As CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora had been reporting, former Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes was expected to land a contract with the Dolphins. Now, that has happened.
La Canfora writes that Grimes will sign a one-year deal worth $5.5 million ($3 million guaranteed). Though Cleveland also had interest in Grimes, La Canfora reports the Browns weren't willing to go that high because of his injury past. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport was the first to report the contract numbers.
You might have expected a player of Grimes’ caliber -- he was a Pro Bowler in 2010 -- to land a multi-year deal. But remember, he also missed most of last season with a torn Achilles tendon and it’s unclear if he’s truly healthy.
But the Dolphins needed to upgrade their secondary after trading Vontae Davis before the beginning of the 2012 season and losing Sean Smith to free agency. The top two cornerbacks returning to Miami were Richard Marshall (who is coming off back surgery) and Nolan Carroll (the 67th-ranked cornerback from last season according to Pro Football Focus).
“We are happy that we have reached an agreement with Brent,” general manager Jeff Ireland said in a statement. “He will be a great addition to the secondary both on the field and in the meeting room.”
“I think we're going to have a good nucleus with a good defense,” coach Joe Philbin said recently, via
Grimes, with his 13 career interceptions, should help in that area.
Grimes also joins an impressive Dolphins free-agent class that includes receiver Mike Wallace, tight end Dustin Keller, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, linebacker Philip Wheeler and receiver Brandon Gibson.
