Falcons: Branch to Brent--Let's Chill.

[sonnyjim]

Long term contract talks for Brent Grimes stalled as he is now wears the franchise tag and will be a free agent after this season. On one level I am sad a guy who played his heart out for us can't bank a big guarantee but it was a good call. One of two things happened:

1) TD is behind the curve with the FMBCW (fan message board conventional wisdom) that Brent is entirely too short to play in the bigs.

2) TD realises that Brent is not too short because of his amazing ball skills combined with his outstanding vertical leap. At the end of the season Brent suffered a knee injury. He came back ahead of schedule because, loyal guy theat he is, he was needed. Sadly, after coming back he failed to demonstrate his freakish ability to jump.

If he can elevate in 2012 like he elevated in Octoger 2011 He will be worth top five CB money for at least 2 guaranteed years and then some. I hope he can. But is he can others will have noticed and it will cost us to keep him. I hope we pay the price even though it will be an admission that the Branch was too shy.

[sonnyjim]

To be a little more specific, I remember a couple of post injury plays where he went up for the typical Brent Grimes two handed leaping interception and came up short. Had he broken up the pass with one hand it would have demonstrated mad skills and maybe he needs to move more in that direction.

[AUTiger7222]

I still don't understand what happened with the Giants game. The the Falcons training staff say Grimes was healthy enough that he could have played in the game but Grimes choose not to? I'm not a Grimes hater but it does raise eyebrows.

[FireDawg85]

(07-17-2012 01:28 AM)AUTiger7222 Wrote:  I still don't understand what happened with the Giants game. The the Falcons training staff say Grimes was healthy enough that he could have played in the game but Grimes choose not to? I'm not a Grimes hater but it does raise eyebrows.

Say what you want... but I truly believe that's the reason he didn't get a new contract. He's got one year to prove himself and by that.... not declare yourself unable to play when trained professionals say you are

[AUTiger7222]

(07-18-2012 10:59 AM)FireDawg85 Wrote:  Say what you want... but I truly believe that's the reason he didn't get a new contract. He's got one year to prove himself and by that.... not declare yourself unable to play when trained professionals say you are

I agree. I remember listening to the Falcons pre-game show on the radio and Steak and the guys were stunned when they read off the inactives.

[DemBirds]

Grimes not playing probably hurt him big time in getting a long term deal with the Falcons. Hopefully not but if he could play and didn't, then I wouldn't be that sad to see him go.