Brent Grimes turning his nose up at $2.61 million?
Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes (20) of the NFC, right, celebrates with Arizona Cardinals strong safety Adrian Wilson (24) of the NFC after Grimes made an interception during the second quarter. AP
FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons still have to secure restricted free agent Brent Grimes, who has a first-round tender. Another team has until Aug. 20 to make an offer to Grimes.
New Orleans guard Carl Nicks told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that having a first-round tender pretty much made him “radioactive.” He was in the same boat as Grimes and elected to snap up the $2.61 million and worry about the contract extension later.
Grimes has switched agents, dumping the agent he had when former Falcons scout Bruce Plummer found him at Shippensburg and fought for him as an undrafted rookie free agent. After going to the Pro Bowl (after Charles Woodson and Green Bay advanced to the Super Bowl), he hired super-agents Ben Dogra and Tom Condon of CAA.
Grimes must be convinced that someone is going to make a long-term offer that’s better or he’d signed the tender and report to camp.
If Grimes gets an offer, the Falcons can elect to match or receive a first-round pick. The Falcons traded their first-round pick for next year in the Julio Jones deal. (I’m just guess that they’d take the first rounder.)
Under general manager Thomas Dimitroff the Falcons have established a clear track record of “taking care” of their own players. If Grimes accepts the tender, he’d likely be in the front of the line for a contract extension.
This raises a bunch of questions.
1. If Grimes gets an offer do you let him go and take the first rounder or do you match it?
2. Who’s the left corner if he leaves?
3. Do they have enough to make a play for Asante Samuel if Grimes gets an offer?
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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259 comments Add your comment
Curt
August 2nd, 2011
10:12 am
Can’t overpay him………he’s a Gret athlete, great verticle, but he’s too small. He barely makes plays, and they do look spectacular when he makes them because of his small stature. But when Aaron Rodgers throws the lasers at the taller receivers…….well you saw what happened……..Grimes gets beat, barey, just by a finger nail.. I would hate to see him go, but you have to let him go if he doesn’t take the money.
Beef
August 2nd, 2011
10:13 am
@Larry – No, no FA’s, restricted or unrestricted, can practice until the 4th (or until CBA ratified, which it’s not yet).
@Fan – You have no clue what you’re talking about. Grimes isn’t sitting at home crying for more money, he can’t freaking practice until the 4th so there’s ZERO reason for him to sign the tender until then.
Grimes is a great guy and a great asset to this team. Any of you who hate on him are ignorant fools who obviously don’t know squat about this team.
robert
August 2nd, 2011
10:16 am
Enter your comments here
D Ritch
August 2nd, 2011
10:17 am
Depends on how much he is offered. If it is not too far over the $2.61 million then I think you match the offer. It also depends on the team. If it is a team that you think will finish in the bottom of the league then you definitely take the pick. Grimes is good, but not irreplaceable.
Colorado Bird
August 2nd, 2011
10:18 am
Keep Grimes if you can otherwise try to work out a deal with another CB such as Samuels or Gay. I really like Grimes and appreciate what he has accomplished. I do agree that that as an Atlanta fan, I would like to see Atlanta continue to take care of their free agents, but only within reason (I don’t know what that is, other than possibly the pay rate for his abilities around the league).
Regardless of what happens, it will be in the best interest of the player and organization. Mr. Blank has already proven beyond any measurement that he takes care of his players, the staff and the fans. He is a “class act” as an owner and I support him and his staff 100%.
I do hope Grimes comes back and I want to wish him well in his contract negotiations. We need him in Atlanta and he has reflected his desire to succeed and is a major contributor to the success of the Falcons. But I also know that there are players who have the ability too make a major impact that may still be available in free agency or possible a player swap?
Hopefully one of our veterans or one of the new players will shine in practice. Best of luck to Grimes and the Atlanta organization.
Beef
August 2nd, 2011
10:20 am
@D.Led – You need to update this article with the truth. Are you trying to make the Falcons PR folks angry at you? Are you trying to make Grimes resent this fan-base?
Do you not realize that the ignorant fans out there who don’t really know this team or the details surrounding Grimes are going to think he’s ungrateful and egotistical after reading this type of slant? Why the heck would you do that?
I hope the PR folks for the Falcons treat you like a red-headed stepchild for this and never let you near a real interview. Have fun asking rookies what their favorite ice cream is, chump.
falcon66
August 2nd, 2011
10:23 am
No way a team is going to give up a first rounder plus the money for Grimes !! He will be a Falcon, bet on it…..
cornell #1 falcon fan
August 2nd, 2011
10:29 am
The problem with this is that Brent Grimes has the upper hand on this. The falcons have nobody else on the roster that could even think about playing opposite side of Daunte. Grimes nows this. The sad thing is that I dont think he as done enough to act like he is a top flight corner but again he holds the upper hand because the falcons do not have anybody on the roster right now that can fill in at his position. The falcons are not going to get a 1st round pick for grimes. They will negotiate on a lower pick with a team who wants to sign him if there is anybody out there who does. Brent grimes is not even a top ten corner and he is acting like one. I think he owes the falcons more then the falcons owe him. They gave him an opportunity to play in the NFL when there was a good possiblity that he would have never made it.
GA Fan
August 2nd, 2011
10:29 am
What about Franks and Owens? Both of those player’s are under contract. Let’s free of more salary cap room if they are not ready to step up.
welikebaseball2
August 2nd, 2011
10:29 am
@Curt: Okay, so I thought we were all done with the stock “he’s too small” assertion. That is so cliche. By the way, he led the team in INT’s & led the league in PD’s…but “he barely makes plays” & gets “beat”? What? There’s no one who followed the team that could, logically, deny the fact that he was one the premier playmakers (if not THE premier playmaker) on the defensive side of the ball for us.
Big Earl
August 2nd, 2011
10:32 am
@Beef…ditto brother!
D’Led…Talk about makin a mountain out of a molehill, c’mon man!!! Also, has anyone been reading D’Led’s question/answer articles on the “new Falcons”? The lamest stuff I’ve ever read, even for the AJC…90% of bloggers could write more interesting stuff than that crap.
FalconsinPA
August 2nd, 2011
10:36 am
Everyone needs to stop with the Asante talk- don’t need that guy in ATL until the 2nd week and watch D White and J Jones blow by him- guy will not tackle- don’t need that attitude or cancer on the team.
chc4
August 2nd, 2011
10:37 am
cornell #1 falcon fan — um what? Grimes has no leverage unless you actually think he would sit out the entire season and forgo his $2.6 million salary. Obviously no chance of that happening. Grimes is the one with no bullets in the gun.
Geez
August 2nd, 2011
10:37 am
“Brent Grimes turning his nose up at $2.61 million?” Quite the contrary when you hear and read other sites.
I thought you were better than National Enquirer type antics.
Highly Unlikely
August 2nd, 2011
10:42 am
Let Grimes go, get a first rounder – trade it for Osi, and then trade for A. Samuel
jarvis
August 2nd, 2011
10:44 am
That’s one hell of a whatif. No one is going to give up their 1st Round pick next year for Grimes. I love the guy but come on.
kenny
August 2nd, 2011
10:45 am
All you people who dont believe Grimes deserves a big contract are idiots. He is Atlantas best corner.He is much better than Asanti Samuels.GRIMES is the s**T!
Take it from me
August 2nd, 2011
10:46 am
As long as the falcons have a player with the size of grimes starting at corner in the NFL,you can’t take them seriously as a Superbowl contender.
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
10:49 am
Asanti Samuel
Falcons4Eva
August 2nd, 2011
10:51 am
I totally agree with “Cool hand luke” D Orlando has and agenda here. Its obvious.
Beef
August 2nd, 2011
10:53 am
http://twitter.com/#!/bgrimes20
And there’s Grimes snapping back on Twitter saying that D.Led knows Grimes can’t practice until the 4th and this article is purposely trying to make him look bad.
Like I said D.Led, bush-league BS. You’re a half-wit lousy journalist.
opie
August 2nd, 2011
10:53 am
Brent is to small to invest big money.
Gwinnett Fred
August 2nd, 2011
10:55 am
Is this the same Grimes that EVERYBODY was bashing all to hell and back as recently as early last year?????
Wow.
August 2nd, 2011
10:56 am
DOL,
I liked your Falcons coverage before today. I believe you’re trying to paint Grimes in a bad light, without knowing all of the facts about the negotiation.
And telling him he is “absent” in a public forum? That’s just unprofessional. Guess what? You’re not his boss.
Speaking of Grimes’ boss, TD has been doing a fantastic job this off season. Quit messing things up, DOL.
ATL Fan
August 2nd, 2011
10:56 am
What would happen if the Falcons $1.51 million since Grimes turned down $2.61? Does Grimes sit out? I believe that the Falcons offer is fair considering how unlikely it is for any other team to offer more money and a 1st round draft choice.
I can understand waiting to sign until August 4th, but what if the Falcons sign others and no longer have $2.61 million in cap room?
Do they say sorry Brent but we needed some of that offer money to sign another player?
If he is following the advise of Super-Agents, hopefully they are not like the Wasserman Media Group agents for Rafael Furcal. (Not only was that proverbial brige burnt, it was incernerated).
chickenman
August 2nd, 2011
10:59 am
if he wont come to camp, then take the pick and deal for asante… Although mr blank told some fans at camp yesterday he should be out here next week… seeing this article makes me think his new agents aare pulling the strings
chickenman
August 2nd, 2011
11:03 am
but again he will come because you DLED are way out of bounds for making this article attempting to cause mass panic… where is your loyalty
Falcons4Eva
August 2nd, 2011
11:03 am
I have lost a TON of respect for you D. Orlando Ledbetter…You’re a disgrace to your profession.
Your attempt to paint Brent Grimes in this manner is disgusting. Why would you do that? One thing I know about Brent Grimes is he is NOT the person your article attempts to paint him as.
To Brent Grimes:
My best regards to you and take I fully support whatever decision you make.
Go Falcons. Go Braves. Geaux to He!! Saints and D Orlando Ledbetter!
Crabkilla
August 2nd, 2011
11:05 am
Since we don’t have one right now, I would love for a team to give us a 1st rounder for him. If I was Drew Brees I would be pushing the Saints to go after him since half of his INT’s go to Grimes. In that case, it would be awesome to get Asante. I hope he doesn’t come with baggage if that is the case. I don’t think Franks is quite ready, so Asante would be my first pick. Otherwise Grimes needs to get back in camp.
Big Earl
August 2nd, 2011
11:06 am
@UGA 1999…what happended to the 1:30 press conference on Sat. where the Falcons were suppose to make a big splash that would make them the team to talk about? Can you tell us now who you thought they were going to sign?
bigcrimson75
August 2nd, 2011
11:08 am
I’d take a 1st rounder for him even if we had to go with Owens or Franks as a replacement.
5150 UOAD
August 2nd, 2011
11:09 am
Dude is good but too short. He will not have a bunch of teams beating down his door to give him a lot of money. I think a 1st round pick would be great for the Falcons.
LTC Hop
August 2nd, 2011
11:11 am
I truly hope someone else gives him an offer so we can let him walk. Carlos Rogers is a free agent and would be a definite upgrade. Grimes is a nickel back at best. He is the #1 targeted CB in the league by quarterbacks for a reason. Making one good play and giving up five big plays does not equal to being an effective starting CB. Your defense is only as good as it’s weakest link and Grimes is definitely seen by NFL defenses as our weakest link.
welikebaseball2
August 2nd, 2011
11:12 am
I think it’s laughable that some of you guys who are stuck on this “he’s too small” argument continue to ignore his stats from last season. So 5′ 10″ means more to you than 28 (PD’s) & 5 (INT’s)? The “he’s too small” argument is so old…and cliche. I sure wish some of you would think for yourselves.
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
11:14 am
TEST…..STILL GETTING BLOCKED!!!!
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
11:15 am
ASOMUGHA
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
11:15 am
welikebaseball…..the truth is that he is TOO small….Green Bay ABUSED HIM!
PMC
August 2nd, 2011
11:16 am
He’s got until the 20th to sign. He’s coming off a terrific year, I don’t blame him for not showing up for a while, but he can’t practice until the 4th anyway.
Big Earl
August 2nd, 2011
11:17 am
@UGA 1999…that’s what I thought. Wish you would have been right. Can you provide insight regarding what happended?
Falcons4Eva
August 2nd, 2011
11:18 am
DOL – you’re a joke man. Your blog on Grimes was Wacked bro.. A disservice to “journalism”.
Here is a Re-Post by Beef:
Way to make Grimes look bad D.Led. Way to be a jerk. Grimes already done a radio interview where he said he will be at TC on the 4th. That he will sign his tender if nobody has made an offer and simply re-negotiate his contract later in the season after game 10 when it does not go on this year’s cap and the cap-hit goes to 2012. And if somebody does make an offer, he thinks the Falcons will simply match it, but if not, he’s fine with the tender amount. You really put a negative slant on this and it was uncalled for. I hope karma bites you in the a** this week. You deserve it. Grimes can’t even practice in training camp until Thurs. the 4th. There’s no reason for him to sign the tender early and stand around twiddling his thumbs. You should have mentioned the radio interview and these other details so you didn’t make him look like he’s being ungrateful. This was total bush-league on your part”
I agree!
Bernard
August 2nd, 2011
11:18 am
He’s too short!!!!! LET HIM BEGONE!!!! Get anyone taller & faster….Asante?
PMC
August 2nd, 2011
11:18 am
Regardless of other salaries and measurements, Brent Grimes is simply the best CB on this team.
5150 UOAD
August 2nd, 2011
11:20 am
He is the Spud Webb of the NFL.
TLaw
August 2nd, 2011
11:20 am
DLed probably should’ve have went in on Grimes like he did, but he was partly right on some things. You FANS who just jumped on the bandwagon dont know who Brent Grimes really is as a player. He is getting better but please people, he only made the Pro Bowl due to unforseen circumstances.He is not a Shut-down corner, I REPEAT he is not a shut-down corner as you homers think he is.He is a legit No.2 corner that needs help over the top due to his height. That $2.61 million contract is a great offer, he deserves no more than $3 million this season. He has only had one consistent season and that being the last. Yes it was F-ed up for him to dump the agent when fought for him to make the Falcons roster and jump with a super agent, one who probably would not have signed him out of College if Grimes gave him %30 commission. D LED went in a little much but he was right on some things.
oh yeah UGA 1999..whats up mane? What happened?
Beef
August 2nd, 2011
11:21 am
Here’s the exchange on Twitter:
“BGrimes20: @AJCFalcons (which is D.Led), stop trying to paint me in a negative light… I can’t practice until the 4th, you don’t know what I have going on right now.
AJCFalcons: @BGrimes20, Reached out to your folks. Have them call. Everyone else has signed their tenders are here. You are absent.
BGrimes20: @AJCFalcons, like I said you don’t know what I have going on. Just don’t try & make me out as not appreciating what the Falcons have offered me.
AJCFalcons: @BGrimes20, Understood. Have Ben call.”
So basically, Grimes agent snubbed D.Led who wanted to ask him some questions or do an interview, so D.Led decided to smear Grimes and make him look bad in revenge.
D.Led, you should be fired. Using your power to slander someone because they hurt your feelings isn’t ethical journalism.
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
11:22 am
STILL GETTING BLOCKED>…..this blog is terrible!
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
11:22 am
Is anyone else having the issue of their posts getting blocked?
Falcons4Eva
August 2nd, 2011
11:24 am
I wonder if you purposefully set out to energize and rally Grimes fans base by posting such an inflammatory blog, written in such a negative light against Grimes…Nahhh. You’re not that bright enough to think of that.
Grimes, though he may be small in stature, he is VERY BIG in Heart and Hustle! Give me 11 Brent Grimes over 5 Peria Jerry and 6 Jammal Andersons any day of the week.
welikebaseball2
August 2nd, 2011
11:25 am
UGA 1999: The “truth” is that he is 5′ 10″. The words “too small” are purely subjective. The “truth” is that he led the league in PD’s. The “truth” is that he led the team in INT’s. The “truth” is that he made the Pro Bowl. The “truth” is that he had an INT & a few PD’s in that Pro Bowl. And FYI, Green Bay “abused” the whole squad…but how can you, in all football objectivity, not choose Owens when naming the “abused” CB?
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
11:25 am
Peria Jerry is my next door neighbor….very nice guy.