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BillsWin's candidate spotlight: Russ Grimm
Over the next week or two more candidates for the Buffalo Bills head coaching job will be interviewed. A lot of people recognize the names, but know little about the candidates themselves. So I thought I would go through, one at a time, and highlight their careers, experience, and give my own opinion on whether or not they fit the mold of a potential Buffalo Bills head coach.
First on my list was Brian Schottenheimer. You may read that thread here: http://billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php?t=186008
Tonight's candidate put under the BillsWin microscope will be Russ Grimm.
Russ Grimm is 50 years of age (Born in 1959). He has professional playing experience, unlike Schottenheimer. Grimm was drafted in the third round of the 1981 draft (69th overall) by the Washington Redskins.
Prior to being drafted, Grimm was an All-American Center at Pittsburgh University. He played guard with the Redskins.
Grimm shows an odd trait not often seen in NFL players now-a-days. He stayed loyal to the team that drafted him. Russ played eleven seasons with Washington, ending his career in 1991. He played in 140 games, starting 114 of them.
Grimm was a four time pro bowler with Washington (1983, 1984, 1985, and 1986). Other awards given to Grimm were three AP First Team All Pro selections, Selection to the 1980's NFL All-Decade team and nominated as one of the 70 greatest Redskins.
Russ was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2006, and 2008.
Ever loyal, Grimm made his coaching debut with Washington in 1992 and coached there until 2000. Grimm was the tightends coach from 1992-1996 and offensive line coach from 1997-2000.
Grimm then joined the Pittsburgh Steelers staff to coach their offensive line (and promoted to assistant head coach) from 2000-2006. In 2007, Grimm joined the Arizona Cardinals and arguably oversaw a complete change in offensive line play under his tutilage. The Cardinals have now made the playoffs two seasons in a row. Grimm remains the offensive line/ assistant head coach there today.
Grimm was a finalist for the Steelers head coaching job when Bill Cowher retired, however amid conflicting reports, Mike Tomlin was awarded the job. (After it was initially reported by the media that Grimm and the Steelers had reached a deal.) Grimm left that season.
Over his playing and coaching career, Grimm has received FOUR Super Bowl rings.
Grimm is a member of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
THE BOTTOM LINE/ BREAKDOWN AND OPINION:
Grimm is a little older than some of the other candidates on the Bills' list. He has an impressive resume of winning. Wherever Grimm goes, winning follows. It is hard to argue with four Super Bowl rings. Four as a player and one as an assistant head coach. Grimm has learned under Bill Cowher and Joe Gibbs (First Washington go-around). He has been instrumental in reconstructing offensive lines in Washington, Pittsburgh and Arizona. He has also improved the rush offense and pass protection on each team he has coached. His track record is impressive, and he has made enough contacts in the league to most likely build a solid staff.
Grimm has a fire, attitude and drive to win desired in a football coach. He understands the importance of a good offensive line. He has been around offenses that focus around the run, and he has been around offenses that focus on the pass. He has a good football background and nice track record. There is a reason teams like Pittsburgh and Arizona made him their assistant head coach.
The downside to Grimm. Does he really want to coach here? There is a good possibility he is just focused on coaching the Cardinals to a win this weekend. But, there is also a possibility he isn't really interested in coaching the Buffalo Bills.
Lack of experience is also a problem. He has enough COACHING experience to warrant consideration, but has absolutely zero head coaching experience.
However, although the Steelers won a title under Tomlin. There are some Pittsburgh fans that feel he has begun losing that roster, and that Grimm would have done the same, maybe better in Steel-town over the past few seasons (including that Super Bowl run.)
There is support among the coaches in the league for Grimm and he has been a hot candidate for the past few years.
If the Bills were to hire Grimm, it would probably be a good hire. Grimm could bring some intensity and offensive focus to Buffalo. He learned under some of the best, and knows his way around cold weather.
He can command respect from a young roster, as well as some respected assistant coaches that he could bring in.
In my opinion, Grimm could bring better assistants than a Brian Schottenheimer (without Marty). He could possibly do better on the free agent front too, as he has been in the league longer and has more respect from fellow coaches, former players, recruiters and agents.
What would I think of Grimm to Buffalo? A start in the right direction, low bust factor, low probability of immediate success. Grimm is a guy that will most likely need at least a full season, maybe two to completely change and restock the roster with his type of player. But trust me, that is the type of player you will want on the Bills' roster.
Next time: Leslie Frazier...
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