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
atlbeast
August 2nd, 2011
2:05 pm
but when they go to the otherside i’m screaming GET HELP!!
atlbeast
August 2nd, 2011
2:07 pm
A Samuel can stay where he’s is if the Eagles picked up 2 more corners what does that say about him?
Stacey D.
August 2nd, 2011
2:08 pm
DLed… I am really shocked at this….really… I hope you have the B#$$S to apologize for any misunderstanding because I do not think you want any of Mr. Grimes Manager after what I heard on the radio.
chc4
August 2nd, 2011
2:11 pm
isaprob — Blalock got his big deal b/c he was an unresricted free agent. Grimes is not. It’s that simple. He’s not a sure thing imo so no way he gets a long term deal until after this season. If he gets upset and decides to leave that’s his choice. Let’s not pretend Grimes was a lockdown guy last season. Yes he made some big plays. He also got beat a fair amount too. He is not an elite CB. He is a good one. Big difference.
Big Earl
August 2nd, 2011
2:15 pm
@chc4…well said!!! And Brent, control your woman. I’m no D’Led fan by any stretch, but she’s doing you a lot more harm than good.
ATL Fan
August 2nd, 2011
2:15 pm
chc4,
Good player, not elite. Agreed.
mr164164
August 2nd, 2011
2:15 pm
WOW @D. Orlando Ledbetter
Miss Grimes kind of got in your arse on the 2 Live Stews. I can’t wait to hear your response after the break.
phutbul speccialiwhole team st
August 2nd, 2011
2:16 pm
Matt Ryan had some errant throws against Green Bay and nobody is talking about getting rid of him. Some of y’all are idiots to suggest getting of Grimes because of one bad game in which the whole team performed awful including the coaching staff. Why don’t we just get rid of the whole team and get a whole new team in free agency. “NUCKLEDRAGGERS!”
UGA 1999
August 2nd, 2011
2:18 pm
Phut…..when that game happens to be the best chance the Falcons have had in a while to make it to the SB and we get blown up because our corners kept getting burned….what do you think we should do?
crackbaby
August 2nd, 2011
2:18 pm
Brent Grimes will sign with the Falcons. He is a great DB. May need help in certain situations but he is one of the “explosive players” TD and Coach Smith talked about in the off season as team needs. Give me the overlooked small guy with the big heart and a hunger to win and prove himself.
A Samuel is damaged goods. Beware of anyone Belichick discards. Falcons may have to play a lot of zone and stunt at the line of scrimmage this year. Don’t give up on Chris Owens, Falcons wouldn’t have kept him if he didn’t have the talent.
Hope our O-line gets better, especially run blocking with the game on the line.
Falcon Fanatic
August 2nd, 2011
2:20 pm
Wow, D Led just got a new arsehole ripped by Brent’s wife on the stews!! HA!!
Dilla
August 2nd, 2011
2:21 pm
DOL get your facts straight and stop starting up mess…Grimes may not be elite but he’s the best corner on the team and outside of Abraham the only playmaker on defense. We definately need him in this pass happy league where you can’t breath on a wide receiver these days.
NickD
August 2nd, 2011
2:21 pm
Hey, dude I think your story is a little off. I feel that you are reporting something not true or this is planned.
Big Earl
August 2nd, 2011
2:22 pm
I love the idea of Steve Smith, but @ 7 mil plus, can we fit him into our cap? Does anyone know how much cap room the Falcons have?
chuck
August 2nd, 2011
2:23 pm
One thing to consider is the first round pick is AFTER the first round so it would be like pick 33 or higher. Would we trade Grimes for the 33rd pick? In a normal year, the answer is yes. The problem is we didn’t draft a nickel back like we needed so we don’t have the depth to lose Grimes.
An after the first round pick would sure be nice because we need to emulate New England. They have a playoff team every year because they stockpile 2nd and 3rd round draft choices. They seem to have 10 picks every year and thus can save a lot of money for high priced free agents and veterans.
That being said, I wouldn’t over pay for him. Keep in mind that Grimes was usually matched up with a 2nd option WR and had safety help because no team threw to the other side of the field.
atlbeast
August 2nd, 2011
2:27 pm
So chuck ur saying Grimes played the #2 WR and no one threw to the other side OOOOooooooo KAY…………GOTCHA
NoGrimes
August 2nd, 2011
2:29 pm
DOL is doing his job, reporting the facts and proposing some possible reasons for Grimes’ behavior to encourage discussion and debate. What’s wrong with that? Lay off the man and hopefully Mrs. G. will grow up and perhaps get a hobby, wash her mouth out, and become a better role model for her child.
atlbeast
August 2nd, 2011
2:29 pm
So Aaron didn’t throw to Jennings?
chc4
August 2nd, 2011
2:31 pm
Live, breathing humans actually listen to the Stews?
atlbeast
August 2nd, 2011
2:33 pm
And Jennings is the #2 guy that played across from D. Robinson….
NoGrimes
August 2nd, 2011
2:34 pm
Big Earl is on the target. Brent has gotta control the Mrs. She is absolutely doing him more harm than good. I lost respect for Brent after seeing and hearing how she is behaving because any man that would have a trashy woman like that is bound to be trouble for the team sooner or later.
atlbeast
August 2nd, 2011
2:34 pm
So who did Grimes cover?
falconfiend
August 2nd, 2011
2:36 pm
Grimes has josh freeman’s number. We need to sign grimes because he is physical corner without fear going against taller recievers. there are not to many tall corners in the league, its just the recievers are getting taller.
SEAN B
August 2nd, 2011
2:38 pm
WE FINALLY FOUND A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH!!! Our version of Cody Ross in baseball! PAY HIM NOW!!! We don’t want to see this guy end up in Green Bay winning Super Bowls and getting to pro bowls year after year (hmmmm brett favre)! PLEASE SECURE THE GUY and he will secure the defensive pass game!
tt44
August 2nd, 2011
2:38 pm
Grimes gets beat more than he makes great plays! He tends to get beat when it matters most in a close game…I have pulled for him and cheered him on as an underdog. However, I think he appears to be full of himself. Ya, know, IF I were one of these extremely rich owners! I would insist the players honoring their contracts,( let them sit out and sure them for not honoring a legally signed document.) The owners are the reason these fellas make the millions….. by the same token, I would honor my players and take care of them that have a good work ethic!
As for Grimes in the pro bowl…did he have a “fluke” season last yr. can he produce and not get beat!?
cbdevil
August 2nd, 2011
2:41 pm
It is incredibly sad we have reached the point where a sports reporter can stray this far from the truth and hide behind “I’m just doing my job”.
atlbeast
August 2nd, 2011
2:41 pm
Sounds like Al Davis you would be owning the Raiders lol
atlbeast
August 2nd, 2011
2:42 pm
tt44
falconfiend
August 2nd, 2011
2:44 pm
if you go from out of no where and get to the probowl youi deserve some money. I believe grimes is playing better than c owens and he is battling for a spot. pay the pro bowl cornerback. the falcons are thin at that position and grimes knows the defense already. If you take a look back at last season grimes came up big. If our defensive ends would have played better against greenbay then our cornerbacks would not being running around chasing after people.
Facts are facts
August 2nd, 2011
2:52 pm
DOL, got it wrong. On RayEdwards. On Brent Grimes.Point blank period.Lay off Mrs. Grimes. I dont see anyone taking there business anywhere else from Drew R… Year after year he gets the top clients asking him for representation.She IS his manager. Its sorta like Obama. You may not like it, but live with it.Yes we can and did!
GRIMES UPDATE: Dress shoes and tube socks! | Atlanta Falcons
August 2nd, 2011
2:58 pm
[...] Well party on then! Guess they didn’t like me doing my job. [...]
falconfiend
August 2nd, 2011
3:01 pm
falcons just need to sign grimes and snell and lets get back to the playoffs. i believe the falcons will be in a better position this year with the players they have. the falcons beat good teams last year including the last two superbowl champs(saints) (packers) in the regular season.
The Real Facts
August 2nd, 2011
3:04 pm
Hey “Facts are Not Facts,” Mrs. G. chose to put herself in the middle of this issue and by behaving SO BADLY, she deserves to be criticized for not showing more diginty, class and respect for her husband’s image and the team.
Gospel Truth
August 2nd, 2011
3:07 pm
Facts are Facts must live in Australia because he’s looking at the world upside down!
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
August 2nd, 2011
3:14 pm
Pay him!
The Light!
August 2nd, 2011
3:19 pm
Hold On! Now….. its a debate that Grimmes may be 1 of the best corner in the league. (I luv the dude) But theres no debate in my opinion Carl Nicks is the best Guard in the game. Atleast his owner think so. Then why are both offered the same amount??? I’m I missing something. Maybe there’s a formula on how they came up with that amount?? Dont want to talk bad about anyone but, AJC can do better then this. The question and answers article on J.R. was unfulfilling! PS.. If I was a team with multiple 1st round picks, and I need Oline help..I’ll take a shot at Nicks. The fall back is they may match it and you’ll have to sign him long term and that money count against this year cap. Just my thoughts.
Ben
August 2nd, 2011
3:36 pm
“He needs to shut his mouth.”
Sounds like Grimes will on the field Thurs?
randy
August 2nd, 2011
3:45 pm
don’t go after asanti. he’s talanted don’t get me wrong but we don’t need another ashley ambrose deal it just don’t work. Grimes is consistent and athletic. but he wouldn’t have been a pro bowler withouth dunta. i would like to see chris owens cus he’s talented but had a sophmore slump and injuries. anyway we go our secondary will be better because we finally have a d-line we have been lacking.
Vesaversa
August 2nd, 2011
3:52 pm
Take the first rounder.
DrJ
August 2nd, 2011
4:04 pm
The Falcons’ brass has read all the blog and has decided that they will have a thirty-minute one-on-one alternating White and Julio against Brent, and if he does well, they will give him half of Dunta’s take this season.
Facts are facts
August 2nd, 2011
4:10 pm
The Real Facts,Gospel Truth…yawn. She is not Brenda Warner, or Doug Christie’s wife. She was speaking as his manager, who happened to have inside information and perspective that only a wife can bring. Information btw, that would not have been made available byDOL Maybe you guys should board up your moms basement, venture up the stairs and date more.
0-2 w/smitty demitty &melt
August 2nd, 2011
4:12 pm
Or could the reason possibly be that Grimes knows the Falcons aren’t going anywhere , except in the minds of Falcon fans , and he’s going to see if maybe Philly , Green Bay , New Orleans or New York is interested. You know , a team that actually has a shot at a playoff victory or even a super bowl contender
Sunshine Falcon
August 2nd, 2011
4:36 pm
I hope Grimes resigns but if not. I also wouldn’t mind having Carlos Rogers.
Falcon228
August 2nd, 2011
4:46 pm
It seems that through out the league those that hold out are just being ignored. I notice CJ from the Titans isn’t getting what he wants. I like the kid too. He’s one of those players you hope will have success. Samuels is a good idea but again, don’t give away any more draft choices. Also, the Falcons are known to take care of their own. They’re not public about who or how much they are dealing with. We’ll see over the next several days how this situation shakes out.
seed
August 2nd, 2011
5:11 pm
Wow.
You are a real CHUMP!
You stink Ledbetter!
Brent Grimes is an asset to the falcons. He means much more to this town than you.
YOU SHOULD BE FIRED!!!!!
D-Bird
August 2nd, 2011
5:25 pm
First off let just say 1 Pro Bowl does not make you a instant Star! Fullfill your contract and see what’s out there next year. If your good as you think you are then a repeat of what Mr Grimes did last year will be a brezze for the 2011 season. No team is crazy enough to offer a 1st round draft pick for Grimes. That would be rolling the dice. B. Grimes if you are listening get to practice! You can only make us better with being a team player. Trust me Mr Blanks will take care of you next season.
jprince
August 2nd, 2011
5:30 pm
how could you know if you should match an offer if you don’t know what the offer is? i think the falcons feel 2.61 mil is a fair. an offer of a 1/2 mil more, they probably take the draft pick. i don.t here a bidding war going on…. brent should take the money if he is confident in his ability. he’ll get his big contract next year from somebody—if he plays well.
hiramsaint
August 2nd, 2011
5:53 pm
oh kenny- are you out there ? our D is looking better every day. whats your D done – oh thats right- signed a f/a d.e..hmmmmm i thought your philosophy was to build thru the draft. hows that working out so far- i see- 0-2 huh. if your interested , and i know you are , check out what the saints have done with the D so far. # 4 last year possibly #1 this year with all the additions[plural] and only one player left to sign , goodwin. it wasn’t quite as hard to sign all those players as you led me to believe. thats not nice kenny-see ya
Hugo
August 2nd, 2011
6:08 pm
I say sign him get Samuel and put Grimes at the nickel. Simple.
D-Man
August 2nd, 2011
6:21 pm
Just when I thought the AJC’s sports reporting couldn’t get worse than Terence Moore….
….along comes Orlando Bedwetter. Are y’all cousins or something?