AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGrimes’ homecoming on hold
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Imagine how cornerback Brent Grimes feels.
Grimes overcame all of the odds to become a NFL starter and when his team is about to play in his hometown, he’s injured.
Got to be a major bummer.
The former undrafted free agent from Shippensburg played his high school football and basketball at Northeast High in Philadelphia.
Grimes slammed his knee on the turf at the Georgia Dome during Chicago’s fourth quarter touchdown drive. He suffered what the coach Mike Smith said was a bruised knee, but he hasn’t practice since.
Smith is hoping he returns for today’s practice. (We’ll update his return or non-return after practice). Grimes promised earlier in the week that he’d be ready to go.
After not getting any Division I offers, going to Shippensburg University as a running back and then converting to defensive back, getting cut by the Falcons, playing in NFL Europe, making the practice squad and then finally the team, you know that Grimes is going to do all that he can to play in this game.
But if Grimes is not able to go, Domonique Foxworth would step into his spot. Foxworth was acquired before the start of the season from Denver. At some point the coaches have to figure out what he can do because the former Maryland Terp becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Coaches keep saying the Falcons system is so much different than Denver’s and Foxworth (a pretty smart customer) needed time to digest things. Well six weeks and a bye week is plenty of time. Let’s see some Foxworth!
Whatever the case may be, Foxworth or Grimes will be on the spot against Philly QB Donovan McNabb, who’s healthy again and dissecting pass defenses.
The Eagles pass offense (5th in the league, 263.5 yards) against the Falcons pass defense (26th, 231.7) is the glaring statistical mismatch. Rookie receiver DeSean Jackson appears to be legit. Throw in the return of Brian Westbrook, Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis and it could be a long day for the secondary against Andy Reid’s pass first West Coast offense.
Do you hope that Grimes gets to make his homecoming trip and play? Ready to see some Foxworth, but not at Grimes’ expense? McNabb is looking pretty good, how do the Falcons stop him? Should the Falcons steal a page from the Eagles and blitz more in order to help out the pass defense?
Comments
By Trainwreck
October 23, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
Start Foxworth, make Grimes the Dime back and leave Chevis Jackson at nickel
By Poor McKay
October 23, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Falcons definitely need to blitz more. McNabb CANNOT be allowed to feel comfortable in the pocket. And I am hoping to see more of Foxworth Sunday. I like Grimes’ determination, but we need a little more size to match up against Reggie Brown (and big receivers from other teams). Also, it’s time for Boley to have an impact game. If our defense doesn’t step up big Sunday it could be a very ugly outcome.
By mark
October 23, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
the coaching staff has done a good job up till now. they don’t need my imput. go falcons
By mark
October 23, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
the coaching staff has done a good job up till now. they don’t need my imput. go falcons
By mark
October 23, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
the coaching staff has done a good job up till now. they don’t need my imput. go falcons
By mark
October 23, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
the coaching staff has done a good job up till now. they don’t need my imput. go falcons
By **Frederick (Bailey) Douglass**
October 23, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
As I mentioned earlier Ledbetter, Foxy is a tall CB (you need that in this league), Grimes is a nickel back (good in covering routes in between the hashes), and Chevis is a dime back (good dig on the ball on post-corner routes).
I’m with Smitty on this one…Grimes could be from jiblip. As long as he can keep Curtis and Brown in check, I’m all for him. When/if that stops happening, then I’m looking for the next guy that can step in. I think that’s the difference with this new “administration”…unlike Mora’s regime, there is no accounting for athletic arrogance. Either you can get the job done, or you get out of the way for someone else to give it a shot. The mark of a good football team (see new england patriots in the merriam-webster).
By Greg
October 23, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Poor McKay is right on the button: if the Birds don’t put in some good blitzing schemes, McNabb will slice them and dice them. Remember: we haven’t been able to get pressure against any of the decent teams we’ve played, and Philly is by far better than any of them. If they go with the pure vanilla rush they’ve been living with so far, Eagles 42-14.
By **Frederick (Bailey) Douglass**
October 23, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Ledbetter, thanks for putting this out there. Foxy is your corner (you need height OUTSIDE the hashes), Grimes is your nickel (you need quickness inside the hashes) and Jackson is your dime (can plant and drive on post/post corner routes). I think we see it all come together this week.
As for Grimes…he could be from jiblip for all I care. As long as he is battling for balls (unlike Lewis Sanders, Me Hall, Allen Rossum, CHARLES DIMRY, Bryan Scott, Kevin McCadam, Michael Booker, etc.) he has a place on the field. When/If that stops, we turn to someone else. This is what I like I about the new “administration”. There is no accounting for athletic arrogance…get the job done or we find someone who can. This is the N-F-L, which stands for…
By Realist
October 23, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
I’ve seen enough Foxworth already. He has played enough to get burned for at least 1 or 2 TDs. Hopefully, Grimes is healthy by Sunday.
By Darius
October 23, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Grimes has done a good job thus far, but he has yet to prove himself as a every down corner. I think he would be a great nickel back, but Foxworth has more experience, height, and speed. Grimes is too small to play against the Roy Williams type of big receivers out there. He has impressed everyone in Atl, but it is time for Foxworth. We need to see who is going to fit better. Foxworth did learn from the best in Champ Bailey, so let’s see if he can play like Champ.
By Truthteller
October 23, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
One thing I like about the present Falcon brain-thrust is that if they make a mistake, they move on. I think they made a mistake in acquiring Foxworth. They have moved on.
By Bill
October 23, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
I think Jason Campbell is coming along nicely this year…. Go REDSKINS!!!!!!!
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
October 23, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
GONNA BE A HOME COMING FOR SACKS
Listen up dreamers and hear me good
PLAY TIME IS OVER
The commissioner fixed that early weak schedule so that the golden boy would get some confidence, but he almost screwed that up.
NO THE REAL TEAMS ARE COMING UP
THE EAGLES ARE GOING TO EXPOSE EVER WEAKNESS (THERE ARE MANY) AND THIS WILL BE A GOOD OLD FASHIONED WHIPPING AND ONCE AGAIN THE AFTER GAME BLOGS WILL BE EMPTY.
EAGLES 51
LOSERS 7
By FalconsWin
October 23, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
The last time the falcons beat the eagles, we blitzed McNabb all day. I think we will have to blitz him more.
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
October 23, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry, I am an idiot.
By Vick Sucks. . .Still
October 23, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
You do realize Vick Lover or whatever you call yourself, that NFL schedules are made well in advance aren’t you? Of course not. In fact, in 2002, the NFL set the schedule rotations all the way through the 2009 season. Long before anyone had any kind of clue about the Ron Mexico fiasco that was coming, and the turd pile he left us here in Atlanta, and our re-emergence from the ashes with our NEW franchise QB MATT RYAN. I hope you enjoy watching Vick in those Canadian Football games next season. Vick was overrated, so are the Eagles, GO FALCONS!!
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
October 23, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
5 TRIPS IN THE REDZONE…..ONE 3-YARD GIRLIE TOSS
HALL OF FAME STUFF
ELAM WILL BE A PRO BOWLER
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
October 23, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Listen up dreamers.
I am a bed wetter. Sometimes I can’t think straight. But I will root for the man and not the team. It is all about the man and not the other 10 guys on offense. He was so successful by himself.
who cares if the Falcons are good? all I call about is the Vick is the man.
By row3
October 23, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
IS FOXWORTHY ???
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
October 23, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
October 23, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Listen up dreamers.
I am a bed wetter. Sometimes I can’t think straight. But I will root for the man and not the team. It is all about the man and not the other 10 guys on offense. He was so successful by himself.
who cares if the Falcons are good? all I call about is the Vick is the man.
THAT IS HILARIOUS
GOTCHA :)
By Zach
October 23, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
As a fervent Vick supporter from day 1 i disagree that he was overated. If you watched any game he played you would be able to tell that the man was never overrated and could change any game at any point in time.
However, Vick supporter you are an idiot, as you have already made clear by your statements. If the falcons can get to Donovan that will hopefully make up for some of the mishaps in the secondary. In the same respect, If burner can get the ground game going we can keep the ball out of the hands of the eagles offense completely.
I’m going to be watching to see the Anderson can back up his good game last week with another good one this week.
By gdg73
October 23, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Mr. Ledbetter, did you get the scoop on how the staff is going to use Stephan Nicholas. Is staff going to get Brooking off the field in obvious passing situations. Brooking along with our lack of pass rush is the reason we can’t get off the field on third downs. Teams are killing us on short passes in the middle of the field on third down.
By Old School Bird
October 23, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
If Grimes is hurt, I’m curious to see what Foxworthy can do. JElam raved about how smart this guy was when the Birds picked him up, put him out there and let’s see what he can do.
I love the kid Grimes, he has the heart of a Lion, and he’s a tenuous competitor. I agree Grimes eventually has to be moved to the nickel, but right now, he’s one of the top CBs we have.
I also agree with Mark, MSmith staff is doing a great coaching job. Surely if Foxworthy is the guy to supplant Grimes, the coaching staff would have recognized that by now.
By Zach
October 23, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
we need to get brooking off the field completely, the only time I’ve ever seen him make tackles is 7-10 yards down the field. The only time he’s ever at the line of scrimmage is when a offensive lineman is sitting on top of him.
By manny
October 23, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
They need to play foxworth, he is a little bigger and more physical then Grimes and Houston. What do you trade for a corner for that is going to be a free agent and you don’t play him, that’s a waste of draft pick that they gave to Denver. Falcons most def have to handle the defensive backfield in the offseason and draft because they are getting exposed when we aren’t getting a pass rush. We have to blitz more with Boley and Nicholas.
By KingoftheRing
October 23, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
Vick Supporter 2, maybe you should try and contact Vick at Leavenworth and see if he’ll accept you for a conjigul visit. The way you ridiculously swing from his jock on these blogs is borderline homosexual.
By KingoftheRing
October 23, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
Vick Supporter 2, maybe you should try and contact Vick at Leavenworth and see if he’ll accept you for a conjigul visit. The way you ridiculously swing from his jock on these blogs is borderline homosexual. Just sign in as Mrs. Mexico LOL
By richbrave
October 23, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
VICK SUPPORTER 2:
Your posts regarding being a supporter of the MAN VICK and not the 10 other guys on the FALCONS smacks of the general flavor I had of MIKE as a person. I’ve followed his career from junior high as a native of the same region of VIRGINIA as the VICK family. Now maybe I’m wrong. For his sake, I hope so. But the tenure of his existance from his upbringing and high school experience through VIRGINIA TECH and into the pro game leaves a tainted odor of “all about me.”
This sensability tracks nicely with your takes on the man VICK SUPPORTER 2. Nothing personal. I don’t know either of you, but somehow the old cliche “There’s no ‘I’ in team” comes to mind. This consideration appears to be lacking in the thought processes of you both. Just sayin’.
By RUSSIAN
October 23, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
WE NEED SOMEONE BIGGER GUY AND BETTER DEFENDER FOR CB THAT WILL HELP ON THE D SIDE ALOT.
By debilah
October 24, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Leave Grimes alone, I do hope he gets to come home and play. He has worked so hard for this and wants to do well in front of the Philadelphia home crowd as well as Ryan does.
By charles1
October 25, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
I find it amazing that Foxworth was traded by falcons and they not use him that much. This guy earns about $1mill for standing on the sidelines. As I understand the trade conditions, falcons give up a 7th round pick straight up, and it could be a 6th round pick if Foxworth signs with the team after the season. I have heard of team that have a little cap space sign players for depth, and in-case-we-need them basis, after telling all that the player was really needed. Only at the end of the season, they release folks. Foxworth is smart, agressive, has a nose for the ball, and is the most experienced CB on the team now. It doesn’t pass the common sense test not to use him. Grimes is ok, but the secondary, primarily CBs are giving up 250 to 300 yards per game. Falcons haven’t really seen pass-happy teams like they will with philly, NO, Denver, SD, Rams, and Vikes. I’d have Foxworth in there playing and earning his money, as he is the best they have. It is stupid for coaches not to use him when needed on a regular basis, instead of when folks get injuries.
By charles1
October 25, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
I find it amazing that Foxworth was traded by falcons and they not use him that much. This guy earns about $1mill for standing on the sidelines. As I understand the trade conditions, falcons give up a 7th round pick straight up, and it could be a 6th round pick if Foxworth signs with the team after the season. I have heard of team that have a little cap space sign players for depth, and in-case-we-need them basis, after telling all that the player was really needed. Only at the end of the season, they release folks. Foxworth is smart, agressive, has a nose for the ball, and is the most experienced CB on the team now. It doesn’t pass the common sense test not to use him. Grimes is ok, but the secondary, primarily CBs are giving up 250 to 300 yards per game. Falcons haven’t really seen pass-happy teams like they will with philly, NO, Denver, SD, Rams, and Vikes. I’d have Foxworth in there playing and earning his money, as he is the best they have. It is stupid for coaches not to use him when needed on a regular basis, instead of when folks get injuries.
By charles1
October 25, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this
I find it amazing that Foxworth was traded by falcons and they not use him that much. This guy earns about $1mill for standing on the sidelines. As I understand the trade conditions, falcons give up a 7th round pick straight up, and it could be a 6th round pick if Foxworth signs with the team after the season. I have heard of team that have a little cap space sign players for depth, and in-case-we-need them basis, after telling all that the player was really needed. Only at the end of the season, they release folks. Foxworth is smart, agressive, has a nose for the ball, and is the most experienced CB on the team now. It doesn’t pass the common sense test not to use him. Grimes is ok, but the secondary, primarily CBs are giving up 250 to 300 yards per game. Falcons haven’t really seen pass-happy teams like they will with philly, NO, Denver, SD, Rams, and Vikes. I’d have Foxworth in there playing and earning his money, as he is the best they have. It is stupid for coaches not to use him when needed on a regular basis, instead of when folks get injuries.