Atlanta Falcons free agent CB Brent Grimes

[KDPPatsfan85]

Speculation: Patriots a possible destination for CB Grimes?

Per Rotoworld...

ESPN's AFC East writer James Walker mentions free agent CB Brent Grimes as an option for the Patriots.

Grimes is expected to seek out a one-year, prove-it deal in free agency after tearing his Achilles' in Week 1 last season, and Walker suggests Grimes as a cheap alternative to fellow free agent Aqib Talib. Falcons coach Mike Smith recently said Grimes' rehab is going "outstanding."

Another source which talks about it...

Additional free-agent options for Patriots - AFC East Blog - ESPN

 

[supafly]

Re: Speculation: Patriots a possible destination for CB Grimes?

I think you just stumbled on an article that suggested some various options to replace Talib. James Walker from ESPN has never been known to have many (if any) real inside sources, so he's just speculating about the possibility, which you mention in the thread title.

All of the current CB rankings have Grimes listed as the #1 free agent CB on the market right now. If he's really looking for a one-yr 'prove it' deal, then I would imagine that his own team would be more than happy to oblige that request in an instant.

If Grimes came with the right price we'd all be very interested, but that's a big "IF." It's also a possibility that he never makes it out of ATL. If he does than he's either wanting something that is too expensive, or they know more about his Achilles injury/surgery than they're letting on.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Speculation: Patriots a possible destination for CB Grimes?

I think you just stumbled on an article that suggested some various options to replace Talib. James Walker from ESPN has never been known to have many (if any) real inside sources, so he's just speculating about the possibility, which you mention in the thread title.

All of the current CB rankings have Grimes listed as the #1 free agent CB on the market right now. If he's really looking for a one-yr 'prove it' deal, then I would imagine that his own team would be more than happy to oblige that request in an instant.

If Grimes came with the right price we'd all be very interested, but that's a big "IF." It's also a possibility that he never makes it out of ATL. If he does than he's either wanting something that is too expensive, or they know more about his Achilles injury/surgery than they're letting on.

The Falcons would have to do some capdancing. Jason has them as currently just a little bit more than $2 million under the cap.

 

[supafly]

Re: Speculation: Patriots a possible destination for CB Grimes?

The Falcons would have to do some capdancing. Jason has them as currently just a little bit more than $2 million under the cap.

The heavy rumor in league circles and media sources is that the release of Michael Turner is just about a done deal, and is expected any day now.

That frees up an additional 7 million in room, which would then make it close to 10 million under the salary cap. I would assume that they'll be trying harder to tie up safety William Moore though if it comes down to it.

Still, I am assuming that they aren't done yet and would certainly open to a one year prove it deal (if that's really the case) with Brent Grimes.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

If we drop Talib. I think we should really take a good look at grimes. Come cheap with that injury last year. if he didn't have that injury..he would be getting a big pay day this FA.

I always liked him even in ATL

 

[EwanSellars]

definitely interesting i wonder what his price will be with his injury personally id rather resign talib but grimes would be good also

 

[ausbacker]

What's the fascination with comes cheap? If you want quality more often than not it doesn't come cheap.

 

[Marqui]

#1 corner is not really the position I want to cheap out on.

 

[supafly]

I'm not really sure what the OP's definition of "comes cheap" is, but Grimes would be seeking a payday of 10 million + per year had he not been injured last season.

He is still the #1 CB rated in free agency by every single publication that I've seen.

I don't really see how Brent Grimes will be any cheaper than Talib since they both offer some level of concern to GM's, arguably more from Talib.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

What's the fascination with comes cheap? If you want quality more often than not it doesn't come cheap.

he won't get 10 mill a year coming off a torn achiliies...by then he would come cheap becasue no one will pay him that off that injury. Pats arn't going to get quality in the CB department this year unless they tag talib within 10 or so hours

He would demand much much more had he not been injured..thus coming "cheaper".

Grimes is more of a risk due to his injury which in some cased is major and can change a player forever

 

[supafly]

#1 corner is not really the position I want to cheap out on.

It all depends on whether or not Belichick keeps his patten of not wanting to overpay for CBs or not. It certainly hasn't been something that he has done in the past, with the one exception of signing Asante to the franchise tag in the 2007 season.

I highly doubt that we suddenly go out and sign a 10 million+ per year CB, so he will most likely be continuing to look for value.

I'm expecting someone in the 7 million dollar aav range and/or a high draft pick.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

i expect talib to be gone..so that leaves a big void and BB doesn't pay for CBs. he finds value which in some cases comes with ****ty CB play

 

[supafly]

He would demand much much more had he not been injured..thus coming "cheaper".

Grimes is more of a risk due to his injury which in some cased is major and can change a player forever

I would expect Grimes to still get something in the 7 million range personally, especially if he wishes to sign a one-year deal with ATL to stay there as was reported.

He still believes he can secure a top payday, but it'll have to wait until next offseason, if that ends up playing out that way.

I agree that he will be cheaper, but it's hard to imagine him signing a longer term 3-4 yr deal with anyone else (as either side would want to do that), and in that case I'm assuming that ATL would prefer to do everything in their power to keep him, especially after parting with Robinson.

I wouldn't mind if Belichick took a shot on him, but I'm guessing that due to his specific situation he stays with Atlanta for another year or two.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

no team will give him a multi year deal due to that injury. He needs a prove it contract first which is where we can get in on the action if talib is gone...otherwise the CB crew could be just as ****ty this up coming year unless for a trade

 

[supafly]

i expect talib to be gone..so that leaves a big void and BB doesn't pay for CBs. he finds value which in some cases comes with ****ty CB play

Yeah, that's the trade off unfortunately, but it's also a gamble to overpay and not get the kind of production you're expecting. Our best hope is probably to sign someone in that middle tier range as far as CBs go, and also to add a higher draft pick. You'd be surprised what shoring up most of the positions in the secondary can hide when other pieces fall together, so I don't think we need anything spectacular back there, and I honestly don't think we saw anything spectacular from Talib's 50% playing time besides a few batted down balls.

Keep in mind that we still got to the last few minutes of winning the SB last season with Antwaan Molden, Patrick Chung, Sterling Moore, and James Ihedigbo all seeing lots of playing time in the NYG loss. Those weaknesses were hidden somewhat by the solid play of McCourty at safety + Arrington in the slot (where he held Cruz to 4 catches for 24 yds with bracketed help).

Someone to replace Talib's body, a draft pick, and a couple of vet additions for competition and we should be fine, especially if we improve on the other safety spot. Improving the overall depth will go a long way towards fielding a better secondary.

I think we saw Belichick make a move out of desparation last season when Dowling got hurt and he had to trade a 4th rd pick in the middle of the season because the lack of depth was so evident, so I'd expect him to slightly overpay this time around if that's what he felt was needed.

 

[Leemo]

Keep in mind that we still got to the last few minutes of winning the SB last season with Antwaan Molden, Patrick Chung, Sterling Moore, and James Ihedigbo all seeing lots of playing time in the NYG loss. Those weaknesses were hidden somewhat by the solid play of McCourty at safety + Arrington in the slot (where he held Cruz to 4 catches for 24 yds with bracketed help).

Defense still wins championships....

We can't seal the deal with this piss poor defense, you can have the most amazing offense in the league but if you cannot stop the other guys then theres always a chance you will lose. I'm personally of the belief that we should go all out on defense both in FA and in the draft. Yeah we need to re-sign Wes and Edelman or get a few more bodies in but I think alot on this board expect us to blow our cap all on offense which just isn't going to help as much as investing/reloading the defense. I'd hope we maybe draft a WR at the right point in the draft but not double or even triple barreling as some suggest.

Defense all the way, plenty of DB's, a DT, a DE, another LB who can cover.... then we can bring home the super bowl.

 

[supafly]

Defense still wins championships....

We can't seal the deal with this piss poor defense, you can have the most amazing offense in the league but if you cannot stop the other guys then theres always a chance you will lose. I'm personally of the belief that we should go all out on defense both in FA and in the draft. Yeah we need to re-sign Wes and Edelman or get a few more bodies in but I think alot on this board expect us to blow our cap all on offense which just isn't going to help as much as investing/reloading the defense. I'd hope we maybe draft a WR at the right point in the draft but not double or even triple barreling as some suggest.

Defense all the way, plenty of DB's, a DT, a DE, another LB who can cover.... then we can bring home the super bowl.

I'm with you, Leemo, I just think that we're making too big of a deal about the loss of Talib (if it happens). I pointed out the secondary that held the opponents to 10, 20, and 19 in the playoff run last season which should have ended in a championship. That's what can be done with proper scheming and better safety play. It doesn't necessarily have to be a top tier all star lineup with a great CB1.

There's more than one way to skin a cat, and Bill Belichick's been doing it for a long, long time. I don't believe we lost the SB due to one specific reason. I believe that unfortunately, the NYG had all the luck in the world for a second time again.

I'd love to see the majority of money spent on defense. I just don't think any will be spent on a 10 million dollar+ CB. I think the best we can hope for is someone in that middle range for CBs of 7 million or so. I think in Belichick's mind, that is a very significant signing. Add in a couple/few more vets to add depth and a high draft pick like Desmond Trufant, and we're talking about being in pretty good shape...especially if Dowling can stay healthy for more than 6 lousy games and/or the safety position is improved.

 

[supafly]

I think there are 2 players that are key to our success, one on each side of the ball. Welker on offense, and Arrington on defense. I would like to see those 2 signings happen and then add the kind of pieces to the defense that we need, whether that be an additional pass rushing presence, a middle tier CB to replace Talib, a band-aid safety like Reed or Woodosn, and an added interior presence on the line...or hopefully all of the above.

That's how I would like to personally see the money spent.

I think a CB depth chart that looked like this could go a very, very long way and be cost efficient:

Dennard
DRC/Asomugah/Grimes/Talib (all players in that 7 million or so range)
Dowling
D.Trufant in the draft
Arrington in the slot
Vet signing for depth/competition

A safety chart could possibly be:

McCourty
Reed/Woodson/or a high draft pick like Elam
Wilson
Gregory
Vet signing for depth/competition



I don't think we'll see higher money spent at both positions, so you'd have to pick which one you liked more, but that would allow us a pretty solid secondary with the addition of a 6-7 million dollar player.

 

[strngplyr]

Honestly, i'd rather take the heavy pass rush approach. Get CB's worthy of the name, decent cover/rangey safeties to prevent the big play and pay for pass rush off the front 4. Coverage isn't as vital when the QB (especially the QB's in our division) don't have time. Our offense will always win a shootout, we're a team that relies on the opponent making a mistake, receivers will eventually get open even against the best coverage wtih time, force quick throws with pressure and atheletic DBs will make plays.

Having a household name CB is nice and all but i'd rather pay top dollar for a pair of pass rushers.

Receivers are only expected to make a few plays a game, hit the QB and you'll mess him up for the entire time.

 

[DarrylS]

The defensive backfield has been somewhat of a revolving door for a few years now, at one time there was a trend to just pick up some JAG's and assume that they could play that position. At one time this year our d backfield had less than 5 years total experience..

We saw for part of last year, what might have been when everyone was healthy.. but that was short lived. What this team needs is leadership, consistency and ability to play the position. How it is interpreted is key, whether it be Asomogah(sp), Talib or Grimes you need a solid corner and then then a leader playing safety... but whatever the answer it is not a yearly adjustment, you need some consistency.

Until then, this conversation will be going on ad infinitum as it already has..