Mini Coupe Power Play Of The Week: Brent Grimes Time

by Dave Choate on Oct 19, 2011 7:30 AM EDT in Editorial

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 16: Brent Grimes #20 of the Atlanta Falcons intercepts a pass intended for Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome on October 16, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Sometimes a good book has two authors. Oftentimes, so does a great play.

With the Falcons up by four, the Panthers were marching down the field late in the second quarter. A score would put them up by 17-14, a crucial lead given how anemic the Falcons' offense was. Though we couldn't have known it yet, the Panthers would march down the field after the half and score. It was clear, given the team's well-publicized third quarter woes, that they needed to stop the Panthers.

Yet Cam Newton expertly guided his team to the Falcons' 10 yard line in just minutes, despite a sack by Sean Weatherspoon and a fumble recovery by Curtis Lofton that was overturned on review. It seemed a foregone conclusion that the Panthers would score...until something awesome happened.

That something was set in motion on first and ten, when Newton looked for Steve Smith in the end zone. William Moore got a hand on the ball, and the now fluttering pass made its way to Magnet Man, who leapt approximately a hojillion feet in the air to intercept it. Brent Grimes then made a risky decision to run out with the ball, taking it to the Atlanta 25 and killing the Panthers' chances of scoring. It was kind of amazing.

Again, without this play, you're looking at a potential 24-14 Panthers lead in the third quarter, which would have changed the dynamic of the game significantly. Through a little bit of luck and a lot of talent, C4 and Grimes made the play of the game.

Do you agree, or do you have another play in mind? There were a lot of great ones, after all.

Tweet Comment 27 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Yes. I agree.

C4 and Grimes are the most solid members of our Secondary, IMO.

by TheSpectr on Oct 19, 2011 8:06 AM EDT reply actions

I would also offer the INT by Peters

They were moving the ball with ease until he threw that pick. We just scored a TD and Cam was looking to tie up the ball game but then this happened.

by Kwilbur3 on Oct 19, 2011 8:20 AM EDT reply actions

Idk.

That was a blown play by Grimes. Smith had him burnt when the bullet got tipped giving Brent enough time to make the play. It was lucky.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Oct 19, 2011 8:31 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Agree

if anyone should get the game ball for that one play, it’s WillyMo. However, Grimes did have a great overall game. He was one of the highest ranked DEF players of the week.

by KMarch on Oct 19, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Can't agree with this one

Corey Peters’ took the life out of the Panthers and shifted the momentum for good, not knocking Grimes but 9 out of 10 highschool defensive backs can complete a tip drill play.

by dirtybirdy84 on Oct 19, 2011 8:35 AM EDT reply actions

Not to mention Peters' pick took a lot more athleticism than Grimes' tip drill.

by dirtybirdy84 on Oct 19, 2011 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions

That's a fair point

Even if Peters’ play was ultimately more impressive, I think the circumstances of this play ended up being more important to the outcome. Certainly, though, that’s open to argument.

by Dave Choate on Oct 19, 2011 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Have to go with Peters

Like Ball Hawk said, it was a lucky play for Grimes and although I appreciate it, Peters’ play turned the game for us. And I appreciate that one too.

Ripping and tearing

by BrandonSr on Oct 19, 2011 8:42 AM EDT reply actions

Absolutely

While the Peters pick took the steam out of the Panthers at the end of the game, this pick kept Carolina from taking a first half lead. Given the fact that they would have gotten the ball back at the start of the 3rd quarter, they could have opened up a big lead. That would have forced us away from using Turner – which ended up being the best game plan against this team.

Without this pick, I think the Panthers would have opened up a big lead that we might not have recovered from.

by The DW on Oct 19, 2011 9:00 AM EDT reply actions

what frustrates and scares me most

is the knowledge that this team can’t overcome a big deficit on most Sundays, because it’s best chance to win games is in close fights and in running the ball. we won’t go far unless we actually become explosive like we wanted to.

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Oct 19, 2011 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions

It is frustrating

But I think the explosiveness will come. Even GB and NO are very judicious about the shots they take downfield. They do a good job of using their running game and short passes to setup play actions into down field shots. Atlanta has all the tools to do the same – and demonstrated some of that on Sunday – the thing we’re lacking at this point is consistent execution.

The more worrying trend is our horrific defense. The fact that a rookie QB was able to convert on over 75% of third downs is downright stupid. Our three wins this season have required our offense to put over 30 points on the board. We need them to help us win games when we only get 20 on the board.

by The DW on Oct 19, 2011 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

here's what Don Banks says

he actually reiterated my point in his Power Rankings:

Atlanta Falcons (3-3)
The Falcons still don’t seem to know who they are when it comes to their offensive identity. They want to be more explosive this season, but they seem to play their best and win when they stick to their old blueprint of a Michael Turner-led running game and 20-25 passes a game from Matt Ryan. They can’t win in the playoffs without being more explosive, but they can’t win much in the regular season without sticking to their tried and true offensive formula. It’s what you would call a real conundrum.

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Oct 19, 2011 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you nailed it.

Peters’ interception was the more impressive of the two, but I think the timing of Grimes’ interception is what made it more important. Both were excellent plays.

"It's called Thanksgiving for a reason. If I can give and people thank me for it, that's kind of the thing that makes me feel great inside." - Dunta

by TomQ on Oct 19, 2011 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Peters gets it for me

Sure, the Grimes pick was more important, but if it wasn’t tipped that probably would have been a TD for Smith (wasn’t Grimes beat). Besides, how often does a D Lineman get a pick, especially a 300+ one?

by Falcons1133 on Oct 19, 2011 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

a ONE HANDED pick!!!

He looked like a darker, rounder Tony Gonzalez.

by birdwatch on Oct 19, 2011 4:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Hard to pick 1 play.

MR’s toss to HD for 3rd conversion.
CP interception.
RE sack on 3rd down.
WM tip and interception by BG.
All were key to winning the game.

by SmokeyBell on Oct 19, 2011 12:14 PM EDT reply actions

Can any one guess Brent Grimes vertical jump?

by AlexanderTheFalcoholic on Oct 19, 2011 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

awesomeness

I really thought that we would see alot more of it this year with the edition of RE and a healthy set of tackles putting pressure on the qb. It was great to see and I hope its only the beginning. Hopefully this zone is gonna take thd next step in the right direction otherwise it may be time to consider new schemes and or coordinators with the upcoming bye

by Bigru3 on Oct 19, 2011 2:23 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

So-Called Falcon Fans

I have one question for you, are you ever satisfied with anything a player does? I would like to give all the guys credit for playing to win on Sunday. I am sure Brent thought the interception by Peters should have been a Top 10. Dirtybirdy84 think about what you say before you say it , are you comparing my son to high school players now? I must stop now before I get just a little angry.

by Debilah on Oct 19, 2011 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

Seriously?

This is getting old. The last time I was on here you were on the same thing, no one could say anything but “Grimes is Awesome”. Guess what, I wasn’t comparing him to a high school player, see that’s when you’re taught the tip drill because high school quarterbacks throw bad passes that tend to get tipped, it’s a play you wish for and it’s one of the easiest plays to make on defense just ask anybody. Also Grimes isn’t perfect, no one is, when he does great we praise him, when he doesn’t we don’t praise him, it’s as simple as that. If you’re really the kid’s mother, do him and yourself a favor and quit embarrassinig yourselves. You don’t see any other player’s mother or family member on here making dumb ass comments like you do. That is all, have a nice day maam.

by dirtybirdy84 on Oct 19, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I was fine with your comment up until "dumb ass" comments

Avoid that, please.

by Dave Choate on Oct 19, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I got a little upset.

I apologize.

by dirtybirdy84 on Oct 19, 2011 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Dont get upset. We all love Brent.

He is one of my favorite players on the team. We would be alot worse off without him. That being said, We come here to talk football. Some of it is serious, some of it is jokingly, and some of it is just utter bullshit. The actual debate started with: was his play the best of the game? In any debate, and in most casual conversations, there is always contradiction. If everybody agreed on everything, then what is the point. I, persoanlly am glad that you are a fan and loving mother that visits this site. Don’t take negative comments so personal, sometimes they are made just to stir up comments/opinions.
Tell Grimey that we are expecting another interception this weekend too. We need some extra spinach in his diet this week going to see C. Johnson.

by SmokeyBell on Oct 19, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I really don't think dirtybirdy84 meant to insult Brent there

He was just pointing out how impressive Peters’ pick was, I think.

by Dave Choate on Oct 19, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

are you really Brent Grimes's mother?

or are you trolling…

by vitzeng on Oct 19, 2011 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions

She really is

Don’t mess with Grimes’ girls

I know where the bodies are buried.....I buried some of them myself. - David Stern

by a hooter's baby on Oct 19, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions

since people are telling me you are actually mama grimes

you should just be happy your son is playing in the NFL, and as fans we have the right to critique players just as when we support them. plus steve smith did have your son beat, it was a just a case of right place right time with good hands

by vitzeng on Oct 20, 2011 3:10 AM EDT up reply actions