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
Luv 2 Hate Me
August 2nd, 2011
12:49 pm
I agree with Beef putting him on blast Orlando is a low blow but I guess that’s your job. Journalist like to cause drama to have something to talk about. Grimes for the most part did a good at CB last year and I think he deserves more money. He did a better job than “Robinson”. Lets not go crazy but I think he deserves a few more dollars than 2.61 mil. With Grimes he’ll live up to the money which I can’t say the same about Robinson.
ctfalconfan
August 2nd, 2011
12:49 pm
I just don’t see any team wanting to
a) Pay him more money
b) give up their 1st rd draft pick
Grimes needs to face reality that he’s here for another season unless ATL signs Samuel THEN PULLS their offer and 1st rd tender off Gromes then another team would certainly sign him but for more than $2.6 mill??? I doubt it. The kid needs to sign with ATL now otherwise his stock will be going down.
TONY
August 2nd, 2011
12:52 pm
@ctfalconfan well if that’s the case why didn’t our so called number 1 cornerback make the pro bowl why did they choose our number two cornerback instead ?
If brent grimes is overrated what does that make dunta robinson ?
Brian Hunt
August 2nd, 2011
12:53 pm
Ledbetter is taking justified criticism today and blocking it. Yellow journalism for sure. He’s just mad because Grimes’ Mom went off on him once before. He should take the emotion out of it.
jamaal
August 2nd, 2011
12:54 pm
How quickly everyone forgets how good he was last year. Sign the guy. Asant cost too much and is older. Sign Grimes. He outplayed his contract, “take care” of our guys!
papadawg
August 2nd, 2011
12:57 pm
Good DBs are hard to find. Sign Him
PaulieOldSchool
August 2nd, 2011
12:57 pm
I say sign the dude. The poster who said $2.6 for a Pro-Bowl CB was absolutely right. I don’t want a tempermental head case (i.e. Samuels) here. Lastly, Brett can sky and regularly goes up and takes balls away from taller players. He plays big, in other words. Pay the man.
jerseyfalcon
August 2nd, 2011
12:59 pm
Osi plays on the right side..and top rated palyers don’t like to switch sides. JA plays the right and I strongly doubt he’ll want to switch to the left side.
isproab
August 2nd, 2011
1:05 pm
At this point, if I’m Grimes I’m not signing that deal either. Grimes made the pro bowl and is an important part for the Falcons. Jenkins was scheduled to make 3.5 million and he was just average. If nobody else comes calling, then Grimes will sign the tender I’m sure. However, he is worth more than 2.61 million. I say at least 4 million in salary for the first year.
Chess
August 2nd, 2011
1:10 pm
Jamaal made a good comment. Did Grimes out play his contract? Yes. But I remember the small corners we had in the L. Bennett days.
ken herock
August 2nd, 2011
1:16 pm
Did Grimes make a disparaging remark about D-Led’s bowtie??
MIKE
August 2nd, 2011
1:17 pm
Didn’t Grimes attend all of the player organized 7 0n 7’s? How can you then criticize him?
MIKE
August 2nd, 2011
1:19 pm
Bedwetter doing everything he can to try and cause unrest in Falcons land. He is abusing his position poor journalism…
NoGrimes
August 2nd, 2011
1:20 pm
Send him packing and take the first round pick. We need someone taller with better taste in women! No room at “The Branch” for an irrational, disrespectful, uncontrollable trash talking woman like that who tarnishes the image and repuation of her husband and his team.
Greg Moundine
August 2nd, 2011
1:21 pm
TO, TO, TO, TO, TO
chc4
August 2nd, 2011
1:21 pm
isproab — Very kind of you to spend Arthur’s money so generously. Why would the Falcons pay him $4mill when the system only requires them to pay $2.6mill? Doubt you’d have that same take if you were the one signing his check!
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
1:22 pm
OSI will not help us now that we have Edwards.
FALCONS SUPER BOWL BOUND
August 2nd, 2011
1:23 pm
Get Asante!!!!! Get Asante!!!!
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
1:26 pm
ASANTE WOULD BE A GREAT FIT!
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
1:27 pm
Asante and Steve Smith!
Greg Moundine
August 2nd, 2011
1:27 pm
TO or WR Smith.
PMC
August 2nd, 2011
1:30 pm
The first round pick doesn’t come out of thin air. A team has to give the Falcons thier first round pick for him. Not going to happen. He’s valuable to the Falcons which is why they offered a 1st round tender. It’s not like if he doesn’t sign the Falcons are awarded a pick. If he’s not in by the 4th he’s just a hold out. Just business. Hard to argue with him feeling he’s worth more when he outplayed the heck out of the 50M guy across the field from him.
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
1:30 pm
Smith
Greg Moundine
August 2nd, 2011
1:31 pm
TO or Smith..how about Floyd?
grimeyrules
August 2nd, 2011
1:32 pm
y’all need to lay off Grimey, as he probably doesn’t like to be called. he deserves to get paid, and will, and will light it up this year. Chris Owens (why is he allowed #21?) is who we need to worry about being on the field at all. don’t know why we let brian williams go
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
1:32 pm
I would still take SS.
ANTOINEFORD
August 2nd, 2011
1:33 pm
Nobody will trade a first rounder for that non-drafted hothead.
Redoubt
August 2nd, 2011
1:33 pm
I don’t blame Grimes for trying to get a good deal… but if the kid from Shippensburg walks away from the team that dared to give him a shot, he’ll regret it in the long run. He’ll show himself to be the type who is not ever going to be happy with anyone except himself.
PMC
August 2nd, 2011
1:36 pm
Brian Williams was a good guy for us but his knees are pretty much done I think. He had a lot of health issues. Depending on what happens with Owens and Franks, they probably will pickup another veteran CB later on in the preseason. Hard to start the season relying on Owens and Franks to start in the Nickel.
PMC
August 2nd, 2011
1:37 pm
He can’t walk away without an offer and no team is going to offer a 1st rounder in return for him. His choice is basically play for 2.61M or don’t play at all and hope the Falcons have to offer him a long term deal. He’s a year away from Free Agency.
PMC
August 2nd, 2011
1:38 pm
I love the guy though and I hope he’s back. One of my favorite players on the team.
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
1:41 pm
Either way the Falcons needed a new CB and a new WR.
Sickofit Falcon female Fan
August 2nd, 2011
1:41 pm
D Led
All you are doing here is ASS U Me ING in this article if you don’t have a comment from Grimes or his Super agents then let it go, he has until the 4th of August to show for camp and he has said that, I don’t think Grimes have a big head or holding out he is just following the advice of his representivies. He did a good job last season and I believe he will do one this year. I’m glad is wife is blasting you on twitter
Greg Moundine
August 2nd, 2011
1:42 pm
I agree UGA 1999
isproab
August 2nd, 2011
1:45 pm
chc4, I was critical of Grimes for years, Falcons are going to do what they are going to do. For his play, I feel he has earn at least that amount. That’s not a ton of money for a starting CB. I’m attempting to figure out how Blalock gets 6 years 38 million. He is a nice piece but I think that was a bit high. Again, they allocate the money how they see fit, but I’m sure Grimes sees things differently.
This is why there is a negotiation period. Grimes has not choice if he gets no other offer, but if he is resentful he may just walk when he is a free agent and nobody can blame him.
Pete
August 2nd, 2011
1:45 pm
I’d let the Minnie Mouse go. In reality he’s only 5′7″ tall, about the size of an average 7th grade kid who would be a serious A-1 athlete. I mean “small” is one thing………….this midget is another.
Let ‘em go and go find an adult who can cover a 6′2″ all pro receiver.
NoGrimes
August 2nd, 2011
1:48 pm
So true Pete! Right on!
atlbeast
August 2nd, 2011
1:49 pm
Pete is on some good drugs………………….LOL
atlbeast
August 2nd, 2011
1:50 pm
These guys must be saint fans…
atlbeast
August 2nd, 2011
1:52 pm
Hey R White ate alot of those big corners up last season >
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
1:53 pm
Atlbeast….Roddy is also around 6′4″
The Falconer
August 2nd, 2011
1:54 pm
Uh, D-Led, Mrs. Grimes holding on line one…
Sid
August 2nd, 2011
1:58 pm
I noticed Brent during his first free agent camp just out of Shippensburg. I commented on his heart and hustle to the gentelman standing next to me, turned out to be his Dad. No player plays taller than Grimes.
Tough situation. We can use a 1st Rounder next year but don’t want to see him go. Agents see dollars in their own pockets here. Hope Brent isn’t getting the wrong advise.
dude bro
August 2nd, 2011
1:58 pm
Grimes is the biggest playmaker on the entire defensive squad. We can’t afford to loose him.
A sincere compliment
August 2nd, 2011
1:59 pm
I love SPIDERMONKEY!!! It’s our crew’s nickname for Grimes. Underdog player that has the heart to win. Pay up and continue to build the consistency. I don’t think last year was a fluke.
slydog
August 2nd, 2011
1:59 pm
I may not ever be allowed to comment on this blog again, but this article may be a straight lie. Brent and Miko Grimes have both been on television and radio shows this morning pissed about this article. Brent Grimes CANNOT REPORT UNTIL AUG.4TH per NFL rules. Not to mention the fact, Miko Grimes, his wife, is pissed with this reporter (D. Orlando Ledbetter), for making an article that does not concern the facts. Now she feels her husband is being targeted for not being a team player and over-valuing himself. So readers, what say you?
atlbeast
August 2nd, 2011
2:00 pm
He leaves it all on the field….
Sid
August 2nd, 2011
2:01 pm
gentlemen, advice
What did I drink last night……………….lol……..
Sid
August 2nd, 2011
2:03 pm
slydog, DOL must not have his monitor on
atlbeast
August 2nd, 2011
2:03 pm
Grimes is air support for the deff. I love when they throw to his side because I have faith in his skills and ability to make a play .