Minnesota Vikings: Michael Griffin Could Reignite Career
At the “auspicious” age of 31, the newly-acquired strong safety of the Minnesota Vikings, Michael Griffin, may not need a career revival in his new home. But anyone who knows Mike Zimmer knows a few tweaks to any new defensive back entering his system will be in the works.
Not in a bad way mind you, Michael Griffin has been a stalwart in the Tennessee Titans’ defensive backfield for nine years. Hos work included 25 interceptions, seven sacks, and 12 forced fumbles; and two Pro Bowl selections thus far in his career.
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A season after being franchise tagged in 2011, the Titans rewarded their safety with a five-year $35 million dollar deal, finishing out that deal with back to back 100-plus tackle seasons.
Why release such a prolific player in your defensive backfield, and a vital veteran leader in a locker room full of an abundance of players still growing and learning on the job? It may not make much sense, but to some front offices players seem expendable. And in Griffin’s case, it may have been that the final year on his deal just wasn’t worth the return.
Per Pro Football Focus, Griffin was rated the 176th safety out of 188 ranked in the league, clearly becoming a liability on the back-end with many curious to if the Texas Longhorn has lost a step.
In the Minnesota Vikings’ eyes, one team’s trash is another team’s treasure as they swooped in on the opportunity to add a proven leader into their secondary.
The Minnesota Vikings before the days of Mike Zimmer would’ve shied away from the seasoning on Griffin’s career. don’t call this a comeback yet, but Zimmer sure does like to bring the young back out of his wily vets, refer to Newman if you need an example.
Apparently, 31 is the new 20 in Minnesota. Many key players on the Vikings roster have reached the age of 30. Cornerback Terence Newman is the oldest, but guys like Adrian Peterson, Brian Robison, Chad Greenway, and Phil Loadholt are all players that have seen extensive playing time for the Vikings.
A new defensive scheme, and an old friend in defensive backs coach Jerry Gray (the Titans defensive coordinator from 2011-13), may be just what Griffin needs to find himself again in his new home.
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Michael Griffin may not exactly be the means to an end of the search for the Minnesota Vikings in terms of the strong safety position, but he is certainly a credible competitor with much to prove in this coming season. The positional battle will play out in camp come this summer, just don’t be surprised to see Griffin atop the depth chart as the Vikings enter the preseason.