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
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
11:26 am
Welike….I can use Owens name as well. But Grimes didnt do much better either. Grimes does not want to stay in Atlanta. If we can get Asante we will go for it.
TLaw
August 2nd, 2011
11:27 am
@Beef..Right or Wrong DLEd’s article was fact. If you are gonna get mad at Sportswriters who write something bad, but true about your favorite players than get ready to bulldoze ESPN and all their writers. DLED went a little too hard on Grimes but still..fire him??..C’mon Mon..Who the heck are you..Donald Trump? lol
Big Earl
August 2nd, 2011
11:28 am
@UGA 1999…why doesn’t Grimes want to stay in ATL?
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
11:29 am
He doesnt feel repected and feels like the #2 corner behind Daunte.
ATL Fan
August 2nd, 2011
11:31 am
UGA 1999 I was having a problem with getting blocked. My post had a link. (It was a link to the Oregon State Ethnic Studies major regarding Jacquizz Rogers)
Take it from me
August 2nd, 2011
11:31 am
The Falcons are tired of toast,they want biscutts from now own!
Big Earl
August 2nd, 2011
11:32 am
My opinion of him will change if that’s true. He will be a cancer. I hate the whiners. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
GO DAWGS!
Falcons4Eva
August 2nd, 2011
11:32 am
Great Post Beef –
I’m sure D. Orlando “The Jerk” Ledbetter not too thrilled that you posted the Twitter exchange. Been reading D. Orlando Ledbetter post and blogs for the better part of 3 years now. The guy is a wussie. He is VERY, VERY sensitive. No other journalist I follow is as sensitive to fans comments made againts his blogs and articles as D. Orlando Ledbetter.
He will block them outright. And he responds to them in a way that makes you aware he is very THIN SKINNED So I’m sure I will be next on his BLOCKED List!
This was a classic case of abusive power by a Journalist to get a player or his agent to talk to him.
DOL needs a pacifier.
Mike
August 2nd, 2011
11:33 am
Grimes has improved but I don’t think he is the long term answer. We’ve put up with a lot of “can’t find the answer” on defense. Let him go and get someone to stop the pass!!
BT
August 2nd, 2011
11:33 am
Everyone relax,
Grimes will be inked by the team but it might not be for 2.6 Mil.
The guy is just using what little leverage he has at this point and who can blame him?
Big Earl
August 2nd, 2011
11:33 am
And he is the #2 corner behind Daunte. One year does not make a career.
ROD
August 2nd, 2011
11:35 am
PLEASE, PLEASE, DO NOT SIGN HIM. First they and opportunity to get Asomugha, and they let him go to the Eagles. Now you are trying to sign a player who Green Bay threw on over and over. Yes he had an okay year, but not a year where he deserves a huge contract. Let him go, and bring in a Veteran corner like I said before, and another Veteran receiver. I said last year they should have signed Peppers, they let him go to Chicago. I also stated they would finish 13-3, Mark Bradley last year, and lose in the playoffs. It doesn’t take a rocket science to figure football out. You don’t have pressure on the QB, and your corners who can’t cover will be exposed. So if they bring him back shame on the FALCONS. Remember Dunta Robinson wasn’t that great. LET HIM GO!!!!
I MUS WRITE
August 2nd, 2011
11:37 am
Bowtie stop stirring the pot, The guy is doing his due dillegence, he cant practice until Aug 4 what exactly should he be doing??? He will be here and we will take care of him soon. NO to Asante Samuel- talented but he has a D Hall type attitude and he is 30—-No thanx
Its funny how grimes was our best CB last year and folks are turning on him. Well Robinson made 9 mill and had 1 int …….Nuff said
Ask Drew Brees if grimes is worth the money-Kiss the sky int—classic the boi can play ball, Dunta the 9 million dollar man is still a question mark…..
Bowtie c’mon man you need to ask more intresting question. and y interview the kicker -WE DONT CARE ABOUT HIM……. get something on mathews,jackson,dent etc………
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
11:40 am
If Grimes goes they will bring in Asante….and vice versa.
Falcons4Eva
August 2nd, 2011
11:42 am
No. I’m not a Brent Grimes super fan. I think he is a Very Good but not exceptionally great CB (due to size only). But I don’t believe in killing a person in the press unjustly. The facts of DOL article may be correct on point, but the way in which it was written by DOL and coming on the heels of DOL not being granted an opportunity to speak with Brent’s new agent smacks of childness and bhitcaszzness as we say.
Simply put, what was the point of qualifying how and why Brent’s was selected to the Pro Bowl. It goes to the heart of D. Orlando Ledbetter intent of writting this article. He simply wanted to bring negative commentary from the fan base and draw a reaction from Brent and his agent. Pure and simple. There in NO escaping that fact.
Dan
August 2nd, 2011
11:42 am
Let him walk…Take the first round pick next year, give it to NYG, get Osi as a STUD DE, let John Abraham go, and use that cap money to get Asante Samuel
Beef
August 2nd, 2011
11:42 am
@TLaw – No, it is not “fact”. Ommitting very relevant details of what’s really going on is the same thing as lieing.
The “facts” are that Grimes did a live interview yesterday and told 790 The Zone crew that he is not holding out and that he will sign his tender and be in camp on the 4th, which is the first day free agents around the country can actually practice.
Grimes never has said to anyone that $2.61M isn’t enough. He has never said he’s unhappy or ungrateful or holding out for more money. His original agent was a nobody in the realm of agents. He doesn’t have half the connections that real agents have. They were friends and they parted ways because Grimes needs real representation now. Not some amateur.
This article was nothing more than D.Led upset that nobody from Grimes’ camp was returning his calls or answering his questions. So like a jaded girl he used this forum to lash out at Grimes and purposely make him look bad. Those are the facts.
PMC
August 2nd, 2011
11:42 am
He’s an RFA people. This offer sheet is for this next year only.
ken
August 2nd, 2011
11:42 am
@ ROD so true, the fact that julius was almost the DPOY makes me sick. and he was hitting Rodgers all game when he played GB. Peppers and Abraham would had us in the super bowl. I had a debate with someone on here about signing Peppers. I wonder what they think now. Grimes better sign that contract or they better get asante.
Big Earl
August 2nd, 2011
11:44 am
@UGA 1999…can they afford Asante? Eagle website says his 2011 Base Salary is 5.9 mil + 2.45 mil for something called a LTBE bonus (not sure what LTBE is an acronym for)
welikebaseball2
August 2nd, 2011
11:46 am
UGA 1999: Come on now, the whole secondary was awful. I’m just saying, don’t use Grimes’ height as an excuse to single him out. What’s the other guys’ reasons (weight, etc.) for getting “abused” & should we let them go using those physical characteristics as an excuse? So what happens if we let Grimes go & can’t make a deal for Samuels happen? I’m guessing you think the Pro Bowler Grimes is expendable & easily replaced.
ArkT
August 2nd, 2011
11:47 am
Let him walk… he was probably more a product of the system than anything. If he wants to go.. let him go and take the first rounder.
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
11:48 am
welike….no i am not saying that….the only way we would not send another offer to Grimes is if we sign Asante. That is why they are trying to lowball him.
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
11:49 am
Earl….LTBE….Likely to be earned.
invictus mon
August 2nd, 2011
11:49 am
Glad you guys from the AJC took down all those nasty tweets to Grimes. What’re you trying to do chase him outa here? I know you’re trying to get a story, but dadgum! Ruthless.
Big Earl
August 2nd, 2011
11:49 am
FYI – Asante current salary info: http://www.eaglescap.com/Players/AsanteSamuel.html
Big Earl
August 2nd, 2011
11:51 am
@UGA 1999…really? wouldn’t have guessed that one. Thanks
invictus mon
August 2nd, 2011
11:52 am
Ah…they weren’t taken down…they were just far down on my list…guess everyone wants to tweet everything right now.
welikebaseball2
August 2nd, 2011
11:52 am
Big Earl: “One year does not make a career.” Hmmm, I’m guessing you were among those opposed to us signing Charles Johnson? If you’ll notice, he had one double digit sack year & got millions thrown at him. My point is, if you think a young player who had a great year has the ability to repeat that…you invest in him. No one’s saying sign him to a max contract. We’re saying he’s a more than capable NFL-starter-caliber CB (actually, a Pro Bowl CB)…and we’d be hard pressed to find an adequate, REALISTIC replacement for him.
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
11:57 am
welike….are you related to him or something?
Big Earl
August 2nd, 2011
12:00 pm
@welikebaseball2…I’ll stand by my “one year…” comment. As for CJ, I think Carolina gave him way too much. My comments were directed to a comment from UGA 1999 that indicated he didn’t feel “respected He and felt like the #2 corner behind Daunte”. I’m so tired of these guys who have one good year and think they should be paid like the guys who have had several good years. That’s all I’m saying. I liked Grimes and do think we have to sign him, but on the Falcons terms. His day will come, but until then NO WHINING!
Chucktown38
August 2nd, 2011
12:04 pm
What are we questioning here. Grimes is to short doesn’t weight enougnt to make proper tackles. Keep in mind I think he isa great athlete, but how often do athletes make good football players. I say let him go and go get Rogers.
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
12:07 pm
The Falcons are not done dealing.
please
August 2nd, 2011
12:11 pm
The most likely scenario is that no team offers him more than Falcons did. Who would risk that much $ and a 1st round pick on a former undrafted CB that has been in league 3 years and started really only 1 season? He hada good season, plays with a lot of heart but is undersized… Let him look around but he will come back and take Falcons offer because it will be the best he can get.
Justin
August 2nd, 2011
12:14 pm
Grimes is good, and the August 4th is valid. But he should be there for meetings and walkthru like Clabo, Edwards, and the rest are.
BirdDog
August 2nd, 2011
12:16 pm
Any chance they could let him go and sign a FA, like Carlos Rogers? Someone who isn’t 5′6″?
Kyle
August 2nd, 2011
12:18 pm
Take the first rounder and try to get Samuel.
Dr. Warren
August 2nd, 2011
12:19 pm
He’ll be back in Atlanta. Nobody wants to give up a #1 draft choice for a guy who had one good year.
BreesusChrist
August 2nd, 2011
12:22 pm
That lil guy can play…hats off to him! Betta sign him or lose him
rm
August 2nd, 2011
12:22 pm
If he’s truly 5′10″ like it says on the website, then I must be 7 ft. LOL!
Nique
August 2nd, 2011
12:25 pm
@Foxdog…Definitely, if its not an elite team then take the 1st round pick (top 20). Even if it is an elite team I would think about it. I think the Falcons are sitting back wishing someone would make that happen…I like Grimes, but that would be a steal in my opinion especially if we can find another solid option at corner.
Runner-
August 2nd, 2011
12:31 pm
Let him walk. Grimes is way overrated
Hey
August 2nd, 2011
12:33 pm
Enter your comments here
Greg Moundine
August 2nd, 2011
12:40 pm
@UGA 1999 ; I see you are back. If I had a family and I knew I had a little skills, I would test the market as well. I do not think any player is overrated. What makes a player, I believe, is the system. Go get TO and Asante!
Greg Moundine
August 2nd, 2011
12:41 pm
New England will prove this with OCHO and Albert; it’s the system..and yes the coach is part of the system!
TONY
August 2nd, 2011
12:42 pm
Maybe i haven’t been watching the same falcons team as you guys..Because brent grimes is clearly the best cornerback we have
ctfalconfan
August 2nd, 2011
12:42 pm
I’m a HUGE Falcons Fan and I like Grimes but he is WAY OVER RATED!!
He made the Pro Bowl because someone was injured..
If wants to test the market GREAT FOR HIM, I certainly would do it if I was him but ATL needs to try and sign and PAY a true Prow Bowl corner!!
ME
August 2nd, 2011
12:44 pm
if he doesnt sign we BETTER take the first round pick…that would be huge for us with the guys that will be first round picks coming up…
jerseyfalcon
August 2nd, 2011
12:48 pm
Gotta sign Grimes..if not who else is out there? The only other decent corner is Carlos Rogers, and he’s been iffy for a while now. Can’t tarde for Asante because he isn’t a man to man corner..he’s always played zone. Grimes plays man to man better..plus he’s younger, and probably faster.
tony
August 2nd, 2011
12:48 pm
Grimes, sign and trade for OSI?