Brent Grimes

Brent Grimes

Grimes intercepts pass for Hamburg, 2007
No. 21  Miami Dolphins
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Date of birth: July 19, 1983
Place of birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight: 190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school: Philadelphia (PA) Northeast
College: Shippensburg
Undrafted: 2006
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2014
Tackles: 371
Interceptions: 22
Forced fumbles: 2
Pass deflections: 86
Stats at NFL.com

Brent Omar Grimes (born July 19, 1983), is an American football cornerback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Shippensburg University. Prior to playing for the Falcons, he was allocated to the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europa. Following a championship run with the Sea Devils, Grimes would go on to play for Atlanta from 2007 to 2012. In the 2012 regular season, Grimes suffered an Achilles injury, that would eventually be a factor in Atlanta not re-signing him. During the 2013 offseason, Grimes would instead sign with the Miami Dolphins, and go on to have a season that was worthy of some comeback player award consideration. [1] [2][3]

Professional career

2006 Pre-draft

Pre-draft measurables
Ht Wt 40-yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP
5 ft 9¼ in 177 lb 4.57 s 4.25 s 7.13 s 33½ in 10 ft 1 in 4 reps
All results from the 2006 Pro Day [4]

Atlanta Falcons

Allocation to NFL Europa

Grimes was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Shippensburg by the Atlanta Falcons on May 16, 2006.[5] Grimes was waived by the Falcons during training camp due to a groin injury.[5] The Falcons then re-signed Grimes on January 10, 2007, and allocated him to play overseas in NFL Europa.[5] Grimes was shipped around from the Amsterdam Admirals to the Rhein Fire, before settling with and playing for the Hamburg Sea Devils.[6][7] He starred for the Sea Devils, leading the team's defense in World Bowl XV.[6] Grimes and the Sea Devils were victorious in the World Bowl championship, defeating the Frankfurt Galaxy.[8]

Earning a roster spot

Grimes soon found himself on the Falcons active roster in 2007. After primarily spending the 2007 and 2008 seasons as a special teamer, Grimes grinded out an impressive 2009 season, registering 66 tackles and 6 interceptions. During the 2010 season, Grimes earned an NFC Defensive Player of the Week recognition, following a Week 15 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.[9] Grimes logged 3 tackles, 5 passes defended, and 1 interception in the game.[9] Throughout the entire 2010 season, Grimes recorded 87 tackles and 5 interceptions. His 2010 effort was able to draw attention from fans and the rest of the league, earning him a Pro Bowl alternate selection.[10] Grimes then had 2 injury plagued seasons in 2011 and 2012. Grimes would miss the Wild card playoff matchup against the New York Giants, in the playoffs following the 2011 season.[2] In 2012, he missed the entire season after tearing his Achilles in the first game of the season.[11]

Free agency

After the 2012 season, Grimes became a free agent, and the Falcons did not re-sign him.[12] Although some outlets, such as ESPN and NFL.com, reported that re-signing Grimes was a priority for the Falcons, Bleacher Report wrote, "In all honesty, Grimes just isn't going to be the player that he was before. So why should the Falcons pay him like a top-tier corner that he isn't going to be anymore? Why should they waste the money on someone who won't be worth it?"[13][14][15] During free agency, Grimes made visits with the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins.[12][16]

Miami Dolphins

2013 comeback season

Grimes in 2014.

On March 30, 2013, Grimes signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins.[17] During the season, he was seen as a leader to rookie cornerbacks Will Davis and Jamar Taylor.[18] Additionally, Grimes was seen as a key piece of the Miami defense. Bleacher Report referred to Grimes as "Miami's defensive MVP and one of the biggest reasons to be hopeful of better things to come," as well as "the brightest spot for the Dolphins," in 2013.[19] In terms of level of play, Grimes had a resurgent season, recording four interceptions, and was ranked as the second best cornerback by Pro Football Focus, en route to a Pro Bowl berth.[20] His play earned him the #95 ranking on the NFL Top 100 2014 edition.[21][22] Additionally, as he was coming off a 2012 torn Achilles injury, Grimes received consideration for the 2013 AP Comeback Player of the Year Award.[23]

2014

On March 3, 2014, Grimes signed a four-year, $32 million contract ($16 million guaranteed) to return to the Dolphins.[24] In the 2014 season, Grimes continued his level of play from 2013. He earned the AFC Defensive Player of the Week recognition, following the Dolphins' week 9 shutout of the San Diego Chargers, in which Grimes earned 2 interceptions.[25] Despite losing against the Detroit Lions the following week, Grimes recorded a one-handed interception, while covering Calvin Johnson, that was praised by several media outlets.[26][27] As the 2014 season progressed, Grimes was considered to be proving himself to be included in the discussion for the league's best cornerback.[3] On December 23, 2014 Brent Grimes was selected to his second consecutive, and third overall, Pro Bowl.[28]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-dolphins-online-1020-20141019-story.html
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wilson, Ryan (January 8, 2012). "Falcons without CB Brent Grimes against Giants". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Frenz, Erik (November 18, 2014). "Brent Grimes Proving He Belongs in Conversation Among NFL's Best Cornerbacks". Bleacher Report. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Brent Grimes, DS #50 CB, Shippensburg". NFL Draft Scout. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Red Raiders In the National Football League (NFL)". Shippensburg University Athletics. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Preston, Michael (June 23, 2007). "Much-traveled Grimes hoping for shot in NFL". The Inquirer. Philly.com. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  7. ↑ Gotta, Griffin (March 28, 2013). "NFL free agency rumors: Dolphins reportedly 'very much' in the running for Brent Grimes". SB Nation. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  8. ↑ Sandrik, Andy (January 14, 2011). "Former SU football teammates to meet in NFC divisional playoffs". The Sentinel. Cumberlink.com. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Smith, Michael David (December 22, 2010). "Falcons’ Brent Grimes named NFC defensive player of the week". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  10. ↑ Yasinskas, Pat (January 8, 2012). "Falcons' Brent Grimes out vs. Giants". ESPN. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  11. ↑ Alper, Josh (September 10, 2012). "Brent Grimes done for season with Achilles injury". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Gantt, Darin (March 15, 2013). "Brent Grimes visiting Dolphins". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  13. ↑ Yasinskas, Pat (March 4, 2013). "Falcons need to re-sign Brent Grimes". ESPN. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  14. ↑ Harrison, Elliott (March 7, 2013). "NFC South free agency needs: Falcons must retain Brent Grimes". National Football League. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  15. ↑ Carasik, Scott (March 27, 2013). "Atlanta Falcons: Why Letting Long-Time CB Brent Grimes Walk Is the Right Move". Bleacher Report. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  16. ↑ Cabot, Mary Kay (March 17, 2013). "Free agent cornerback Brent Grimes enjoyed visit with Cleveland Browns". Cleveland. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  17. ↑ Kent, Andy (March 30, 2013). "Dolphins Sign CB Brent Grimes". Miami Dolphins. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  18. ↑ Kent, Andy (January 10, 2014). "Brent Grimes: Year In Review". Miami Dolphins. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  19. ↑ Wiggins, Nick (January 27, 2014). "iami Dolphins: Analyzing Brent Grimes' 2013 Pro Bowl Season". Bleacher Report. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  20. ↑ Katzowitz, Josh (February 11, 2014). "Miami CB Brent Grimes: Franchise tag 'is not what anybody wants'". CBS Sports. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  21. ↑ 'Top 100 Players of 2014': Brent Grimes. National Football League. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  22. ↑ Nogle, Kevin (May 10, 2014). "NFL Top 100 Players 2014: Brent Grimes at 95". The Phinsider. SB Nation. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  23. ↑ Wesseling, Chris (February 1, 2014). "Chargers' Philip Rivers is Comeback Player of the Year". National Football League. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  24. ↑ Walker, James (March 3, 2014). "Dolphins re-sign CB Brent Grimes". ESPN. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  25. ↑ Gantt, Darin (November 5, 2014). "Brent Grimes the latest Dolphin to win defensive award". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  26. ↑ Newport, Kyle (November 9, 2014). "Dolphins' Brent Grimes Makes Unbelievable 1-Handed Interception vs. Lions". Bleacher Report. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  27. ↑ Breech, John (November 9, 2014). "Dolphins CB Brent Grimes with unreal one-handed INT vs. Lions". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  28. ↑ Fernandez, Surya (December 23, 2014). "Cameron Wake, Brent Grimes named to Pro Bowl for Dolphins". Fox Sports. Retrieved December 31, 2014.

External links