Miami Dolphins Cornerback Brent Grimes Continues To Shine
Heading into last season one of the main priorities for the Miami Dolphins was to solidify the cornerback position. In order to do so, the team took a chance on seventh year veteran Brent Grimes. Grimes, who was coming off a season in which he tore his achilles in the first game, was given a one-year, $5.5 million “prove it deal” and a starting spot in the secondary.
It didn’t take long for Grimes to get acclimated with Miami. In his first season with the Dolphins he recorded four interceptions, leading the team in passes defended with seventeen. His play was good enough to earn him a spot in the 2013 Pro Bowl, where he went onto intercepts Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith.
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To reward him for an impressive 2013 campaign, the Miami Dolphins reached an agreement with Grimes in the offseason, keeping him in Miami for another four seasons.
So far the move has paid dividends for the Dolphins. Brent Grimes is leading the Dolphins secondary in what has quietly become one of the leagues top units. Leading the group in interceptions, Grimes is a big reason as to why the Dolphins defense has been as successful as a whole; currently ranked 2nd in pass defense, number 3 overall.
Through eight games this season Grimes has already matched last seasons interception total, while continuing to improve his coverage ability on a weekly basis. It has been evident over the last few weeks, too. Grimes is playing some of the best football of his career. It started a few weeks ago when Grimes and fellow cornerback Cortland Finnegan shut down the Chicago Bears top two receivers. The duo held the Bears tandem comprised of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery to 8 catches for 57 yards.
The Pro Bowl cornerback followed up his impressive performance against Chicago by returning a third quarter interception thrown by Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Blake Bortles for a touchdown. This was his second interception returned for a touchdown in a Dolphins uniform. Last season he recorded a pick-six against Andy Dalton during a 22-20 overtime victory against the Cincinnati Bengals.
This week was no different. Grimes left his mark quickly during the second half of Miami’s game against the San Diego Chargers. The first two second half drives by San Diego were ended by interceptions from Grimes; returning the first one for 26 yards. His two interception week against the Chargers not only helped the Dolphins earn their first shutout victory since 2006, but also volted him to a tie for second place in the league with four interceptions.
Although they are on a winning streak now, it will not get any easier for the Dolphins. With matchups against Super Bowl winning quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Joe Flacco on the horizon, the Dolphins secondary must continue to play at a high level. Being the number one cornerback, it is imperative that Grimes continues to excel on a week-to-week basis. They will certainly be tested over the next few weeks; however, with the way things are going, Grimes and the rest of the secondary welcome the challenge ahead.