Miami Dolphins re-sign Pro Bowl CB Brent Grimes to 4-year deal, release CB Dimitri Patterson, and sign S Louis Delmas
By Omar Kelly and ESPN
The four-year, $32 million contract, which features $16 million in guaranteed money, means Grimes will continue to work where the family now plans to call home. On Monday the Miami Dolphins and new General Manager Dennis Hickey’s top priority was signing CB Brent Grimes, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, to a multi-year deal. Getting a cap-friendly, multi-year commitment from Grimes provides the franchise roughly $36 million to play with when free agent conversations begin on Saturday.
The Miami Dolphins released veteran cornerback Dimitri Patterson and signed free agent safety Louis Delmas to a one-year contract on Monday.
Delmas’ deal is worth a maximum of $3.5 million, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The release of Patterson will save the Dolphins about $5 million in salary cap space before Tuesday’s start to free agency. Patterson began the 2013 season as a starter but because of injuries played in only six games. He was put on injured reserve in December with a groin injury. The 5-11, 202-pound Delmas, a South Florida native, joins Miami after spending the past five seasons with the Detroit Lions (2009-13).
During the 2013 season Delmas started 15 of 16 games in the Lions secondary and finished the season with 64 tackles, eight passes deflections, three interceptions and two sacks. Over the course of his career he has appeared in 65 games with 64 starts, compiling 331 tackles, six interceptions, five sacks and 24 passes deflections. He was originally selected by Detroit in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft.
Delmas, 26, was released by Detroit with one year remaining on his contract in February, in part due to having a cap number of $6.5 million in 2014.
The Dolphins have 40 roster spots to fill before training camp opens in July.
Miami plans to rebuild the entire offensive line, and the possibility of any returning offensive line starters being re-signed is slim based on the unit’s lackluster performance, and their role in the bullying scandal that sideswiped last year’s 8-8 season.
