Atlanta Falcons: Grimes will not sign franchise tag
The Falcons' defense slowed down Green Bay and New Orleans this season, but they need to get cornerback Brent Grimes back, according to Mayock. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
UPDATE: Grimes doesn’t plan to sign the franchise tag.
“We have no plans to sign the tag at this time,” said Ben Dogra, Grimes’ agent. “We hope to be able to continue to discuss [through] all the issues at the appropriate time.”
POSTED EARLIER
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff told us at the NFL scouting combine last week that the Falcons were considering placing the franchise tag on Brent Grimes.
The folks in the Grimes’ camp told us yesterday, “I think he’s going to get tagged.”
This morning on 790 The Zone, Dimitroff made it official.
“That’s at the top of our list, as you could imagine,” said Dimitroff over the airwaves from California, where he’s on a scouting trip. “We spent a lot of time on this decision and we decided that we will put the franchise tag on Brent Grimes. We are looking forward to continuing discussions with his representatives. We are excited about having him back for the next year, if not more. This is a good thing for us as an organization.”
He also addressed why the team feels that Grimes is worth more than $10 million.
“Our feeling is [that] Brent Grimes is an excellent athlete who can move, cover and break on the ball with some of the top corners in this league,” Dimitroff said. “We feel comfortable with his abilities and the way they he’s picked up our system and has settled in nicely over the last few years that we’ve been here. . . .Brent Grimes obviously does that against, big, small, fast or slow receivers in this league. We’re encouraged about having him back.”
The radio station is the team’s flagship broadcasting partner and the team is moving toward breaking news with media outlets that they have financial relationships with.
The Falcons have to start making some moves on their own players or they will become unrestricted free agents at 4 p.m. on March 13. The deadline to place the franchise tag on a player is Monday.
While defensive end Kroy Biermann is set to sign a contract extension, several other deals are expected before March 13.
He also stated that the team is not in negotiations with quarterback Matt Ryan for a contract extension at this time, the negotiations with middle linebacker Curtis Lofton are ongoing and the team wants John Abraham back. He did not reveal at what price the team wanted Abraham back.
Here’s the list of the Falcons’ prospective free agents: Abraham, John DE; Chambers, Kirk OL; DeCoud, Thomas S; Douglas, Harry WR; Grimes, Brent CB; Hayden, Kelvin CB; Kelly, Reggie TE; Lofton, Curtis LB; McClure, Todd OL; Peterson, Mike LB; Redman, Chris QB; Romberg, Brett OL; Sanders, James S; Snelling, Jason RB; Weems, Eric WR and Zelenka, Joe LS.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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259 comments Add your comment
Big Crimson 75
March 2nd, 2012
10:53 am
Grimes has been a solid player for the Falcons. Franchising Grimes makes more sense than using the Tag on Loftin or Abe — neither of whom are worth top 5 @ their position money….Abe is too old & Loftin, while solid, is no where near worth the kind of $$ franchising him would cost.
With Grimes wrapped — now it’s time Linemen — on both sides of the Line.
Double Zero Eight
March 2nd, 2012
10:54 am
It’s not my money. I wish Grimes the best.
Having “heart’ goes a loing way, and makes up
for his physical limitations for the most part.
falconfan
March 2nd, 2012
10:54 am
Now it says he’s not gonna sign it. That might change some things.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 2nd, 2012
10:55 am
Heard back from the Grimes’ camp. They have no intentions of signing the franchise tag. It appears they want to pursue a long-term deal. This one could get messy.
Mr. Pappagiorgio
March 2nd, 2012
10:57 am
How can they not sign it? Does that mean he sits out if they wont sign it?
Jason
March 2nd, 2012
10:58 am
D-Led – Can you provide any more context on what his refusal to sign the franchise tag means? I mean, does he really have a choice in the matter? If the Falcon’s declare that he’s franchised, what are his options? Thanks.
GT GRAD
March 2nd, 2012
11:00 am
The question is: Can we really Franchise Tag Brent Grimes, sign Mario Wliiams AND afford to fill the remaining vacant spots (Falcon Free Agents & draft picks) under the cap??
Joe Tess Fish House
March 2nd, 2012
11:00 am
Just grate. The Flacons….I mean Dummytroff realy blew this one. Had they not wasisted all that money on Donto Roberson they could pay Grimes but no they had 2 be stupid.
Boom Dizzle
March 2nd, 2012
11:03 am
I really hope this was just to buy more time to work out a better deal. Grimes is a big time player, but we can’t seriously be paying him around $10 mil….Work out a better deal TD…
MIke#1
March 2nd, 2012
11:04 am
Let that punk walk. He’s not going to win the team a championship.
falconsguy111
March 2nd, 2012
11:14 am
Grimes can afford a membership at Gold’s Gym now……awesome
falconsguy111
March 2nd, 2012
11:17 am
Brent get $2M…….wife gets the rest
JSS
March 2nd, 2012
11:21 am
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 2nd, 2012
10:55 am
“This one could get messy.”
Didn’t we have this conversation the other day?
PMC
March 2nd, 2012
11:21 am
It’s better off to sign a long term deal if they want to keep him. As far as I know, a non exclusive would mean another team could sign Grimes in return for two 1st round picks of compensation. Or Grimes can, just not sign the tag and not play period.
I don’t understand why players view this as a bad thing. 10.2 million dollars IS generational money and it’s guaranteed. Much of the long term deals are not guaranteed at all. The Falcons can’t want to pay Grimes 10.2 million of thier cap space this season, but neither do they want to let him become a free agent.
Grimes wants a long term deal and the Falcons would probably like to offer one. The question is, does Grimes want to be a Falcon?
The other possibility is that this is his only shot at a big contract and it diminishes if he plays another year with him being older, but seriously, 10.2 million guaranteed is a lot to scoff at.
I’d sign and try to work out a longer deal after that, you can always holdout.
coachx
March 2nd, 2012
11:22 am
Get Mario Williams !
The Falconator
March 2nd, 2012
11:27 am
I respect the athleticism and grit Grimes brings to the D-backfield, but he gives up five or six inches in height and a good bit of arm length to the elite receivers in the league. He’s a keeper because he’s able to maintain his coverage despite the absence of a pass rush. He has earned a solid payday, but the tag makes the deal too rich. The Falcons are in a bind because there is no apparent replacement for him in the ranks and the FA list is thin at CB. Before giving up on Dunta, let’s see him in a man/press defense which is his preferred set-up. More importantly, find some linemen who can hold blocks and generate some push.
Shawn
March 2nd, 2012
11:31 am
We wasted too much money on High Priced Free Agents when we should be developing through the Draft, There are plenty of picks we skipped over that turned into Pro Bowlers, Patrick Willis, Asante Samuel, Pierre Paul, We Just keep missing on the High Picks and the Falcons love to Keep Drafting Injured Players- Our Peria Jerry DT along with Sam Baker, And not to mention Bust Pick Ups like Dunta Robinson. And can we please start Lawrence Sidbury,
Mike Franklin
March 2nd, 2012
11:33 am
To heck with him. If he doesn’t want to wear our uniform, let him go. Why pay him big $$ to come back and be an unhappy, do-nothing because he wants to be in Detroit or Cleveland?
Freakin cut him.
mave2124
March 2nd, 2012
11:34 am
Grrrreat (with sarcasm)….there is my answer, his camp decides to act the way they did last year in not signing tender until last minute…No Grimes around the facility until Training Camp….oh well…
ATL Fan
March 2nd, 2012
11:46 am
Time to check into trading Grimes. Find out what the Redskins want to pay him, if it’s more than the franchise amount, look at getting their first round draft pick and 3rd round pick(#70), then sign and trade.
Breaking; The Atlanta Falcons Franchised Brent Grimes But He’s Not Going To Sign Off. | Get In The View
March 2nd, 2012
11:55 am
[...] may not be well in the land as the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter has just reported that Grimes will not sign the [...]
Joshua Malavenda
March 2nd, 2012
11:57 am
Falconfan- you took the words right out of my mouth I was thinking the same thing.
My thoughts- I bet one of the players they are meeting on the west coast is coby fleener. I think abs walks and I hope clofton comes to some agreement but I wouldnt be upset if he walked either.
Brent Grimes
March 2nd, 2012
12:01 pm
He won’t sign franchise tag, now what’s next TD?
Jimmy Crack
March 2nd, 2012
12:03 pm
I met Zelenka at one of the preseason camps. A very funny guy.
Good for #20 getting paid. Now all he needs to do is have a solid season and he will get his overdue multi-year contract in 2013. This one is for the team, Brent. We need you.
da roosta
March 2nd, 2012
12:10 pm
Too much money. Let him go. I would say to resign him if they released Robinson.
1982 Falcons Fan
March 2nd, 2012
12:12 pm
Everybody saying give C. Owens a chance the man can’t cover his bed he is the reason we lost to the Packers in the playoffs was because of his two dumba$$ penalties he got be4 halftime i see why we never win in ATL we hardly ever go get a player wit a name or who was good in college we draft bad players all the time and try to develop’em all the time we might as well work for a Ford dealership wit a these recall players that we have on the team
PMC
March 2nd, 2012
12:12 pm
Releasing Robinson is not an option, he cost almost as much to cut as to keep this year and next year.
Samuel
March 2nd, 2012
12:13 pm
Bob of Buford, with no number one picks and not many available corners in free agency what were the Falcons to do? You have to look at the entire situation. Besides Grimes isn’t chop liver…..
BIRDSFLYHIGH
March 2nd, 2012
12:15 pm
I love Grimes but I see the tag & trade for picks move here. Darrin Walls is another Brent Grimes, just watch & see!
Good move
March 2nd, 2012
12:15 pm
He is the most important player on the defense. You have to sign him.
Hollywould
March 2nd, 2012
12:17 pm
Man, all u people saying he is too short. What cornerback is as tall as AJ. Green? calvin johnson? vincent jackson? Nobody. Name me a 6ft 2 corner You can’t. This guy is the best athelete on the team. Undercuts slants, outs, curls, as good as anyone in this league. Yeah, he gets beat sometimes because he takes some chances. Much rather have him on that corner than someone playing 12 yards deep and never making a play.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 2nd, 2012
12:24 pm
Jason — Holdout and keep negotiating a new deal.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 2nd, 2012
12:27 pm
PMC — You are correct on Dunta. He’s a Falcon. Wrap your arms around him and love him up.
ATLBOSS
March 2nd, 2012
12:29 pm
Why would you franchise a 5′8 inch cornerback? Then resign bierman? Same thing all over again. It’s time to remove Dimitroff. No elite athletes in Atlanta sports. Maybe Julio Jones.
G. Tanner
March 2nd, 2012
12:30 pm
He’s a really good corner. Much better, and I mean much, much better than overpaid, underperforming Dunta Robinson. I know agents hate the franchise tag, but really, either way, this will mean he has earned a payday far beyond what he had any expectation of coming out of college. Hope he’s not sad or mad about getting really rich.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 2nd, 2012
12:30 pm
Franchise tag deals can get messy. Here’s a clip from Dunta Robinson’s situation with the Texans.
canadian falcon
March 2nd, 2012
12:30 pm
why spend 12 million on abe when you can spend a couple million more and have a major upgrade with super mario. Him, peters, babineaux, edwards…….. look out qbs
Its Certified | Falcons placed Franchise Tag On Brent Grimes
March 2nd, 2012
12:30 pm
[...] have no plans to sign the tag at this time,” Ben Dogra told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “We hop[e] to be able to continue to disscuss through all the issues at the appropriate [...]
Matt Ryan's Dad
March 2nd, 2012
12:31 pm
Does it surprise anyone that he could possibly hold out? After all, this is the same man who was too “injured” to play against the Giants.
G. Tanner
March 2nd, 2012
12:31 pm
I’ll wrap my arms around Dunta when he starts wrapping his arms around some receivers and ball carriers and wrapping his hands around some footballs.
The Talker
March 2nd, 2012
12:35 pm
No negotiations with Matt Ryan…Hmmm, has the eye opening time arrived??
Falcons might have to prepare for drama with Grimes | Goal-Line Stand | Blogs | theScore.com
March 2nd, 2012
12:37 pm
[...] it looks as though the first scenario could be in play. D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has an ominous quote from Grimes’ agent, Ben Dogra: “We have no plans to sign the tag at [...]
stingembuzz
March 2nd, 2012
12:37 pm
Stupid move to tag Grimes. He is not a top 5 DB and is now going to get paid top 5 money.
J.J.M.
March 2nd, 2012
12:40 pm
lol everyone wants mario williams so bad…too bad it wont happen…falcons better off signing grant wistrom and patrick kerney
Bzaust
March 2nd, 2012
12:49 pm
Chopbuster@10:05 Lightweight really Grimes covered Megatron as good as anybody could last year …. enough said. He’s earned every penny.
Matt A
March 2nd, 2012
12:49 pm
For the people that don’t think Grimes was worth the franchise tag you are absolute idiots and your football acumen is ZERO!!! Nothing is ever good enough for Falcon fans, and all the people criticizing are nothing more than armchair QB’s that have no clue about the sport! Its no coincidence that FORBES gave us the worst sport city in America, I really being to question the intelligence of some of the naysayers on these boards. Grimes deserves his payday, he has been the most consistent and best CB we have and he knows the system like the back of his hand. He’s the most athletic player on our team and tackles EXTREMELY well! GREAT MOVE TD!!!! PS- We WILL sign Mario Williams…
jay
March 2nd, 2012
12:49 pm
I liked Grimes a lot more when he was only costing the team $2.5 milliion.
DBoss
March 2nd, 2012
12:52 pm
The problem with the D the last few years was the the predictable soft zone on 3rd and long. We’ve had enough talent, just haven’t played any press coverage. With tat being said, I’d love to see Mario Williams in a Falcons uniform for several years.
Falco peregrino
March 2nd, 2012
12:56 pm
Falconriseup that’s the point of the franchise tag, to buy extra time to work out a contract.
Rip
March 2nd, 2012
12:56 pm
I say sign him to a deal and then trade him for some picks, this draft is loaded