:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10788261/129357471.0.jpg)
The Miami Dolphins filled another hole on their roster this weekend, signing cornerback Brent Grimes. The former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowler comes to Miami on a one-year, $5.5 million contract. While the move does not completely answer all the questions around Miami's secondary, it does give the team an upgrade over Nolan Carroll, who presumably held the starting position before the Grimes signing.
Grimes comes to Miami after missing nearly the entire 2012 season for Atlanta. He tore his Achilles tendon in the opening weekend, and was placed on injured reserve soon after. Now, if healthy, Grimes looks to return to form.
To get an idea of exactly what Miami fans should expect when Grimes takes the field, I turned to SB Nation's The Falcoholic, and managing editor Dave Choate, for an insider look:
When he's healthy, Brent Grimes is one of the NFL's premier cornerbacks. Don't let his lack of size fool you, because Grimes has the athleticism and ups to hang with much taller receivers. He takes good angles to the ball, excels in coverage and has an intuitive understanding of how to jump routes. Drew Brees was his favorite.
The problem is that we don't know if Grimes is healthy. He has that Achilles injury and is now 30 years old, and if that athleticism is gone, he's going to have to use all the considerable football smarts he has to make up for it. The Falcons simply weren't willing to pay $5.5 million or anywhere near it for someone who is, at this moment, a question mark.
If he's healthy, you've got someone who should be an excellent starter outside. If he's not, things are dicier.
Let's hope Grimes really is healthy. Thanks to Choate for taking the time to give us a look at Grimes.