Buccaneers add pair of former NFL players to coaching staff

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added a pair of coaches with vast NFL experience to their already impressive coaching staff.

According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers added a pair of former NFL players to Bruce Arians’ staff.

Former Buccaneers safety Cody Grimm will join the team as the defensive backs and special teams assistant. He spent all three of his NFL seasons in Tampa Bay. The Bucs selected him in the final round of the 2010 NFL Draft, and he made a significant impact in his rookie season.

Grimm started in nine games his first season, intercepting two passes, racking up 52 tackles as well as a forced fumble. He would play in 23  total games in his stint with Tampa Bay.

Grimm was a member of the Virginia Tech Hokies staff, working his way up from a graduate assistant position.

The other hire was former Redskins and Steelers wideout Antwaan Randle El. He was a nine-year NFL veteran and Super Bowl Champion. He will be an offensive assistant. Randle El was working as an athletic director for a high school before accepting the Bucs job.

In his successful career, Randle El hauled in 370 receptions for 4,467 yards. However, Randle El was more than just a wideout. He was a dual-threat quarterback in college, and he showcased those skills on the biggest stage in Super Bowl  XL. He tossed a pass to Hines Ward in a play that defined that game.

He was a well-known gadget player in Pittsburgh. Taking handoffs and trying to throw the ball down the field on trick plays.

Having more former players added to an already impressive coaching staff seems like it could help Tampa Bay. Having voices that have walked in the same shoes as the players could help the team buy into Arians’ philosophy.

With the history that most Arians assistants have, both should have a long coaching career ahead of them.