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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- He can dunk a basketball. Backward. Two-handed.
Not bad for a player listed a 5-9, a size that actually might include his hair.
"I can get up," Atlanta Falcons corner Brent Grimes said.
There's no denying, though, he's little by NFL standards. In a league where receivers seem to be getting taller, Grimes is one of the smallest corners in the league, which is why that jumping ability is so important.
• Roster | Depth Chart | Camp tour"My vertical is over 40," he said.
He might need every inch of it. Grimes is expected to start at corner for the Falcons, which means he's an immediate target inside the 20. Lobs will come his way, which he expects.
How he defends them, as well as the rest of the field, will go a long way in determining whether the Falcons can push to the next level after their surprising playoff appearance a year ago.
Grimes and fellow corner Chris Houston just might be the key to the Atlanta season. With an offense that is expected to score a lot, it's the defense that should decide where the Falcons are headed.
When dissecting that unit, it always comes back to the corners.
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Sleeper ... Michael Jenkins: With the Falcons loaded with well-known names in Fantasy circles, perhaps it's the one name who's disappointed owners in the past that will rise to the occasion. Harry Douglas' torn ACL ended his season early, placing more work on the shoulders of Jenkins. When you consider that he'll hardly ever see double coverage thanks to sharing the field with Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, the 6-foot-4 receiver doesn't seem like a bad option as a late-round pick. Breakout ... Jerious Norwood: The Falcons will rely a little more on Jerious Norwood this season in an effort to not only give Michael Turner some rest but to also take advantage of Norwood's abilities. The speedster from Mississippi State has averaged over 5.0 yards per carry in each of three NFL seasons and has 64 catches over the past two. Any bump in playing time will accelerate his production and make him much more than just an insurance policy for Turner. And he's in a contract year. Bust ... Tony Gonzalez: Gonzalez probably is fine with the concept of trading in some opportunities for big numbers in exchange for a chance to win. But he's also been far more productive on teams that can't run the ball versus teams that can. During the big years of the Chiefs' power-run offense, Gonzalez was nothing more than complementary, getting more that six touchdowns twice and no more than 917 receiving yards in any of the five campaigns where his team had a 1,000-yard rusher. Additionally, Gonzalez had 155 targets last year, more than any TE and more than all but three wide receivers. If he's any higher than the fourth tight end taken, he's not going to meet expectations. -- Dave Richard Current Draft Averages QB: Matt Ryan (56th overall) RB: Michael Turner (3rd) WR: Roddy White (29th) TE: Tony Gonzalez (54th) |
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They hear that talk, too. It's a loud and repetitive beat.
"You just have to block that stuff out and go out and play," Houston said. "We know what people say. But we believe in ourselves. We know we can get the job done."
What most see when they evaluate the Atlanta corner situation is the loss of Domonique Foxworth to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency. Foxworth filled in nicely last season after coming over from Denver, but the Falcons weren't willing to pay him close to what the Ravens did.
So when Foxworth walked, it meant Grimes stepped into the starting lineup on a full-time basis if he had a good camp. A year ago, Grimes had the job early -- starting the first six games -- but a knee injury opened the door for Foxworth to take over.
Now he's back in as the starter with Houston, both with question marks next to their names.
For Grimes, it's his size and inexperience. For Houston, it's his inability to play well in zone coverage and what some say is a lacking desire to tackle.
Add it all up, and it's no wonder they have a bull's-eye on their collective backs.
"Of course, you hear all the doubts," Grimes said. "It's a big issue with a lot of people. We just have to prove we can play."
Grimes is enjoying a good camp so far. Several players and coaches raved about his play when I attended their camp. They said he's playing with more confidence and understands the defense much better. Grimes was raw last season, and it showed. He was out of position at times because he blew an assignment and gambled too much.
Now Grimes is more understanding of his assignments. He isn't thinking as much. He's reacting, playing football again.
"It allows me to play faster," Grimes said.
Said Falcons coach Mike Smith: "Grimes is a young, emerging corner. He's a little undersized, but he plays bigger than he is. Small-school guy who is coming into his own."
The Falcons players call him "Cortland Junior" sometimes. It's a reference to Tennessee Titans corner Cortland Finnegan, another small-school corner who is listed at 5-9 but that's pushing it. Finnegan went to his first Pro Bowl last season and has developed a reputation for being a feisty player who played bigger than his height.
dyoung7506: So far, what has the preseason taught you about veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez? Will his addition help the team more in the locker room or on the playing field? Mike Smith, head coach: I think one of the things that is overlooked is what Tony brings off the field. He's the guy who comes out early to practice and stays late. Our young players see that and they want to do the same thing. That's one of the things that's really going to help our team.
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He has that little-man syndrome. Grimes has it, too.
"When you're small, you have to go out and stick your nose in there," Grimes said. "You have to show people you won't back down. You have to be tough."
"He won't back down," Houston said. "He plays bigger than he is."
Houston is the bigger corner standing 6-feet tall, but the Falcons want more consistency from him.
Since Houston started last season that puts most of the scrutiny is on Grimes. Small corners get more attention, plus he's taking over for Foxworth.
"This is a different season," Grimes said. "I know the defense. That makes it easier. You will see more confidence from me."
The Falcons better hope so. Their success just might hinge on their corners, especially the little guy.
"I know teams will come at me," Grimes said. "But I'm ready for it. Let them come get me."
BornHogWild 
