Brent Grimes: The Biggest (And Smallest) Key to the Falcons Championship Run

According to the Falcons media guide, cornerback Brent Grimes is 5'10" and weighs 181 pounds. He attended Shippensburg University, a small college in Pennsylvania.  

In 2007, he made the Falcons squad as a walk-on and played in two games that year. He has since become the starting corner on a rapidly improving defense, and much of the Falcons success can be attributed to this diminutive fellow.  

His gritty play sums up much of what this team has become and, if a run to the Superbowl is in the cards, the Falcons will need to rely on the superior play of one Brent Grimes.

The Falcons improved their cornerbacks with the signing of Dunta Robinson in the off season. Robinson came to the Falcons as an elite corner and many opposing teams have taken that cue to look towards the other side of the field and throw in Grimes direction.  

Receivers typically tower over Grimes, and he has struggled at times to stop the taller wide outs from making big plays. But this year, Grimes has four interceptions (four more than Robinson) and none was bigger than a diving interception he made to seal the win against divisional opponent Tampa Bay.  

He also contributes by making big tackles at key moments, and has learned to snuff out reverses and quick passes.

The old axiom still holds that defense win championships. The Falcons have a young but aggressive defense and they are still learning how to play the game. In this growing process, head coach Mike Smith and the coaching staff have allowed Brent Grimes to come into his own as a cornerback in the NFL.  

With his circus-like interceptions, key tackles and his incredible, never quit attitude, Grimes is becoming a household name in the city of Atlanta and is now on the mind of many quarterbacks in the league.  

His physical growth is done, but as a player he will continue to grow and improve his football skills.

And the Falcons just may have to stand on Brent Grimes' small frame to get to the Superbowl.