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
Ron the Man
March 2nd, 2012
3:31 pm
Brent Grimes is a very gifted athelete and he his play does stack up with the best corners in the league. All fans must know by now that TD does not make these decisions without huge input on what if we don;t spend the 10.2 million. Will some other team pay Brent that kind of money? The answer must have come back that many teams would pay him that much or more if he was the top rated corner in free agency. I love his humility and the total effort he gives on the field, and how he has progressed to be able to cover with the best corners. Good to see him get the payday he deserves. Keep up the good work TD and Smitty. Go Falcons1111
Mike Franklin
March 2nd, 2012
3:31 pm
This really just makes me ill… Grimey just became grimey.
Frankie
March 2nd, 2012
3:32 pm
If he signs the tag, he can not get a long term deal on the open market and in this market it is all abuot guaranteed money..
YOu pay me 10 million this upcoming season, when I can sign a 50 millon deal like D. Hall, and D robinson…with mofe than 25 Milion guaranteed, so if i get hurt next season, I get my 25 millin regardless if i cant play or not. the 10 million i am not sure if it is guaranteed or not…rules contiinue to be cloudy…
that isjus my 2 cents…
Frankie
March 2nd, 2012
3:35 pm
yeah it is guarantted , but is 10 million enough for him to accept..or 25 million
Don't Overplay Your Hand
March 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
Grimes is delusional if he thinks anyone is going to pay him the kind of money he is looking for when he really has only had 1 good season.
Cornerback Smurf
March 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
@True Falcon Moron – Best seats in the house, huh?? Yeah, sure, more internet gangster jibberish. My TV is better than yours, blah blah blah, who cares?? I guess next thing you know you’ll be stating how your Johnson is the size of the Peachtree Plaza. So again, before you start blabbering about stuff you don’t know about. I was born and raised in the ATL, so no matter where I am in this WORLD (yes, I have not been limited by boundaries of the USA), I am a diehard Atlanta sports franchise fan.
And, for the record, my opinion still stands. Grimes is not worth $10M and the Falcons management hasn’t made any significant moves lately. So why don’t you just do yourself a favor and shut your piehole, MORON!
PMC
March 2nd, 2012
3:59 pm
JSS, that’s a great analogy. Brent Grimes as an adjustable rate mortgage.
unfortunately, the Falcons as home owners, were unable to satisfactorally refinance, or find a new place to live before the rate adjustment.
Augusta bred
March 2nd, 2012
4:00 pm
Ok guys, to say that Grimes is not a top 5 corner in the NFL is just plain crazy! You know why he his interceptions went down last season, because teams found out in 2010 that he will make you pay dearly for trowing his way! He should have been paid then! But they go get D-ROb who got beat repeatedly. Every PAID analyst will point out that GRIMES is one of the best corner’s in the league period! He shut down Megatron for pete sake! Yes he made a great td catch that was covered perfectly but that happens. And yes other teams want Grimes and i hope we keep him!
Don't Overplay Your Hand
March 2nd, 2012
4:09 pm
@Augusta bred. So in your opinion Grimes is better than Revis, Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson, Asomugha, Johnathan Joseph, Leon Hall, Asante Samuel? No he’s not. Not even close. So no he does not deserve to get paid like they do.
True Falcon Fan
March 2nd, 2012
4:14 pm
3:47 —- your id is simple & my guess is very enlightening definition of the writer!
Little people have little minds, little thoughts, little hands & fingers… You jus can’t stand to be NOT heard, you got the final word, i made my point for sure and you bit hook line & sinker.
Good Bye “little papa smurf”!
PMC
March 2nd, 2012
4:37 pm
In fairness Grimes dropped between 3 and 5 interceptions last year. The year before was more exceptional, but the point essentially is that he’s a playmaker for the most part.
13 picks and a boatload of passes defended in the last few years have made him a very desirable player. His size and measurables are the only things that have ever held him back.
PMC
March 2nd, 2012
4:39 pm
He was within a few bad drops from putting up back to back 6 interception seasons and he was thrown at much less last year.
PMC
March 2nd, 2012
4:39 pm
Ultimately this was bungled a bit, because it could have been handled last season.
Tell it like it is
March 2nd, 2012
4:45 pm
If the Falcons give in to Grimes,it means they are not serious about winning a Superbowl.Thier just —p———- in the wind,and i hope it comes back and hits them in the face!
Die Hard Falcon
March 2nd, 2012
4:52 pm
Looks like the aints are getting called out for the cheap, dirty players they are.
falconsrus
March 2nd, 2012
4:52 pm
Saints maintained “Bounty”program in NFL last three years Gotcha seen et al
falconsrus
March 2nd, 2012
4:54 pm
Heads gonna roll in NOLA les et bons temps roullie
G
March 2nd, 2012
5:00 pm
Grimes has made more plays that Matt Ryan. Defense did its part in the playoffs.
Tommy
March 2nd, 2012
5:01 pm
Wish we had waited another 48 hours. . Grimes may not be as important since the Saints are about to get effectively disbanded. Bounty programs are a capital offense in the NFL. No wonder Brees hasn’t signed yet. He knew what was coming and now has an excuse to get out of town.
JSS
March 2nd, 2012
5:18 pm
“Bounties?” And they still couldn’t stop anybody besides Matt Ryan (even that’s been a stretch)! Man, he (Williams) should have tried Mexican Riviera vacations!
WTF???
March 2nd, 2012
5:19 pm
Great tag the shrimp and let Lofton, our defenses QB, go. Why should we expect anything different? I swear the Falcons are cursed. I hope the 5 ft nothin’ doesn’t sign the tender maybe we can trade him for a 6th or 7th rounder because folks thats all he’s worth. He played well in the zone but with Nolan wanting to go to man he’s gonna get torched. Mark my words!
CoachLockDown
March 2nd, 2012
5:30 pm
In a nutshell…He’s a good man/man corner if he’s not up against a big wr, but if the Falcons can’t apply more pressure with 4 man rushes, then it really doesn’t matter who you have back there covering…because you’re gonna have to bring an extra rusher which will means man/man matchups, and Grimes matched up against bigger wr’s is not favorable, he plays best when he can sit in the zone and drive with an excellent trigger for the QB’s delivery key. The Falcons must find more pressure without vacating zones or man coverage because they don’t have the LB’s or Safeties to sustain coverage, and the other corner(D. Robinson) is average at best in man/man.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 2nd, 2012
5:36 pm
Old Boy — Grimes has essentially been year-to-year since coming out. He wants a little security, not another year – make good — deal.
RUDEDAWG
March 2nd, 2012
5:36 pm
This is soooooo funny! Tag lil Grimes,this cat is a 3rd corner at best on any real defense. Let the shrimp go! LOL!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 2nd, 2012
5:37 pm
JSS — Nice analogy on the ballon payment scenario.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 2nd, 2012
5:38 pm
Sam – I think that’s called a holdout!
jbo
March 2nd, 2012
5:42 pm
Let him walk
Delbert D.
March 2nd, 2012
6:07 pm
What’s the salary history of 5′10″ cornerbacks?
bobby
March 2nd, 2012
6:15 pm
GRIMES IS A GOOD CORNERBACK AND I HOPE HE RESIGNS HERE BUT IF HE DOES’NT, WITH THE FRANCHISE TAG THE FALCONS WILL GET SOMETHING FOR HIM.
DC
March 2nd, 2012
6:20 pm
How can any FALCON fans be happy with this terribly UNDER SIZED corner??? These must be the same people happy with DUNTA ROBINSON one of the worst coners we have ever signed behind D HALL!!!!!!! We need a SAFETY (DECOUD IS AWEFUL!), we need OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (You cant get rid of Baker, he still has some life left) and we need a SLOT RECEIVER (If Harry D. doesnt come back go after Hines Ward for a year or two). Terrible decision to have a tag put on Grimes!!!! Just like an even worse decision to pay Dunta as much money as we have for absolutely NO RESULTS!!!
DC
March 2nd, 2012
6:23 pm
The worst interception he dropped was at DETROIT when Stafford lobbed up a fade towards the end zone and the receiver quit on the route leaving GRIMES wide open to catch a floater…. He dropped it!!!! YEAH, GOOD CALL ON THE TAG DIMITRIOFF!!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dirty 4 life
March 2nd, 2012
6:27 pm
You already overpaid for one corner. Spending 10 mil on a corner whos 5′9= not a good move.
AlanFalcon
March 2nd, 2012
6:29 pm
Tree Rollins, the sky is falling.
DEE-ROME
March 2nd, 2012
6:30 pm
I dont know what CB yall been watching over the last couple of years,but I think Grimes is the best corner the Falcons have and he deserves his payday because he has more than out played his rookie contract……ARE YALL FANS OR WHAT….lol
DC
March 2nd, 2012
6:34 pm
Dee Rome come on man! On a solid defense which Atlanta hasnt had in quite sometime Grimes wouldn’t be in the top two or three! This guy is TINY! He can’t tackle, his hands are like bricks, and the only thing he can do well is JUMP! He is not worth 10 MIL!
Cornerback Smurf
March 2nd, 2012
6:39 pm
DLed – please put up a poll asking if Grimes is worth $10M. Yes or No….no maybe’s or anything in between…..PLEASE!!
Go ahead and mark my vote down first as a NO!!
RUSERIOUS
March 2nd, 2012
6:57 pm
$10M…..you have got to be kidding me.
marko
March 2nd, 2012
7:00 pm
Grimes has busted his hump for the NFL version of chump change ( we all wish we were paid in NFL chump change) so lets look at this as back pay. Congrats Grimey.
Greg Mendel
March 2nd, 2012
7:03 pm
Off-topic, but the Big Easy team has been exposed as the Big Sleazy by the NFL. The Saints are about to get sacked bigtime by the Commish.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
March 2nd, 2012
7:15 pm
Slap the lil SPUD WEBB so hard his wife can’t talk for 6 months.
5150 UOAD
March 2nd, 2012
7:17 pm
His mouthy wife makes him only worth 1/3rd of what he thinks he is worth.
A complete Blank
March 2nd, 2012
7:19 pm
6-10… Swept by Carolina and New Orleans… Split home and home with Tampa
Najeh Davenpoop
March 2nd, 2012
7:27 pm
I’d rather play dirty and get a ring than lose every playoff game. Just saying. Maybe the Falcons should put a bounty on scoring more than 2 points in the playoffs.
Day OneFan
March 2nd, 2012
7:27 pm
You guys really need to do the math. The only one paying this bill is A. Blank. F-tag players do not count against the cap.This deal alone frees up 2.5M of cap space. Genious move.
JSS
March 2nd, 2012
7:43 pm
Delbert D.
March 2nd, 2012
6:07 pm
“What’s the salary history of 5′10″ cornerbacks?”
Ask Darrelle Revis… Seriously, he’s small too… He’s just a perfect blend of technique and athletic guile…I mean Bruce Pickens had the perfect CB body. However he had the cover skills and athletic guile a 40 year old version of Bobby Butler…
JSS
March 2nd, 2012
7:50 pm
DayOne…
This is not an “uncapped” year… Re-read your CBA franchise tag paragraphs…
CPat16
March 2nd, 2012
8:44 pm
I don’t know what to make of the tag placed on Grimes. Mayb they see him fit in the “new” defensive schemes under Nolan or just don’t have alot to choose from in the FA pool. I still think D Franks is better suited in the bump-n-run coverage. Let Grimes walk to test free agency & I he can’t find a suitor, he’ll have no choice to sign the franchise tender.
Let Turner go & get draft picks. Give ball to Snelling bc he’s faster, more shifty & plays fire compared to Turner. Make Rodgers ur change of pace back & get anothing “bowling ball” RB in the draft. Use the extra picks from Turner trade to stock up on OL & DL. Let Lofton walk bc he’s not a 3 down backer. Make Dent ur start at MLB & have Wire back him up. Let Abe walk & go get Super Mario to b your stellar DE. Carl Nicks might b available so signing him would b great. All the money we’ll b saving by letting Abe, Lofton & mayb Grimes walk would give us two anchors in Super Mario & Carl Nicks. But what do I know, I’m just an arm chair GM.
rainman
March 2nd, 2012
9:36 pm
1. I hope I can assume that the Falcons have an above average
plan put together by now that incorporates all the major
facets of what our team will look like next year and going
forward (i.e. cap analysis, allocation and cash , filling
holes and weaknesses with quality players , having an
excellent knowledge of All FA’s value on the market and their
value to our team , etc.).
2. Grimes is a tough situation – and a risk either way. I hate
to lose him for no return and I agree that he is not worth
over 10 mil. for one season. However, CB is a weakness of
ours and it could be worth wasting 4 mil. over his value to
solidify that position wile Nolan gets a handle on the D.
If I had a vote on Mario Williams for 10 or Grimes for 10, I
would take Mario. But the question is what is Grimes worth
for a 4 year deal or Williams for a 5 year deal? I am
uncomfortable with the rumor that Grimes could have played
in the playoff game & didn’t want to risk his big payday.
3. Abe is likely gone. I just can’t see the Falcons paying him
what he thinks he is worth, or even what some other team
would probably offer him. Love ya Abe, and am sorry those
sorry refs didn’t call it more when you would constantly
have to deal with all those ‘choke holds’.
4. Lofton and Harry Douglas are players that make our team
better, but I’m just not sure how much we should spend on
them. I sure hope TD knows!
5. Last comment — with our limited draft, I hope and pray that
Arthur and TD will spend the max. available and make the best
talent evaluations possible regarding the free agency
aquisitions that this team must make in order to contend.
Loserville USA
March 2nd, 2012
9:56 pm
GREAT – $10 million to see Jimmy Graham further embarrass the guy.
Great athlete — great story — too much money.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 2nd, 2012
10:54 pm
Cornerback Smurf — Good idea. I will try to explain both sides in a coming blog. Have to get the help desk guys to fix my poll setting thingy.