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
Ichabod
March 2nd, 2012
11:40 pm
Interesting that TD was confident enough with his conversations with agent Dogra to announce the tag. But they forgot to check with the Mrs.
Falcon Fan 24-7
March 3rd, 2012
12:27 am
Where was GrImes when we got beat by the Giants in the Playoffs?
Grimey is injury prone
March 3rd, 2012
12:44 am
I am a season ticket holder, and I do not wish to pick up the tab on this outrageous amount of money.
christophorm
March 3rd, 2012
1:12 am
Nobody on that terrible defense should be Tag geesh.
Michael Turner Babies Mamma
March 3rd, 2012
1:24 am
“This is what’s sad! Here’s Michael turner around Xmas hanging with other people kids but didn’t see his 1 yr [old] daughter. Michael Turner daughter, my cutie.. Let’s pray he decide to see her one day this year. I know people say why tell twitter your problems and I say because it’s my got dang it page and tired of my daughter asking for her dad who haven’t seen her this year and haven’t even called to see how she is. Trifling N**ros!
“I can tell you better than she can. He going around lying about being single and making kids saying he only has 2. I have a daughter that he don’t see. I hate [that] I am in this situation! He said he had only 2 kids I didn’t find out about more until I had her. That’s so sad it pisses me off to see him doing Rooms To Go [commercials] around Xmas and he haven’t seen his own kid. I am always trying to tell him treat your kids right they didn’t ask to be here. I just want him to be a better dad. I use to say that to him how you being phony on these commercials you’re don’t even see your own kids. I was always trying to get him to let them meet but I guess he couldnt keep count on how many he [has]. I asked him why my daughter haven’t met her grandmother because my mother is deceased. This fool said he can’t tell her. I just wanted her to meet his mother but he pretends to his family like the only kids he has is with the Mexican.
That’s why I am hard working, never quit my job, making my own flow so no matter what he do we good. It’s cool I knew his situation he created would soon come to light just didn’t think it would be that kind of drama. I wasn’t going to play with him,once i found out about more kids I had to get her stuff in order. He goes around saying he is single until he create a baby then he run. I think we all just need to pray for him because I clearly think he has a problem.”
No matter what he does, he is still her dad and I try to say good thing. I,have his pic up in her room so she can look back when she is older and just see the good. Thanks to everyone for being positive in this negative situation. We can just all know everything isn’t always what it appears to be. If we want good things to happen we have to do good things right and be there for our kids. Make better choices because Karma is a B.
Ok, let’s run the numbers one more time. We are now up to an alleged 5 baby’s mamas and 7 kids. His contract, 6 years/$ 34million. Remember NFL contracts aren’t guaranteed. Think of T.O. and all his court dates and requests to have child support reduced or restructured. Think Allen Iverson, reportedly broke and hiding money from his ex-WIFE.
Michael "Deadbeat Dad "Turner
March 3rd, 2012
1:29 am
TD, cut Michael Turner and cut your losses.
J-Lo
March 3rd, 2012
2:31 am
I don’t care how he is ranked by these fu’s. Clabo is definitely expandable. The whole OFF line is. The only reason they get ranked in any dimension is Turner. And Turner is on the decline. Time to let all of them go. I love the falcons, and that is why I express these opinions. Go Falcons!
Z-ro
March 3rd, 2012
2:34 am
Enter your comments here
Z-ro
March 3rd, 2012
2:37 am
the fact that we think Brent Grimes is a good corner shows just how weak our secondary is… Brent grimes plays decent man coverage but he gambled and lost alot last year and all his picks come in zone coverage he doesnt just beat a receiver and take the ball away he is and always will be undersized spend that money elsewhere
Grimes franchised by Falcons, but CB not ready to sign | Sports, News, Entertainment, US Legislation
March 3rd, 2012
2:58 am
[...] his agent, Ben Dogra, told the Atlanta Journal Constitution Friday that Grimes is not a lock to sign the [...]
Falcon Fan in Virginia
March 3rd, 2012
6:18 am
Your attention-getting update says Grimes doesn’t plan to sign franchise tag. Not sure about next steps and intent. Not sign and negotiate a long term deal? Not sign and sit out the season? Question has to be what next. Can you work with us here on an answer?
bobz
March 3rd, 2012
6:31 am
omg these grimes haters kill me! people talk about his size look at the game when he played calvin j. look at the game vs the eagles and early games in the season they didnt even through his way. scouts and experts say grimes is a top corner not just are organization.
Soulman
March 3rd, 2012
7:45 am
What happens if he dosn´t sign ?
WalterEgo
March 3rd, 2012
8:38 am
“The way he’s picked up our system”?!?!?! Hello? Mr GM, Didn’t we just hire a defensive coordinator with a new system? A system that doesn’t highlight the zone secondary coverage? I have officially lost confidence in this front office. Too much for Grimes. To much spent on a smallish corner. To much spent at the overall corner positions with too little returned. We have two #2 corners making #1 corner money, one of them franchised. Too many bust draft picks. Ugh.
Nativebird
March 3rd, 2012
9:10 am
Don’t sign Bierman!!! This guy MIGHT make a practice squad on any other team in the NFL. The most over-rated DE in the league. Go back to reality TV Bierman with yout Atlanta – non wife drama….better yet….go start, “Real Housewives of Montana”. But please, do it for some other unsuspecting team.
Mountain Man
March 3rd, 2012
9:29 am
Brent Grimes is a nice athlete. But the fact that we are putting a franchise tag on him shows the lack of depth of our franchise, epically on the defensive side of the ball. He’s a nickel corner on any other team in this league.
jalex49
March 3rd, 2012
9:30 am
Just make good and solid decisions. It’s clear what Mr. Blanks expectation are considering what was said in the interview. I applaud Mr. Blank for his patience and believe that Thomas, Smitty will make prudent and solid decisions that wil lead the team to the next level.
I hope Grimes, Lofton, Abraham , Lofton and others that are solid contributors stay but those that really don’t and those that don’t have the skill set to be competitive with the starters of the top tier teams must go!
Falcon James
March 3rd, 2012
9:30 am
Is Grimes asking to be traded or is he just holding out for more money? He probably want to be paid more than Dunta since he is head over heals better than Dunta.
Saints are dirty
March 3rd, 2012
10:00 am
Man oh man, greed sure has a way of people forgetting where they came from and who took a chance on them.
Sid
March 3rd, 2012
10:21 am
DOL, do we know any level of interest in Grimes with other NFL teams? I assume there are some who would shy away from him because of his size.
Double Zero Eight
March 3rd, 2012
10:44 am
He is not an “elite corner”. He is a good player,
not a great player. It is a business and I don’t
blame Grimes for attempting to get every penny
that he can. It’s up to TD to spend Blank’s money
wisely.
I think Grimes lack of size will will make him
a risk for being injury prone. He is no
“spring chicken”.
If the Falcons do not get a sustainable pass rush,
it’s really not going to matter that much whether
or not he is in the backfield.
Waiting_for_March15
March 3rd, 2012
11:32 am
I heard that franchise tag can be removed whenever team wants it.. May be TD is playing hard ball with Grimes since He wants so much money….
If I remember that 49ers did this one of their player after the draft.. They tagged him and removed the tag after the draft…..it dropped his market right away.
Anyone?
St Simons - we're on Island time
March 3rd, 2012
11:34 am
he’s too small for nickel, and a 6′4 receiver that can jump even a little bit
can catch 10 TDs a game in the corner over his head. He’s a specialty
player, not a feature playa. sorry, but das da trufe.
fred
March 3rd, 2012
11:51 am
Get a reel QB. One that not afraid to get hit,let Ryan go!
Brent Grimes won’t sign franchise tender – Pro Football Zone
March 3rd, 2012
1:17 pm
[...] to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constituion, cornerback Brent Grimes doesn’t plan on signing his franchise [...]
Ichabod
March 3rd, 2012
2:00 pm
Article by Jarrett Bell in USA Today: “In most cases,being a franchise player doesn’t pay like it used to. A new formula for computing the worth of franchise tags in the NFL, revised as part of the collect-ive bargaining agreement struck last summer, is in play for the first time as a Monday deadline looms for teams to designate which player they will keep off the FA market that opens March 13. Under the old formula, the franchise tag tender was based on the average of the top five salaries at a given position. Now the methodology begins with the value of the tags over the last five years and weighs in with a % of the salary cap.
That was illustrated in a practical sense Thurs when the Phil Eagles tagged WR DeSean Jackson with a tender projected at $9.6 M – nearly $2M lower than last year’s wide receiver figure.
It’s a new reason for players to loathe the tag {he writes}.
‘What hasn’t changed is that you’re still trying to get your guys signed to long-term deals to avoid the tag.’ agent Brian Mackler says.”
“Houston Texans linebacker Mario Williams, whose franchise number of $22M would dwarf the LB tender ($8.8M) because the stipulation remains that a tender must pay 120% of a player’s previous salary if it is greater than the franchise number. Williams earned $18.3M in 2011.”
Flo=Ri-Duh
March 3rd, 2012
2:44 pm
Keep Lofton and trade the rest. This is a rebuilding year.
jerry
March 3rd, 2012
4:05 pm
I would prefer to have 2 good pass rushing de’s and 2 average corners than to have 2 average de’s and 2 good corners. Without a pass rush, Grimes will be average. In the NFL, pass rush has got to be the #1 priority.
PlanB
March 3rd, 2012
4:40 pm
I’m confused. I tried reading about franchised players (exclusive & non-exclusive). Can the player not accept the franchise tag for exclusive. Does a team get 2 number 1 picks on a non-exclusive if another team picks the franchised player? How much does a franchised players salery count against the cap?
Whoever knows these things, please explain and anything else about this. Ichabod seemed to know some things.
Do we know if Grimes is exclusive or non?
PlanB
March 3rd, 2012
4:48 pm
I also don’t understand how any of you can’t understand how important good CB’s are to our team who need to put most of our drafts and FA’s on the OL. I don’t see us having a better pass rush than we did last year, maybe without JA55. I hope I’m wrong but not counting on it.
JSS
March 3rd, 2012
5:45 pm
Ichabod…
Look at the percentage of the top 5 CBs over the last five seasons. CB and QB are the two groups that will be higher pct wise regardless of the new CBA… And 2010 was an uncapped season… It one reason why a team like Pittsburgh is jettisoning salaries…
Runner-
March 3rd, 2012
6:12 pm
Who the hell does he think he is?? LET HIM WALK, HE’S NOT EVEN THAT GOOD
Big Ray
March 3rd, 2012
6:49 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.
Heh. Well it seems that strategy only worked once (not against Seattle in 2010 or San Fran in 2011), but after you see the penalties Goodell puts down, you’d be stupid not to think twice about that.
What’s the matter, Atlanta’s best sports franchise got ya down lately?
Vince Doodly
March 3rd, 2012
10:01 pm
Between him and Robinson, thats a lot of money to be spent on an average secondary (at best.) Grimes is good. he is not Great. The falcons way, way overpaid for Dunta. Now they are going to have to give Grimes similar money, which is going to Jack up the rest of the free agent resignings and all of the possible free agents we need at other positions.
JSS
March 3rd, 2012
10:26 pm
@ Big Ray…
You should crack on the Hawks more often, they seem to win then! ;-p
Ichabod
March 4th, 2012
12:00 am
Interesting reading about BountyGate or SaintGate. I hope the Saint bloggers clear it up for us. I see where Brees was given an exclusive tag, meaning he is not free to talk to other teams, but I gather he has not signed it, even at 15M. Things look like they are getting a little unglued in whodat land.
JSS
March 4th, 2012
1:02 am
Ichabod…
Everybody is in the same boat amongst the playoff teams adding Indy because of the ramifications of 2010 uncapped year. The Saints are hoping they get to accept something below 17.5-to-19 (15 is optimum) because get them money to make a real push at Nicks and maybe franchise Colston if Smith renegotiates his deal…
The deal with if the league takes away a pick from them as a second offender has a ramification… I mean, they could be in the shape of the Steelers… Let’s be honest…
will
March 4th, 2012
2:03 am
!st off WTF HE WONT TAKE IT?????????????????
Im tired of this Mario Williams talk, face it people hes more likely to get hurt then abs… In the last 2 abs has missed less games!!! with that being said i think they could let Mr. 5-9 go and pick up a bigger cheaper CB in Brandon Carr I POSTED THIS ON THE BEERMEN POST AND AM SO PISSED THERE WILLING TO GIVE HIM 10MILL THIS SEASON WHICH WILL PRETTY MUCH COST US THE CHEAP AND VERY GOOD PICK UPS IM LISTING WHICH I STUDYED AND ADDED WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT THES GUYS WHERE WORTH AND MADE ONE HELL OF A LIST OF PLAYS THEY COULD HAVE ADDED AND WE WOULD REALLY BE A SUPER BOWL TEAM PLEASE SOMEONE HAVE THE BALLS TO READ THIS AND COMMENT ON MY PICKS AND HOW MY MIND WORKS I NEED FEED BACK IF THERES ANY SMART FANS OUT THERE LOOK THESE PLAYES UP AND TELL ME IM WRONG!!!, 1st Jared Gaither is the best young LT free or maybe you could go a little cheaper and pick up Demetrius Bell bring back lofton or maybe go cheaper with Dan Connor who filled in pretty well for Beason, and if we get rid of one ex SD back why not pick up Mike Tolbert who is a younger and at this point quicker power back then Mr. Baby Momma those are some great and pretty cheap pick us to me.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 4th, 2012
2:33 am
“What’s the matter, Atlanta’s best sports franchise got ya down lately?”
Haha… after beating the best team in the league tonight minus both All-Stars, I’m feeling pretty good about them right now.
E
March 4th, 2012
2:58 am
Not worth that kind of money because he is not a GAME CHANGER. I hope they do not make the same mistake made with Dunta Robinson. I will say it again he is not a GAME CHANGER.
CB Brent Grimes is unhappy with the Atlanta Falcons | The Pigskin Report
March 4th, 2012
3:45 am
[...] he is not happy with the franchise’s move. According to his agent, Ben Dogra, the cornerback does not plan to sign the franchise tag from the Atlanta Falcons. “We have no plans to sign the tag at this time. We [...]
Falco peregrino
March 4th, 2012
8:04 am
The Falcons need him badly.
Saints R.E.A.M.
March 4th, 2012
9:02 am
Grimes is still undersized ….that’s a lot of money for Mighty Mouse.
Wookie Ninja
March 4th, 2012
9:25 am
DAMN!
jenn
March 4th, 2012
11:08 am
Grimes is a great player but I would let him walk. These games the players and agents play are tiring.
FAlcons24
March 4th, 2012
11:16 am
This Brent Grimes debacle is very disturbing. He was an undrafted free agent that Atlanta took a chance on out of Shippenburg. No one get a chance from that school. He turned his nose up at 2.61M last year and now he is not going to sign the franchise tag. Let’s look at this: You are about to turn 29 and an average corner at best. It is hard for you to cover big receivers. You cannot match up man-to-man, because you are getting muscled around, due to size. You are great at the nickel in the slot, because of your jumping ability. Granted you made the pro bowl the year before last as an alternate, due to Aquib Talib being hurt. Last year the same thing with Charles Woodson. I am just trying to figure out what in the world make you think that you are a big time corner in this league. Everyone is comparing you to Dunta Robinson numbers, but that is unfair to Dunta. Brian Van Gorder had D-Rob in a uncomfortable zone defense and never in press man coverage. That is all he played in Houston and that is why he is so physical. He will be much better in Mike Nolan’s system. Brent tested the market last year and no one came kicking down the door. You are not the prototypical corner and stay in your lane and be greatful that Atlanta took a chance on you. Reports indicated that you could have played against the Giants in the playoffs and refused to do so. Why would they sign you to a long term deal after that. Brent go ahead and refuse to sign the franchise tag and sit out until week 10. Dominique Franks and Chris Owens will be much better fits this season anyway. If he does not want to be there or feel he deserves a top corner contract, let him get the hell out of Atlanta. We want players in Atlanta who want to be here. Dimitroff, it is obvious he have other plans. Let him go get beat somewhere else. As soon as he get a big contract and get torched all season long, he will regret not staying in the ATL.
Reggie
March 4th, 2012
11:24 am
If Grimes doesnt want to sign then the Falcons should put the money elsewhere…like on the D line, O line and let Grimes walk right under the door….
Sid
March 4th, 2012
1:19 pm
If he signs with another team we get 2 1st Round draft choices.
JSS
March 4th, 2012
2:16 pm
“No one get a chance from that school. He turned his nose up at 2.61M last year and now he is not going to sign the franchise tag.”
Come on… John Kunz, Grimes, Ron Johnson, and Rob Davis all went to Ship State and played in the NFL… Johnson played for 10 seasons…
Grimes played for NFL chump change while he developing. Stop acting like he was Chris Houston or Owens making high draft money back then. Instead of you guys being thankful that at least one DB develop (when compared to the multitude of DB failures that came through here)… This is the system must people want, prove you can play, then you get paid… I respect that more than the reverse…
tom
March 4th, 2012
4:58 pm
I am hoping for Grimes to be in a different uniform next season. For the GM to say he can cover all receivers big or small I say what games have you been watching. He has been burned by tall receivers more than is acceptable. Don’t waste your money. Let him go.