. It was a lot longer [practice]. The good thing was we got out here earlier than we used to. So that heat wasn’t so bad until the later part of practice.
Joe: The pace seemed slower than OTAs and minicamp. Those were more go, go, go. Is that just the weather considerations?
Grimm: It’s early. Everyone is still getting accustomed to where they’re going on the field and stuff like that. I’d say it’s going to be pretty cranked up here soon. (laughs). A couple of guys cramped up today. It was pretty hard today.
Joe: There’s been so much talked about Ronde Barber moving to safety, essentially taking your position. What’s your take on that and how has that changed your approach?
Grimm: I’m just trying to learn both [safety] positions and do whatever I can to help the team. Ronde’s playing good at it right now and whatever helps this team I’m cool with. Hopefully I can play really well in the preseason and get a competition going. But right now I’d say it’s Ronde’s spot. I’m good friends with Ronde. We haven’t really talked about it, but he helps me and I help him if I can if he has any questions, which he usually doesn’t. We’re just trying to be the best we can be as a team.
Joe: You came into the NFL projected as a special teams ace. Do you expect to play more special teams this year or any different roles there?
Grimm: I hope so. I’ve pretty much played every special teams. Last year I was off a couple. But I’ve always been on punt and punt block, and until they changed the kickoff rule I was on those. So I’m hoping I can be on all of them still. I mean I enjoy playing special teams. I always have. Hopefully I’ll be on them, but it’s Day 1, Week 1. There’s a lot that can happen.
Joe: What was the deal with the conditioning test? Was it that difficult and different for guys?
Grimm: I’d say it was a little harder of a conditioning test [compared to last year]. But I think everyone passed it today that didn’t pass it yesterday. So it’s doable. Everyone’s in good shape and that’s the main thing. They just wanted us to get in good shape before camp and limit injuries so everyone could be on the field as much as possible in camp so we can be the best team possible. Pretty straight-forward stuff.