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
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
259 comments Add your comment
Tommy Maddox
March 2nd, 2012
12:58 pm
Grimes won’t sign? Good – let’s get some D linemen instead!
jbo
March 2nd, 2012
12:58 pm
I don’t like it ,but what do I know.
C from Marietta
March 2nd, 2012
12:59 pm
FU Grimes. Don’t let the door hit you the you know what. Another greedy football player.
But watching football is probably more important to all you jokers than your kids.
America is going the way of the Roman Empire. Watch your games while the President and the Senate screw you!
jbo
March 2nd, 2012
12:59 pm
what happens if he does not sign?
J.J.M.
March 2nd, 2012
1:00 pm
if doesnt resign he will sit out the year…remember vincent jackson on the chargers?
Tommy Maddox
March 2nd, 2012
1:01 pm
We could probably get a gang of picks out of the deal.
Kane337
March 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
The Talker
March 2nd, 2012
12:35 pm
No negotiations with Matt Ryan…Hmmm, has the eye opening time arrived??
—————————
No.
Ryan has 2 years left on his deal. It takes 2 to tango. Falcons want to re-up now since his stock is low with 0 playoff wins. I guarantee you Matt Ryan’s camp wants to hold off another year, maybe win a playoff game or two, and then re-sign a much larger deal.
jbo
March 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
Sitting out the year does’nt sound very profitable,his is after all 29 or 30.
Kane337
March 2nd, 2012
1:05 pm
jbo
March 2nd, 2012
12:59 pm
what happens if he does not sign
—————————————————–
It will be called a holdout.
NewYork1
March 2nd, 2012
1:14 pm
Let him hold out,heck let the entire team holdout,then you losers will have a reason to whine.GO GIANTS
NewYork1
March 2nd, 2012
1:15 pm
We got a ring and all you got was WHINE
T
March 2nd, 2012
1:19 pm
So the Falcons take a chance on Grimes Early in his career and develop you out of WHERE Shiple(who) College. Now you do not want 10 million. I like Grimes game a LOT! Great skillz. But everytime he jumps up and steals/Knocks the ball away I CRINGE when he hits the ground. Big money and long contract a BIG gamble… In my opinion.
Chop Buster
March 2nd, 2012
1:19 pm
@PreyDawg…Learn to read and comprehend. How is “I’d just like to see how Grimes plays man and press coverage when called upon to do so. He is a light weight and is a liability in my opinion.” saying that he constantly gets beat in man and press coverage? I believe someone else said that genius. Sorry I’m not all over Grimes’ NUTZ like some of you. Again, he’s NOT all of that.
Atlanta Falcons: Grimes will not sign franchise tag | NFL Online News
March 2nd, 2012
1:25 pm
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged Atlanta, Falcons, franchise, Grimes, sign. Bookmark the permalink. ← Report: Ravens to franchise Rice (Yahoo! Sports) [...]
Nique
March 2nd, 2012
1:25 pm
we should let Grimes walk, bring Carlos Rodgers or one of the other top cbs who can play bump & runin for that kind of money
Mikey
March 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
I like Grimes. I like his attitude, his coverage and his athleticism. He is still getting better every year and is one of the top defensive players on the team. I don’t mind seeing him get his payday, especially since the Falcons would most likely be weakened at that position without him.
That being said, I would also like to see much more fierce and unpredictable penetration out of our front 7. Our dependence on an elite secondary would certainly be reduced if they were more effective. I’m watching these changes with great interest. I see a lot of talent on this team and think the coaching adjustments will make a big difference with virutally the same players.
cwltank
March 2nd, 2012
1:34 pm
It was a no brainer to franchise Grimes. Therefore he is forced to play & if he choose not to sign, he want play this year. Basically, if a team want him long term they must convince him to sign with the Falcons, so he can be traded. Which will benefit us with drft picks, a win win situation, why not get something instaed of nothing. In addition, Grimes would shine in the slot CB postion & if not he is only on the books for a year. However, that situation is nothing compared to the importance of signing Mario Williams. If we can cut Babs & Ovie we wouldhave enough to sign him. Babs is undersized and Peters is better & younger.
Cavey2009
March 2nd, 2012
1:41 pm
Honestly i would rather see grimes be left out and draft a player like brandon boykin taller and faster and could be a great fit on the other side of weems on KR or PR… but again not my decision… I like Abe but unless we get another good DE on his opposite side he is gonna be ok at best… i wanna see the falcons pick up J peppers.. or give Bear Woods a shot the man is a best
Cavey2009
March 2nd, 2012
1:42 pm
ok scratch that last part bear woods is now a CFL
CrαZy
March 2nd, 2012
1:53 pm
Don’t like this!!!
Saint Hater
March 2nd, 2012
2:10 pm
Y’all Grimes haters are nuts! Someine said he can’t cover big guys like Green or Johnson, but I actuially watched the Lions game last year. They don’t call him Optimus Grimes because he loves Kia, ok. This isn’t fantasy football where every team is stacked with all the big name guys. We have an established CB who is one fo the best in a Tampa 2 style and hasn’t really been tested in press coverage. HOpefully Grimey will get his head out of his butt and sign the tender, they can still work toward a longer term deal and the goodwqill would repay him in spades. We’ll see.
Why Brent Grimes not signing his franchise tag is good for the Falcons | Falcons Focus – Atlanta Falcons Blog, Opinion and Analysis
March 2nd, 2012
2:15 pm
[...] I go on, here’s the full quote from Grimes’ agent, courtesy of the [...]
Who Me?
March 2nd, 2012
2:15 pm
It’s Dogra just trying to stick his finger in Dimitroff’s eye with AB. He knows/thinks he can get more $$$’s by stiff-arming the franchise tag. This will play out between now and Monday and Grimes will stay here.
True Falcon Fan
March 2nd, 2012
2:23 pm
Oh “wondrous ONE de wizard of OZ” only you would know, Is this the sign, franchise tag on Grimme – is this the first sign of “Falcons implosion” comOn-with-it he/she it genius??? Please we are all waiting to hear your message – explain your wondrous wakin’ words of wisdom. Yoy DRIP – you’ve got ALL the answers right
You find that pawn shop yet in Canton, Ga
Just Looking
March 2nd, 2012
2:25 pm
I wonder about the condition of Grimes knee. A 5ft8 CB can’t have a lingering knee issue.
Cornerback Smurf
March 2nd, 2012
2:27 pm
This is UNBELIEVABLE!! This management regime is starting to smell like the days of old. I can think of 10 million better players to spend money on than the Cornerback Smurf Grimes!! I’m almost ready to burn all my Falcons gear, memorabilia, etc….
Quick, can someone tell me the last player personnel move the Falcons made that makes sense (or at least agreeable to 3/4 of the fan base)??
True Falcon Fan
March 2nd, 2012
2:34 pm
2:27 so i’m guess you are of that percentage that don’t attend “SOLD HOME GAMES” in these past seasons —- Moron! And that would mean your comment means squat!
Tell it like it is
March 2nd, 2012
2:34 pm
Falcons don’t need to give Grimes that kind of money,hes to small to play corner in the NFL.with teams going for bigger and faster receivers,let him walk,give walls and franks a chance.and spend that money were its need’ed.i like his effort,but hes just to small.and teams like the giants for example can’t wait to get on the field with someone like grimes
Die Hard Falcon
March 2nd, 2012
2:36 pm
I am hoping that they’re doing this franchise tag in order to trade him, I don’t want 10Mill in Grimes, that’s 1/3 of the cap space we had for 17 guys (and hoping to sign either Nicks or super Mario), this just doesn’t make sense to me at this point. I really hope they trade him for a 2nd rd pick or something and get the cap back, Super Mario would drastically improve our D, the Dline gets pressure, all the secondary look like superstars, much easier to cover for 2 seconds than 10.
Go Falcons!
Tell it like it is
March 2nd, 2012
2:38 pm
I seen Grimes in person,and he an’t no 5-8,hes more like 5-4 or 5-5.
Fred Macmurray
March 2nd, 2012
2:41 pm
Wizard of Oz,,, that can only be one person,,, our old pal JSS,,,
coleski
March 2nd, 2012
2:42 pm
Good player, not great.
Fred Macmurray
March 2nd, 2012
2:45 pm
10 Million is a lot for a Smurf. We need Linemen,, O and D.
Cornerback Smurf
March 2nd, 2012
2:49 pm
@ True Falcon Fan – First of all, learn how to speak/type when you address an adult. Secondly, yes, I am apart of the group that does not attend Falcon home games….mostly because I live in California. So, before you go on the attack like some internet gangster, think first about who the Moron really is.
My opinion of Grimes stands. My opinion of the Falcons management remains the same. For further clarification on that, I acknowledge they have lifted the franchise to another level (at least in the regular season). I just question if anyone can really agree on who the last impactful acquisition was. Maybe you’re having the same problem since your post was void of any reasonable response given the child-like response.
Lastly, for the record, I can see the same Falcons you may or may not see in person at the home games on any of my 50+ inch HD TV’s the same as you do….maybe even better.
Gwinnett Fred
March 2nd, 2012
2:52 pm
What’s depressing is the amount of time, effort and money JUST TO GET US BACK TO WHERE WE WERE AT THE END OF THE SEASON!
It’s obvious that the Falcons are not a serious Super Bowl contender with the roster of 2011, so after we lose some of those guys, anybody really think with the lack of a #1 pick and not much cap space we can improve?
Color me skeptical!
JSS
March 2nd, 2012
2:54 pm
All that name calling and you still don’t get that Grimes wins even by losing time in a holdout? The Falcons did not tie him up in an extension before he hit his contract year, they rolled the dice, and they came up snake eyes. When someone like Standford Routts (he’s not a top 15 corner) signs the deal, then they let other teams set the floor for what the mark
will
March 2nd, 2012
2:54 pm
My grandmother has better cover skills than Grimes. Please let him go. The Packers and everyone else hope you keep him. He is a great asset to opposing QBs. A rookie corner will serve you better.
Cornerback Smurf
March 2nd, 2012
2:55 pm
dealing with the True Falcon Moron, I almost forgot to acknowledge Fred McMurray for the “My Three Sons” best comment about the smurf….lol
Sam
March 2nd, 2012
3:00 pm
So what happens if he doesn’t sign?
Tell it like it is
March 2nd, 2012
3:02 pm
If this year is any indacation of the Falcons previous moves in the past,we will sign all of our free agents,and be no better than we were,and maybe even worst.And then the coach and gm will get fired,and we’ll do it allover again.its the Falcons way!
robertussen
March 2nd, 2012
3:04 pm
grimes is worth every penny, he’s the best cb we’ve had since sanders
bird in hand
March 2nd, 2012
3:05 pm
sign it you greedy runt
JSS
March 2nd, 2012
3:06 pm
For what the market will be the position… Do you even understand the parameters (or the consequences) of what is implied when you get hit with the “franchise tag?” You are by default in essence calling that player one of the “top five” players at that position. And if that is the rational for one season, then they deserve in essence to be paid top 5 money long term… That is the NFL, deal with it or keep making a fool of yourself… Go look at the closing title on Chapplle Show, ain’t scared of you one bit!
come home Champ B.
March 2nd, 2012
3:08 pm
The whole league is hurting for DB’s if this is the “best”….good, adequate, yes. Superstar DB? No
JSS
March 2nd, 2012
3:13 pm
Look, Grimes was a bargain for a long, long, long time… Now like your typical interest only mortgage has just met its balloon payment scenario!
True Falcon Fan
March 2nd, 2012
3:14 pm
Cornerback Smurf
March 2nd, 2012
2:27 pm
This is UNBELIEVABLE!! This management regime is starting to smell like the days of old. I can think of 10 million better players to spend money on than the Cornerback Smurf Grimes!! I’m almost ready to burn all my Falcons gear, memorabilia, etc….
Quick, can someone tell me the last player personnel move the Falcons made that makes sense (or at least agreeable to 3/4 of the fan base)??
Just a copy paste for you to read you own BS A-gain —- my point and probably now knowing you are not even a Falcon fan, why would you waste your time, this blog is for Atlanta Falcon fans! By i have a bigger screen than you “teeniebopper” plus i may have the best seats in the doom, i’m satisfied too.
Do us all a favor please stay in California – moron!
LOL
True Falcon Fan
March 2nd, 2012
3:15 pm
3:13 i concur!
Old Boy
March 2nd, 2012
3:19 pm
Why is Grimes not signing the tag? Does his agent think he can get more money on the open market? I love Grimes, but I don’t see too many teams lining up to make him the highest paid DB in the league.
Fred Macmurray
March 2nd, 2012
3:23 pm
Cant blame the little fellow,, he’s not getting any younger and like you said JSS he has been a bargain. Time to pay the Fiddler or move on….. personally i dont think he’s worth that kind of money,, it would be better spent on some stud linemen….
Old Boy
March 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
Grimes has that ‘every man’ appeal because he is a midget from a no-name school who has proven he can hang with the big boys. He is a great corner, but a big part of his star stature is based upon his ‘David in a land of Goliaths’ appeal. If he gets caught up in a prolonged contract dispute, he will lose a lot of that appeal.