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
joe white
August 2nd, 2011
7:04 pm
Well Grimes get your butt in and sign, dont mess up cause no other team gave u a chance but the falcons, i remember when u could not cover a fly. Hey let him go get samuels and give philly that pick and we set for the next several years with two pro bowl corners
Confess_Jesus_Now
August 2nd, 2011
9:18 pm
He has shown his skills in many ways and I think he deserves at least $5million.
Papa Doc
August 2nd, 2011
10:36 pm
WOW, seems a lot of casual Falcons fans are very opinionated. If any of you have been watching the progression of Brent Grimes over the last 3 seasons and his MANY contributions of the team, you’d realize this man is worth MORE than $3Million/year. From unknown Shippensberg College to ATL practice squad, to Special teams, to Nickle back, to Starting Corner, to PRO BOWL.
PAY THE MAN
Side Note: There is not a single CB, currently a Free Agent, that is BETTER than Grimes
Thank the Eagles for that
NothingButTheTruth
August 2nd, 2011
10:39 pm
He has shown that he has no class and no control over his woman. I think he deserves to be sent to the Bengals, Bills, or Raiders. Guarantee him and miko a front row seat at home for the Super Bowl for years to come.
Whatsup!
August 2nd, 2011
11:07 pm
PAPA DOC:
You have a point, but you gotta admit that lil Miko is a psycho! We don’t need that kind of distraction here in ATL or at the branch.
Atown21
August 3rd, 2011
1:02 am
Leave Samuels where he is…he’s 86 years old!!! Keep Grimes, give him a 3 year deal and let’s play football…he’s earned his right to a new contract not a huge contract but a decent one…the secondary is like the O-line they piggy back of each other…you don’t give up a player like Grimes right after he starts playing to a probowl level that’s stupid…we have what we hope to be an explosive offense now..we’re replacing Norwood fragile butt with Quizz…we now have 2 legit pass rushers on the end (if Abraham can stay healthy)…Our LB’s will be better than last year and a good fairly young secondary!
I didn’t like the fact we let Jenkins go…it may have been for cap reasons but he was our best possession receiver…but all in all I think the birds will fly high this year if we keep the key pieces, stay healthy and that means keeping Grimes for another year!!!!
Samuel
August 3rd, 2011
3:16 pm
Let’s just wait and see how this all plays out. Grimes is the best we have right now. Although if we can get a first rounder for him, It would be a good lure to get Ahanti Samuels. Now the question would be if the Eagles would deal him to the Falcons. Both our in contention for the NFC Championship.
b
August 3rd, 2011
9:00 pm
There is absolutely no one that is going to sign Grimes with this first round tender on his head. He isn’t worth it. Asante Samuels would just be a cap hog. Does he get interceptions, yes. But he gambles so often that he gets burnt on double moves. Not to mention the guy doesn’t even tackle. Grimes will report to camp, play him this year and let him hit the market next year.
Big Falcons Fan
August 4th, 2011
1:38 pm
Get in camp Grimes