PHOENIX: Free-agent cornerback Brent Grimes enjoyed visiting the Browns but left without a contract offer, a league source told the Beacon Journal on Sunday.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the Browns are not announcing when they host free agents.
Coach Rob Chudzinski and defensive coordinator Ray Horton are among the members of the Browns who spent time with Grimes on Saturday. Chudzinski and other key figures of the franchise then took a Saturday night flight to the NFL owners meeting in Phoenix.
Grimes, 29, also visited the Miami Dolphins on Friday, the team announced, and the Atlanta Falcons would reportedly like to re-sign him. However, as Grimes continues to rehabilitate from a torn Achilles tendon, his suitors are still evaluating the situation.
“There is no offer from any team yet,” the source said. “Everyone wants to get a comfort level first.”
The Falcons gave the 5-foot-10, 183-pound Grimes their franchise tag and a one-year, $10.2 million contract that came with it before he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 1 and missed the rest of the 2012 season.
Last month at the NFL Scouting Combine, Falcons coach Mike Smith said Grimes’ rehabilitation was “progressing very well.”
Grimes underwent medical testing during his visit with the Browns. His wife and son joined him for the trip to Northeast Ohio.
“They enjoyed the visit and will discuss it moving forward,” the source said.
Grimes tallied 49 tackles, 14 passes defensed and one interception in 12 games during the 2011 season, when he dealt with an injured knee that required surgery. In 2010, he compiled 87 tackles, 23 passes defensed and five interceptions in 16 games, helping him earn a selection as a Pro Bowl alternate.
If the Browns sign Grimes and he’s able to rebound from a serious injury, he could give them the starting cornerback they need opposite Joe Haden. Cornerback Sheldon Brown started for the Browns during the past three seasons, but he’s a free agent and on his way out the door.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at http://www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/browns.abj.
