Kansas City Chiefs Sign Reserve Nose Tackle Cory Grissom
By Ben Nielsen
Aug 9, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Cory Grissom (67) attempts to tackle Philadelphia Eagles running back Matthew Tucker (39) during the second half of a preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Patriots won 31-22. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
According to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post and Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star, the Kansas City Chiefs have signed reserve defensive lineman Cory Grissom to a one-year deal.
"The Chiefs have signed defensive tackle Cory Grissom to a one-year deal, two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Star on Wednesday. The news was first reported by the National Football Post."
Grissom, 23, went undrafted out of South Florida last April and signed with the New England Patriots. He injured his ankle in the preseason and spent the year on injured reserve.
At 6-1, 316 pounds, Grissom is considered to be a true nose tackle. He rejected scholarship offers to Arkansas and North Carolina so he could start as a freshman at South Florida. However, injuries limited his profile in college, resulting in him going undrafted.
Here’s what NFL.com’s analysis of him was coming out of college.
"True nose tackle with girth in his midsection and through his lower half that he uses to hold up single blocks and double teams off the snap. Strong legs. Has a powerful punch when attacking his man off the snap, and also possesses the strong upper body and heavy hands to move opponents to either side to get to the ballcarrier while keeping himself square to the line. Occasionally swims past a drive-blocker or pulls a leaning guard forward to slingshot around him into the backfield, showing a bit more quickness than most linemen of his size and build in order to pressure quarterbacks into unloading the ball. Moves well laterally, and stays square to the line of scrimmage."
Kansas City does not have much behind starter Dontari Poe at nose so adding some depth makes sense. Poe played 1063 snaps in 2013, or 93.&% of all defensive snaps for the Chiefs. Only Kendrick Lewis, Eric Berry, Derrick Johnson, and Sean Smith played in more snaps than Poe.