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Oakton linebacker awaiting
call from the NFL
Grimm gets his day with league scouts
at league's scouting combine
by Dave Buschenfeldt | Special to the Times
E-mail this article \ Print this article
http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/cms/story.php?id=1192
Virginia Tech Sports Information Dept.
Virginia Tech linebacker Cody Grimm, a 2005 Oakton graduate, hopes his name gets called early during next month's NFL Draft.
Oakton linebacker awaiting
call from the NFL
Linebacker Cody Grimm has heard every question in the book over the course of his career. The son of a soon-to-be Hall of Famer, former Commanders great Russ Grimm, he has gotten an up-close and personal look at football from a young age. When it comes to Xs and Os on the field, Grimm always feels like he has the right answer.
Despite a lifetime of preparation, Grimm was caught off guard by a question he was asked late last month at the 2010 National Football League Scouting Combine.
"They asked me if I would rather be a dog or a cat," Grimm said with a laugh.
This unusual inquiry was part of a battery of psychological testing Grimm and other NFL hopefuls had to undergo as part of the combine in Indianapolis. Teams will use the results of those tests, along with interviews, medical exams and physical drills, when they prepare for the NFL Draft in April.
"I'm not exactly sure what those questions tell you," admitted Grimm, who said he chose to be a dog. "I think it lets the teams know if you're a hard worker or not, stuff like that."
If there is one thing NFL coaches will never have to question, it is Grimm's work ethic. A former standout at Oakton High School and walk-on at Virginia Tech, he eventually earned a scholarship and, as a fifth-year senior, became the Hokies' best defensive player.
Grimm recorded a team-high 106 tackles, including four sacks and seven forced fumbles for Virginia Tech last season. Those numbers resulted in first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors, as well as his selection as a third team All-American and an invitation to the Combine.
"He is just an amazing football player," Oakton head coach Joe Thompson said. "He could do it all at any position on the field. He is one of the best athletes I've ever coached."
Surprisingly, it has often been Grimm's athletic ability that is called into question when discussing his chances of playing football professionally. At just 5-foot-11 and 203 pounds, he is a bit undersized for a linebacker, and some say he does not possess the quickness needed to be a safety at the next level.
Grimm is sure to have opened some eyes with his performance in Indianapolis, however. After undergoing examinations at a local hospital and sitting through numerous interviews and tests --including the infamous Wonderlic -- he shined during the drill portion of the Combine.
Grimm completed the 40-yard dash, the vertical and broad jumps, the 20- and 50-yard shuttles and the three-cone drill. He posted the fastest time of all linebackers in the three-cone drill and the fourth-fastest time in the 40 at 4.64 seconds.
"I knew I was capable," he said. "I was just worried because, what if it's your bad day? You always have that day when you don't catch the ball or you don't come out of your breaks well. I was hoping I would do what I was capable of."
Thompson hopes that after this showing, NFL scouts will look past Grimm's stature and see the impact he can have on the field.
"Anybody that's doubted Cody's ability in the past has gotten burned," he said. "He's proven them wrong. Anyone that takes him will find out that he's going to make plays and he'll be a reliable guy. Anyone who takes a chance on him, they're going to be happy."
Grimm has another chance to impress the NFL scouts March 18 at the Virginia Tech pro day workout. After that, he knows it will be out of his hands and he will just wait to hear if his name gets called during next month's NFL draft.
"I think when coaches watch the film, they'll see that I can play," Grimm said. "I'm going to be a hard worker and I don't like to lose. There are so many variables, like what position teams need to fill. I know I've done everything I can, so I'm just going to sit back and see what happens."
call from the NFL
Grimm gets his day with league scouts
at league's scouting combine
by Dave Buschenfeldt | Special to the Times
E-mail this article \ Print this article
http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/cms/story.php?id=1192
Virginia Tech Sports Information Dept.
Virginia Tech linebacker Cody Grimm, a 2005 Oakton graduate, hopes his name gets called early during next month's NFL Draft.
Oakton linebacker awaiting
call from the NFL
Linebacker Cody Grimm has heard every question in the book over the course of his career. The son of a soon-to-be Hall of Famer, former Commanders great Russ Grimm, he has gotten an up-close and personal look at football from a young age. When it comes to Xs and Os on the field, Grimm always feels like he has the right answer.
Despite a lifetime of preparation, Grimm was caught off guard by a question he was asked late last month at the 2010 National Football League Scouting Combine.
"They asked me if I would rather be a dog or a cat," Grimm said with a laugh.
This unusual inquiry was part of a battery of psychological testing Grimm and other NFL hopefuls had to undergo as part of the combine in Indianapolis. Teams will use the results of those tests, along with interviews, medical exams and physical drills, when they prepare for the NFL Draft in April.
"I'm not exactly sure what those questions tell you," admitted Grimm, who said he chose to be a dog. "I think it lets the teams know if you're a hard worker or not, stuff like that."
If there is one thing NFL coaches will never have to question, it is Grimm's work ethic. A former standout at Oakton High School and walk-on at Virginia Tech, he eventually earned a scholarship and, as a fifth-year senior, became the Hokies' best defensive player.
Grimm recorded a team-high 106 tackles, including four sacks and seven forced fumbles for Virginia Tech last season. Those numbers resulted in first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors, as well as his selection as a third team All-American and an invitation to the Combine.
"He is just an amazing football player," Oakton head coach Joe Thompson said. "He could do it all at any position on the field. He is one of the best athletes I've ever coached."
Surprisingly, it has often been Grimm's athletic ability that is called into question when discussing his chances of playing football professionally. At just 5-foot-11 and 203 pounds, he is a bit undersized for a linebacker, and some say he does not possess the quickness needed to be a safety at the next level.
Grimm is sure to have opened some eyes with his performance in Indianapolis, however. After undergoing examinations at a local hospital and sitting through numerous interviews and tests --including the infamous Wonderlic -- he shined during the drill portion of the Combine.
Grimm completed the 40-yard dash, the vertical and broad jumps, the 20- and 50-yard shuttles and the three-cone drill. He posted the fastest time of all linebackers in the three-cone drill and the fourth-fastest time in the 40 at 4.64 seconds.
"I knew I was capable," he said. "I was just worried because, what if it's your bad day? You always have that day when you don't catch the ball or you don't come out of your breaks well. I was hoping I would do what I was capable of."
Thompson hopes that after this showing, NFL scouts will look past Grimm's stature and see the impact he can have on the field.
"Anybody that's doubted Cody's ability in the past has gotten burned," he said. "He's proven them wrong. Anyone that takes him will find out that he's going to make plays and he'll be a reliable guy. Anyone who takes a chance on him, they're going to be happy."
Grimm has another chance to impress the NFL scouts March 18 at the Virginia Tech pro day workout. After that, he knows it will be out of his hands and he will just wait to hear if his name gets called during next month's NFL draft.
"I think when coaches watch the film, they'll see that I can play," Grimm said. "I'm going to be a hard worker and I don't like to lose. There are so many variables, like what position teams need to fill. I know I've done everything I can, so I'm just going to sit back and see what happens."
