The Atlanta Falcons have announced cornerback Brent Grimes has signed his franchise tender, and not a moment too soon. Earlier in the day, word leaked to Adam Schefter that Atlanta was in the market for Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel. Whether they actually were or were only looking to apply some pressure to Grimes remains to be seen.
Grimes had planned to skip voluntary workouts while hoping for a long-term deal, but it appears both sides have worked it out. His signing continues Atlanta's apparent plan to make minor adjustments in personnel while focusing on scheme overhauls as they try to make it past the first round of the playoffs.
Since going undrafted out of Shippensburg in 2006, Grimes has made a Pro Bowl and emerged as one of the Falcons' best players. He forms a strong tandem with safety William Moore that may be the answer for half of Atlanta's secondary for quite a while.
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