Once a weak spot for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the secondary is stepping up big for the defense.
Pass breakups and takeaways are becoming the norm, not the exception as in seasons past. Each week presents another passing game challenge and the Bucs secondary is facing them head on.
The Bucs secondary needed a spark. Brent Grimes has lit one in a big way.
Grimes' nose for the ball has quarterbacks hanging their heads in shame. And his experience is rubbing off on an impressionable rookie.
"That's 10 years in the National Football League," cornerback Vernon Hargreaves said. "There's a whole bunch of stuff I can name and go on and on, but it's the little things.
"More formation stuff, more split stuff with the receiver, so a lot of technical stuff."
That technical stuff comes in handy against skilled receivers and the Oakland Raiders have a skilled pair in Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree.
"They're going to be a handful," Defensive Coordinator Mike Smith said. "They're doing a very good job.
"It's going to be a challenge."
A challenge the Bucs secondary seems better prepared for than in previous seasons. Especially with Grimes and Hargreaves, a duo getting into a good groove.
"Both of those guys are starting to play with swagger," Smith said. "I think Brent always had it. He's a little more soft spoken and I know Brent knows what he's capable of doing and I think Vernon is finding his way."