ATippett56

That is pure bull.

Michael Griffin Analysis

Positives: Well developed overall musculature. Impressive overall athleticism. Plays strong safety here, but athleticism, size and recognition appear better suited to free safety role at the next level. Reads the action quickly. Rarely out of position against the pass. Can cover ground quickly, showing pure speed and a quick hip swivel. Can plant and drive on the ball. Effective tackler in space. Understands his role as one of the last lines of defense and takes proper angles to the ball. Rare leaping ability as shown in his UT record eight blocked punts. Good hands to make the interception. Uses his size and leaping ability well to compete for the ball.

Negatives: Despite his gaudy statistics and prototype size, Griffin isn't the classic run supporting in-the-box safety. Flashes as a striker, but doesn't punish receivers across the middle. Considered reliable, but not an intimidator. Plays strong safety here, but seems much better suited to free safety at next level due to his strength being pass defense, weakness being against the run. Might lack the versatility some teams are looking for in a safety.

As a matter of fact, he is the exact opposite of Roy Williams.

01/23/07 - Senior Bowl South Team Tuesday Practice Report: Texas' Michael Griffin and Miami's Brandon Meriweather might be two of the more underrated pass defenders in the draft with all of the attention being heaped upon LSU's LaRon Landry and Florida junior Reggie Nelson. Each aggressively supported the run and proved to be dependable open field tacklers. Most impressively, however, was the instincts and overall athleticism shown by each in pass defense. The South's quarterbacks rarely challenged defenders with deep passes mostly due to the blanketing coverage applied deep by these two safeties. Griffin, in particular, stood out in early interception drills, showing not only great leaping ability but the ability to almost hover in the air for a split second while he snatched passes at their highest point.

ajmitch81

With the news on Rodney it could mean the Pats forego a Safety early and maybe take a shot at a guy like Eric Weddle or someone like that... Allowing them to go LB/CB/WR early -- Plus I like James Sanders and I thought he was solid in Harrison's stead. Too bad they played pass on that 3rd down play in Indy... I can't blame them though - I was 99% sure it was pass as well.

ATippett56

The New England Patriots do not need another strong safety on the roster. The following strong safeties, currently on the New England Patriots roster, are signed thru the 2007 NFL season:

Rodney Harrison
James Sanders
Mel Mitchell
Tebucky Jones

everlong

I guess it depends on which online scouting you believe. I went and read 5 different ones after your post and none of them are the same. Most of them have him as SS not FS however and that is certainly more of an area of need IMO.

__________________
"When Peyton Manning was a kid he used to go to bed at night and dream about throwing the winning touchdown for the Saints in the Superbowl. And on Sunday he did."

There's only two conclusions for Patriots fans on rookies. They are either a bust or being fitted for their bust in Canton.


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ATippett56

Here is another scouting report on Michael Griffin:

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sco...elgriffin.html

Exceptional in coverage and has fluid hips...A playmaker with good leaping ability and ball skills...Motor is always running...Productive and has a lot of experience against top competition...Intangibles are top-notch...

everlong

From scouts inc (espn's scouting service)

Weaknesses: Lacks elite size, doesn't have great lower body strength and is vulnerable to getting engulfed when lines up in the box. While doesn't get caught out of position much, lacks the second gear to recover when does make a mistake and is vulnerable to getting beat when matching up with slot receivers. Though durability isn't a substantial concern, has been slowed by injuries at times.

We can do it all day and neither of us has really seen him enough to be an expert.

__________________
"When Peyton Manning was a kid he used to go to bed at night and dream about throwing the winning touchdown for the Saints in the Superbowl. And on Sunday he did."

There's only two conclusions for Patriots fans on rookies. They are either a bust or being fitted for their bust in Canton.


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maverick4

I completely disagree. Griffin's pass coverage skills are excellent and he is a true ballhawk; it is his run coverage skill that may be in question due to his height/weight.

He would be more like Ed Reed than Roy Williams.

everlong

If you guys are right and he's more of an Ed Reed type I'm all for it. From my early draft reading Nelson was the guy compared to Reed more often and Landry was considered the best guy who could play SS or FS.

__________________
"When Peyton Manning was a kid he used to go to bed at night and dream about throwing the winning touchdown for the Saints in the Superbowl. And on Sunday he did."

There's only two conclusions for Patriots fans on rookies. They are either a bust or being fitted for their bust in Canton.


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BelichickFan

If Belichick thinks Wilson can play CB at a NFL average or better level, I like this option other than I have no idea if Andrews can be a viable backup. I have my doubts that they still see Wilson as a CB or I think they'd have moved him earlier but maybe they just liked having that range and flexibility at Safety.

ATippett56

That is the exact opposite of Roy Williams, whose strength is the proverbial in-the-box run stuffer. Where is Scouts, Inc. reports from the Senior Bowl practices?