Loss of Brent Grimes doesn’t have to derail Falcons’ season
Falcons coach Mike Smith knows his team can't go into a funk over the loss of cornerback Brent Grimes. (AP photo)
FLOWERY BRANCH – Lawrence Taylor spent his career terrorizing and sometimes mangling opposing quarterbacks. But even he, the assailant, couldn’t avoid the physical residue of his profession.
“When you get old, everything is hurting,” Taylor said. “When I get up in the morning, it sounds like I’m making popcorn.”
Football is a brutal sport. No player goes through a season without an injury. The only question is whether that ailment involves a broken bone or a shredded ligament, something that can’t be merely iced, duct-taped or sufficiently numbed for the following week’s game. When there’s only 16 of them, the words “can’t play” are avoided at all costs.
Brent Grimes suffered one of those injuries. A torn Achilles not only ends an athlete’s season, it can be career-threatening, particularly for a relative Munchkin cornerback who makes his living running and jumping.
Personally, it’s devastating for Grimes, a player on a one-year contract who was headed for free agency after the season. The question is what it does to the team.
Here’s the answer: If losing Grimes derails the Falcons’ hopes for a special season, they never were going anywhere, anyway.
That’s not a knock on Grimes. He probably was their third-most important defensive player and maybe ranked second only to John Abraham (while just ahead or behind Sean Weatherspoon). But NFL teams lose players every week. The Green Bay Packers lost over a dozen players to injured reserve two years ago when they won the Super Bowl. Among the notable casualties: running back Ryan Grant, tight end Jermichael Finley, offensive tackle Mark Tauscher, linebacker Nick Barnett, safety Morgan Burnett and defensive end Justin Harrell.
Dunta Robinson, who returns as starter, said the Packers can be used as example for overcoming injuries. (AP photo)
“Even though Green Bay is a rival, you have to look at that and say, ‘If they can do it, we can do it,’” said Dunta Robinson, who will return as a starting cornerback in the base defense. “When you lose a key player like we did, people can make a lot of excuses and say things like, ‘Things didn’t go well, and this is why.’ But no team goes into a season and thinks, ‘This is how it’s going to play out from Week 1 to Week 17.’
“We play a fast, physical sport. Guys are going to go down. You can’t prepare for when, but you know it’s going to happen. You can’t come in and make excuses because you know what you’re going to get in this league.”
The loss of Grimes will test Thomas Dimitroff. Every personnel guy has an “on-deck list” — street free agents and players on 31 other practice squad. It also will test the coaching staff, particularly Mike Smith (for attitude) and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan (for scheme).
An NFL team’s season is defined by how it reacts to adversity. Whether the Falcons come together or fizzle will indicate something about their makeup and mental toughness. Smith believes he has a resilient team. But the Falcons’ lack of consistency in 2011 might have been an indication of problems with focus and mental toughness. So what happens now?
“We’ve been through a lot even since I’ve been here,” linebacker Mike Peterson said. “I don’t think there’s a whole lot of talking about this, or guys moping about it. We’re going to miss Brent. But this just means everybody else has to turn it up that much more.”
Center Todd McClure added: “Smitty always talks about it: Everybody’s roles are always changing, and they just changed for somebody over there. But [acquiring Asante] Samuel in the offseason kind of prepared us for this, so we have a little flexibility.”
Late in the 2o1o season, Green Bay linebacker Desmond Bishop told ESPN.com: “I think I read an article a while ago where someone called us the no-name defense. I kind of took that a little personal. … No matter who’s in there, we kind of get plugged into one power source. We go out there as one.”
The Packers went on to win the Super Bowl. It wasn’t just because they had Aaron Rodgers. They had a toughness, even arrogance, that’s needed to win a championship. We’re about the find out if the Falcons have that.
By Jeff Schultz
•
Recent past episodes (no charge):
– Video blog: On Brent Grimes, Falcons’ offense and some early picks
– Falcons finally show an offense worthy of their talent
– Short takes: 3 thoughts on Falcons’ win over Chiefs
– Short takes: 3 thoughts on Georgia’s win over Missouri
– Georgia starts slow, then writes the winning script
– Georgia needs to avoid playing catch-up in SEC again
– Weekend Predictions: Dogs, Falcons win, and a ‘Sack Schultz’ video update
– Falcons, Smith going to amusing extremes to get an edge
– Chipper Jones provides Braves with a needed miracle
– Has Georgia duped us again, or was this just a hiccup?
– Fredi Gonzalez knows if Braves fizzle, he’ll be one to catch heat
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77 comments Add your comment
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 12th, 2012
8:26 am
All you need to know about Flacco……
His coach says pay him whatever he demands…………
All you need to know about CHOKE…………
His coach says……..crickets….crickets…..crickets…………
Deep Ball conquers Dink & Dunk. Afterall this is football not donuts
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 12th, 2012
8:33 am
Grimes injury just showed this dumb team what everybody else around the league already knew……This team has zero depth.
If Grimes can get injured, why can’t Roddy, Julio, Tony or Turner.
The injury bug is contagious and karma is a helluva drug
Dr. Warren
September 12th, 2012
9:31 am
Doesn’t seem likely this will sink the ship, but it may be the difference between winning a playoff game and losing yet another.
sean jones
September 12th, 2012
9:50 am
matt ryan is a very accurate and good qb. I am a COWBOYS fan but i think yall got a great QB down there who is evolving into an elite guy. Atleast he shows up to practice and works his a** off unlike that thug dog killer who never cared!!
Joe 12-Pack
September 12th, 2012
9:52 am
Aren’t you glad that the Falcons have been drafting offense heavy the past two seasons??
There is no depth on this defense. If one more key player goes down, it could be a long season.
sean jones
September 12th, 2012
9:52 am
@ MCR
Who is your team? Do u pull for the Aints or something? U sound like a moron!!!
sean jones
September 12th, 2012
9:55 am
@joe 12 pack
there is no depth on any defense in the league!! If you havent noticed by now——–Its an offensive league. Just ask the Giants who won the Superbowl last year with the 32nd ranked rush defense.
Mike Nolan
September 12th, 2012
12:01 pm
For all of you bashing on @MCR, he sounds like he’s a super smart guy. I bet he’s in this blog while he’s at his huge office down in his own company.
He sure sounds to have the smarts and knowledge not only to football but to life! I’m kind of amazed he’s not working for ESPN as an analyst, well, maybe it’s because that is just not enough for someone with such a high IQ. Keep it up, your comments make me smarter day in and day out, thanks for your much appreciated wisdom.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 12th, 2012
12:20 pm
Come on Falcants fans, you seem shocked that 5 year college player with 22 picks in the final of 5 seasons of college ball and never sniffing even a measely ACC title game, could possibly win a playoff game.
I’m not surprised at all. Dude is the bust that I predicted in 2008.
Yes a bust is a player paid 72 million dollars and never winning a playoff game.
Joey Harrington was paid a whole lot less and has the same amount of playoff wins
Kirk
September 12th, 2012
12:29 pm
@ MCR
Even MV has moved on. Why can’t you?
SirReal
September 12th, 2012
12:34 pm
I’ll be glad when you all stop whining!!! Grimes is GONE ok? Yeah it sucks but guess what? Injuries happen!! And no he didnt lock down his guy every game. I’ve seen him get burned or outjumped plenty of times. Run over as well. Geez, Birdland will you stop the crying already. There are ELEVEN guys on the field, not ONE. You dont see fans in Steeltown compaining and lamenting for days. The fans need to have just as much mental toughness as the team. I’m not gonna keep crying over spilled milk. NEXT MAN UP! LET’S CONTINUE OUR CAMPAIGN FOR A TITLE, AND GO OUT THERE AND GET ANOTHER W!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 12th, 2012
2:51 pm
Champ Bailey has been a shutdown corner his whole career and the other corner (Porter) just received defensive player of the week.
Not a good recipe for a noodle armed qb
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 12th, 2012
2:53 pm
Kirk
September 12th, 2012
12:29 pm
@ MCR
Even MV has moved on. Why can’t you?
______________________________________
When CHOKE does, I will. Sorry buddy I know it’s a crap deal
LOL at The Aints
September 12th, 2012
5:31 pm
Can you say Crap on here,,
Nite Owl
September 12th, 2012
5:32 pm
I have achieved Enlightenment. I am now able to completely ignore Choke’s posts.
It feels really good. Kind of like this beautiful autumn air. [breathes deep, sighs happily...]
That’s it, really. Great article, Jeff. I really like reading you, Mark, DLed, and CViv. You and Mark need to work on some cool nickname like DLed and CViv, though.
Maybe Madley and J-Schoo?
LOL at The Aints
September 12th, 2012
5:38 pm
If you have been here long enough you’ll notice he just keeps repeating himself so after a while you’ve heard everything the dude has to say,,, its pretty comical actually,,
Nite Owl
September 12th, 2012
5:42 pm
Yes, he is the Whoopee Cushion of commenters. Same noise every time, and a lot of hot air.
hbcuclassics
September 12th, 2012
6:24 pm
Black College Power Poll
Week 2
1. Bethune
2. Norfolk State
3. Tennessee State
4. Alabama State
5. Alabama A&M
6. SC State
7. Winston Salem
8. Delaware State
9. Miles
10. Alcorn State
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
billyho55
September 12th, 2012
6:55 pm
COME ON GUYS, WE ALL KNOW MCR IS NOTHING MORE OR LESS THAN A PUNK B!TCH WHO JUST POSTS TO GET UNDER OUR SKIN! THIS IS THE ONLY TIME I WILL MENTION HIS SN AND I CAN ONLY HOPE MORE WILL FOLLOW IN IGNORING A VERY IGNORANT LITTLE MAN AND HIS OBSESSIONS!
ON A POSITIVE NOTE…THIS IS WHEN WE FIND OUT IF THE FALCONS HAVE TRULY TURNED A CORNER IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OR IF THE NAYSAYERS WILL BOMBARD THESE BLOGS LIKE NEVER BEFORE! I, FOR ONE, BELIEVE IN THIS TEAM AND WILL “RIDE OR DIE” WITH THESE BOYS UNTIL THE END! TIME TO PUT UP OR SHUT THE * UP, BOTTOM LINE FOLKS!
billyho55
September 12th, 2012
6:58 pm
SORRY FOR MY LANGUAGE MR. SCHULTZ, JUST COULDN’T LET IT GO ON ANY LONGER!
Fred
September 12th, 2012
7:31 pm
Dunta and Thomas Dimitroff are gonna’ have targets on their backs when Manning comes to town. Donkees can run the ball too. Time to strap on and hunker down, or things could get ugly.
billyho55
September 12th, 2012
8:24 pm
WELL SAID FRED! WELL SAID!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 12th, 2012
8:54 pm
You can’t ignore me, you can only hope to contain me….ha ha.
Seriously, if this is how to ignore, I can only imagine what it’s like to be featured….ha ha
In other news CHOKE is till 0-3 in the playoffs and SUCKSSSSSS
yo mama
September 13th, 2012
6:46 am
i think the falcons defense can improve. nolan has a system, and its called a pressure cooker type. he says they wont have any one player with a ton of sacks, but we will have more players getting sacks as a unit. when was the last time the falcons had a 3 sack game? sunday. three different players got a sack, abe caused a fumble, spoon batted down a third down second half attempt, william moore got a pick, so did nicholas! guys we played zone prevent defense the first half. but the pressure kept coming, so it was the falcons effort that changed at halftime. i like that nolan coaches from the booth. he can see the everything. our defense will get better. smarter football people are on our staff. one other thing. after re watching the game on directtv shortcuts, i iso’d on the play of Sam Baker. Ladies and gentleman, the man is back, looked great, was agressive, and his balance and footwork was perfect. ryan had all day with his backside protected. no one got near matty ice from baker’s side. that sack came from clabo’s side when he whiffed on Justin Houstons blitz.
Buck Belue says forget the stat sheets on Aaron Murray
September 13th, 2012
11:25 am
NOT big day for ACC not getting Notre Dame for Football.
NOT.
You sold out. Whatever Notre Dame does is NOT counting toward ACC in FOOTBALL.
Hamp
September 13th, 2012
12:59 pm
Let’s see what the saint do this weekend?!!!
I’d be more worried about that as a saints fan than other team because right now the Bucs looked better than the saints did in a lot of areas.
Saints fans be afraid be very afraid. HEE HEE HEEEEEE!
sainthiram
September 15th, 2012
5:32 pm
yeah i wouldn’t worry about grimes derailing the season , matty melt has proven time and time and time again he can do it by himself !