Possible Patriots Target: Michael Griffin, Safety from the Texas Longhorns

[maverick4]

With Rodney Harrison aging, Eugene Wilson injury-prone and a possible move to CB, and Hawkins and Sanders still developing, might we invest a draft selection in a big-play safety? Most of us remember Griffin for his clutch endzone interception in the USC-Texas title game. I think there is a good chance this player falls to within our draft range. From the two clips posted below, Griffin seems tough, gritty, and a ballhawk (an understatement). He excels on defense, punt blocks, and as a gunner:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bHzIRmVQ0Qo

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ynFNxQ3b5-U

 

[BradyManny]

With Rodney Harrison aging, Eugene Wilson injury-prone and a possible move to CB, and Hawkins and Sanders still developing, might we invest a draft selection in a big-play safety? Most of us remember Griffin for his clutch endzone interception in the USC-Texas title game. I think there is a good chance this player falls to within our draft range. From the two clips posted below, Griffin seems tough, gritty, and a ballhawk (an understatement). He excels on defense, punt blocks, and as a gunner:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bHzIRmVQ0Qo

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ynFNxQ3b5-U

I don't know enough about Griffin to weigh in, but everything may depend on Asante. There will be a ripple effect in the secondary based on what we do with him, ie, as you mention Wilson moving to CB.

 

[NoCal Patriot]

Another guy that I like is Florida safety Reggie Nelson.He is a tackling machine and someone The Pats should look at.He is also a good cover guy with very good speed.

 

[BelichickFan]

Griffin is definitely a possible pick. Landry and Nelson are expected to go before our pick. Which leaves Griffin and Merriweather as the top guys. Unfortunately Merriweather has some character issues - otherwise I'd be on him faster than . . . well I'll leave that up to your imatination.

As you said, Griffin is a viable Harrison replacement and also a pro bowl quality ST player. I wish he were a little bigger, though, at 6'0", 195 he's 25 pounds smaller than Rodney. He makes up for it in speed but I'd love to get a 225 pound thumper back there.

 

[BelichickFan]

Another guy that I like is Florida safety Reggie Nelson.He is a tackling machine and someone The Pats should look at.He is also a good cover guy with very good speed.

I love Nelson but early indications are that he's gone 5-10 picks before we're up. A lot can change between now and draft day though.

 

[ATippett56]

As you said, Griffin is a viable Harrison replacement and also a pro bowl quality ST player. I wish he were a little bigger, though, at 6'0", 195 he's 25 pounds smaller than Rodney. He makes up for it in speed but I'd love to get a 225 pound thumper back there.

The selection of Michael Griffin would be for the starting free safety position. Artrell Hawkins is slow as molasses in the defensive secondary and a serious upgrade is needed at free safety.

 

[BelichickFan]

The selection of Michael Griffin would be for the starting free safety position. Artrell Hawkins is slow as molasses in the defensive secondary and a serious upgrade is needed at free safety.

Honestly I'm having trouble differentiating these days. Looking at the ht/wt of the SS listed by NFL Draft Scout (including Griffin) I wonder where the old time slow, big SS have gone and why they bother separating SS and FS now.

 

[ATippett56]

Honestly I'm having trouble differentiating these days. Looking at the ht/wt of the SS listed by NFL Draft Scout (including Griffin) I wonder where the old time slow, big SS have gone and why they bother separating SS and FS now.

Name: Michael Griffin
College: Texas Number: 27
Height: 6-0 Weight: 195
Position: SS Pos2: FS
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2007
40 Time: 4.48 40 Low: 4.45 40 High: 4.53
Projected Round: 1-2 Stock:
Rated number 1 out of 119 SS's

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.

 

[b72s]

Look At Pats Mock from Draft king- SWEET!!!!!

2007 NFL Mock Draft
1. Oakland Raiders - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
2. Detroit Lions - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
3. Cleveland Browns * - Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers * - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
5. Arizona Cardinals - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
6. Washington Redskins - Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
7. Minnesota Vikings - Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
8. Houston Texans - LaRon Landry, FS, LSU
9. Miami Dolphins - Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
10. Atlanta Falcons - Reggie Nelson, DB, Florida
11. San Francisco 49ers - Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
12. Buffalo Bills - Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
13. St. Louis Rams - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
14. Carolina Panthers - Levi Brown, OT, Penn St.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Lawrence Timmons, OLB, Florida St.
16. Green Bay Packers - Michael Bush, RB, Louisville
17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Quentin Moses, DE/OLB, Georgia
18. Cincinnati Bengals - Quinn Pit****, DT, Ohio St.
19. Tennessee Titans - Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno St.
20. New York Giants - Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
21. Denver Broncos - Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
22. Dallas Cowboys - Justin Blalock, OG/OT, Texas
23. Kansas City Chiefs - DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler, DT, NC State
24. New England Patriots (via Seattle) - Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn St.
25. New Orleans Saints - LaMarr Woodley, DE/OLB, Michigan
26. New York Jets - Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
27. Philadelphia Eagles - Ted Ginn, Jr., WR, Ohio St.
28. New England Patriots - Michael Griffin, S, Texas
29. Baltimore Ravens - Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn
30. San Diego Chargers - Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina
31. Indianapolis Colts - Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss
32. Chicago Bears - Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan

 

[ATippett56]

Re: Look At Pats Mock from Draft king- SWEET!!!!!

2007 NFL Mock Draft
24. New England Patriots (via Seattle) - Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn St.

24. New England Patriots (via Seattle) - Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss

 

[BelichickFan]

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.

Yeah, they have him listed under the SS though. Take a look at the ht/wt for the SS there isn't a single one over 205 unless they also have a few extra inches of height. Rodney is listed at 6'0", 225 - no-one like that to be found.

 

[NoCal Patriot]

I saw Patrick Willis last night during The Senior Bowl practice.He's built like a fire plug.He has good lateral movement and a 34 inch vertical jump which is not bad for a guy his size.

 

[ATippett56]

Yeah, they have him listed under the SS though. Take a look at the ht/wt for the SS there isn't a single one over 205 unless they also have a few extra inches of height. Rodney is listed at 6'0", 225 - no-one like that to be found.

If the Patriots draft Michael Griffin with the 28th selection overall, the Patriots safeties for the 2007 NFL season could consist of the following:

SS
Rodney Harrison
James Sanders
Mel Mitchell or Tebucky Jones

FS
Michael Griffin
Willie Andrews

Eugene Wilson could be moved to cornerback as a backup to Ellis Hobbs and Asante "Mister Franchise Tag" Samuel.

 

[ATippett56]

I saw Patrick Willis last night during The Senior Bowl practice.He's built like a fire plug.He has good lateral movement and a 34 inch vertical jump which is not bad for a guy his size.

Patrick Willis ....... the next Ted Johnson for the New England Patriots.

 

[BelichickFan]

Did you guys see enough in Sanders to be the long term replacement for Rodney ? It's tough to watch Safeties on TV but he didn't show up in the play nearly as much as I'm used to from #37.

 

[makoute]

He had a good game in San Diego.

 

[The_Dragon]

Did you guys see enough in Sanders to be the long term replacement for Rodney ? It's tough to watch Safeties on TV but he didn't show up in the play nearly as much as I'm used to from #37.

BF I'm a novice with regards to most of the intricacies of safety play. I couldn't comment on Sanders coverage or if he takes the proper angles on pass coverage or not. I would say that the more I saw of Sanders this year the more he impressed me. Specifically in the Tennessee, Jets and Chargers games. Didn't he have a great goal line stop on Addai/Rhodes against the Colts also?

As I said that's not really detailed be he did impress in many aspects off the game for me.

 

[Oswlek]

Did you guys see enough in Sanders to be the long term replacement for Rodney ? It's tough to watch Safeties on TV but he didn't show up in the play nearly as much as I'm used to from #37.

Rodney is a special player. It is no indictment on a guy that he doesn't show up as much as Rodney does. One of Rodney's talents is his ability to decipher the play and get himself into proper position quickly. Because of this, NE can scheme with him to allow him to make even more plays than he might otherwise. Bob Sanders is also very good at this which is why Indy is not afraid of having him in the box all game.

With that in mind, the question becomes

1) What does Sanders need to do in order to raise his play to a near-Rodney level?

or

2) What other position needs to be improved to "cover up" that deficiency?

 

[ATippett56]

Did you guys see enough in Sanders to be the long term replacement for Rodney ? It's tough to watch Safeties on TV but he didn't show up in the play nearly as much as I'm used to from #37.

Since Rodney's agent stated that Rodney Harrison will be back for the 2007 NFL season, I would worry more about his replacement in 2008 rather than 2007.

 

[everlong]

Griffin has been compared to Roy Williams of the Cowboys. He'll make some big plays and can hit but his coverage skills can be a liability. I'd rather have Landry or Nelson. I think there's a good chance Griffin slides into round 2 and we could grab him there if we don't draft a Safety in the first round.