"Spielman said Griffen is expected to see time as a pass rushing outside linebacker this season as well as a defensive end. This is a good move by the coaching staff as Griffen racked up eight sacks last year despite starting just one game. This is great news for the talented fourth-year player who could possibly be the next Demarcus Ware or Aldon Smith, two talented pass rushers who can play multiple positions." -Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Everyone in the Viking organization seems to think very highly of Everson Griffen. Jared Allen has mentioned countless time how athlete he thinks Griffen is and he will have a chance to prove it this year getting snaps at outside line backer as well as defensive end. The article mentioned two huge names in Demarcus ware and Aldon Smith that can play both positions extremely well. What a great addition it would be to the viking defence, and the future of the D-line if Everson bloomed into our version of Demarcus Ware or Aldon Smith, Just the thought of it brings tears to offences eyes.
“I remember my mistakes more than my success.” - Adrian Peterson
Yeah... We've read something like this at the beginning of each of the past two seasons. As with a couple of other athletic players that they've had recently who might have been used more creatively, I'm not convinced that the Vikings' staff is intelligent enough to know how to maximize Griffen's talents. We'll see.
Eli wrote:Yeah... We've read something like this at the beginning of each of the past two seasons. As with a couple of other athletic players that they've had recently who might have been used more creatively, I'm not convinced that the Vikings' staff is intelligent enough to know how to maximize Griffen's talents. We'll see.
They tried that experiment last season and made the decision he's better suited on the line (he looked kind of lost out there at 'backer). I wouldn't mind situational attempts, but it's pretty clear by this point he's better on the defensive line, especially with the sudden depth issue with Williams injured and Ballard AWOL. I like the combination of Allen, Floyd, Griffen, Robison in obvious passing downs. Plus, he's listed at 273 lbs. right now. I'm not sure he'd be the best pass-rush option from the OLB position, especially when Bishop has historically been competent in that aspect. He out-weighs all of our linebackers by 20-40 pounds. Not that he can't move, we know he's pretty quick. I just feel more comfortable with him in his natural position, being disruptive that way.
“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” --- Bill Shankly
dead_poet wrote:Plus, he's listed at 273 lbs. right now. I'm not sure he'd be the best pass-rush option from the OLB position, especially when Bishop has historically been competent in that aspect. He out-weighs all of our linebackers by 20-40 pounds. Not that he can't move, we know he's pretty quick. I just feel more comfortable with him in his natural position, being disruptive that way.
Exactly. Would they pull Bishop off the field to put in Griffen and then _always_ blitz him? I'm not sure what it really implies, but I do know that Griffen isn't well-suited to play OLB in this 4-3.
Mothman wrote:If they were going to rush him from an LB position, my guess is they'd use a specialized 3-4 alignment or something.
Correct, somewhere in the article is does say the Vikings only want to work him into LB snaps in special alignments that grantee him rushing. I think its the best way to use him cause mentioned before he's a bit big of a guy to be covering at around 270.
“I remember my mistakes more than my success.” - Adrian Peterson
