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

[ATippett56]

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.

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]

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.

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]

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.

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]

That is pure bull.

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.

 

[ATippett56]

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.

Here is another scouting report on Michael Griffin:

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/s/michaelgriffin.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.

 

[maverick4]

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.

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.

 

[BelichickFan]

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.

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]

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.

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?

 

[PatsSox363804]

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

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

This is the pick I want as well. From what I've read not only is he a beast on the field (in the SEC no less) but he is heavily involved in community service and seems like he has a real Patriot character.

 

[everlong]

They had nothing on Griffin at the Senior Bowl. The only Texas player they had an update on

Texas DE Tim Crowder is quietly having a strong week. Against the run on Wednesday, he played with good leverage, flashed the ability to shed blocks quickly and was relentless in pursuit. During one-on-one pass protection drills, he showed a quick first step and a strong rip move against Arkansas OT Tony Ugoh.

 

[holyredeemer]

Here is another scouting report on Michael Griffin:

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/s/michaelgriffin.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...

When I first heard Michael Griffins name, he was a promising young CB with great coverage skills. Not to mention excellent Ball skills. Due to the need of depth at the position, Griffin went to safety for the longhorns and his play hasnt dropped at all. He's a very consistient, well rounded, and versatile player. But the most important thing to me, Griffin is a ballhawk and a playmaker, and we can always use those types here in N.E.

I know the odds of this happening are unlikely but I would love our first three picks to look like this.

1a. Paul Posluzny.---Great intangibles. Can play ILB or OLB in the 3-4.
1b. Patrick Willis.---Good Character. Productive. Plugger in the middle.
2. Michael Griffin.---Playmaker. Ballhawk. Tackling machine.

However, in order to pull off Griffin in the second like that, we would definately have to trade up. Which I am fine with. With those 3 picks, we would get three defensive players who all fit our style of play. Guys not too fast, not too strong. Guys who are just productive yr. in and yr. out. None of them have character issues, which is a plus. They are younger and faster than most guys in their respective positions on the pats. A struggler for me though is the rise of Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU. If I add him to this list, who would you drop from the first two?

 

[ATippett56]

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.

If Andrews is unable to play free safety, then Eugene Wilson can backup a Michael Griffin, if the Patriots would be so fortunate to select him. Unless Eugene Wilson can regain his form of 2003-2004, I don't expect Geno to be on the roster for the 2008 NFL season when his contract expires.

 

[PatsSox363804]

I know the odds of this happening are unlikely but I would love our first three picks to look like this.

1a. Paul Posluzny.---Great intangibles. Can play ILB or OLB in the 3-4.
1b. Patrick Willis.---Good Character. Productive. Plugger in the middle.
2. Michael Griffin.---Playmaker. Ballhawk. Tackling machine.

However, in order to pull off Griffin in the second like that, we would definately have to trade up.

If we Franchise and trade Asante we could pull a high second (most likely), this isn't the scenario I want but I love the look of those three picks, we would just have to either sign a CB in free agency or move Wilson back to corner (more likely.)

 

[ATippett56]

I know the odds of this happening are unlikely but I would love our first three picks to look like this.

1a. Paul Posluzny.---Great intangibles. Can play ILB or OLB in the 3-4.
1b. Patrick Willis.---Good Character. Productive. Plugger in the middle.
2. Michael Griffin.---Playmaker. Ballhawk. Tackling machine.

However, in order to pull off Griffin in the second like that, we would definately have to trade up. Which I am fine with. With those 3 picks, we would get three defensive players who all fit our style of play. Guys not too fast, not too strong. Guys who are just productive yr. in and yr. out. None of them have character issues, which is a plus. They are younger and faster than most guys in their respective positions on the pats. A struggler for me though is the rise of Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU. If I add him to this list, who would you drop from the first two?

First, I seriously doubt that Michael Griffin would fall to the New England Patriots in the second round. Personally, I would prefer the following 2007 NFL Draft Day One route:

24th Overall: Patrick Willis, LB from Mississippi
28th Overall: Michael Griffin, FS from Texas
60th Overall: David Harris, LB from Michigan
92nd Overall: Fred Bennett, CB from South Carolina or David Irons, CB from Auburn

 

[holyredeemer]

If we Franchise and trade Asante we could pull a high second (most likely), this isn't the scenario I want but I love the look of those three picks, we would just have to either sign a CB in free agency or move Wilson back to corner (more likely.)

I believe we could move higher in the 2nd round without moving asante at all. We are so loaded with picks, it really wouldnt take much to move up. I dont have the trade value chart with me, but I believe we would probably have to give up our 2nd and a 3rd or 4th? Just guessing. But as far as samuel goes, I would love to see him back without handicapping the team financially. But, if he wants to go , franchise his ass and get something for all your hard work and investment into the player. If a trade with asante did occur, we could possibly be sitting on either 3 first round draft picks or 2 2's. As my man Borat likes to say. "Very Niiiiice."

 

[ATippett56]

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

This is the pick I want as well. From what I've read not only is he a beast on the field (in the SEC no less) but he is heavily involved in community service and seems like he has a real Patriot character.

Patrick Willis is more a stack and shed defender than Posluszny. In my opinion, Posluszny is better suited as an outside linebacker in the 4-3 defense rather than an inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense.

 

[holyredeemer]

First, I seriously doubt that Michael Griffin would fall to the New England Patriots in the second round. Personally, I would prefer the following 2007 NFL Draft Day One route:

24th Overall: Patrick Willis, LB from Mississippi
28th Overall: Michael Griffin, FS from Texas
60th Overall: David Harris, LB from Michigan
92nd Overall: Fred Bennett, CB from South Carolina or David Irons, CB from Auburn

I said we would have to trade up to get griffin in the 2nd rd. The odds of him dropping to the high second aren't unrealistic. But who knows, everyones lists will be changing atleast 20 times by draft day, due to the combine, pro workout days, and all the player hype. One guy many think wont even be a first rd. pick, easily turns out to be a top 20 every yr.
I like your picks, except for the David Harris pick. He was good, but not very impressive. To me atleast. Not to mention that he is as slow as molasses. I think he runs the 40 in 4.7 and has even been timed near 4.8. That is slooooow.

 

[ATippett56]

I like your picks, except for the David Harris pick. He was good, but not very impressive. To me atleast. Not to mention that he is as slow as molasses. I think he runs the 40 in 4.7 and has even been timed near 4.8. That is slooooow.

Here is a second day sleeper that the WEEI Big Show crew could be promoting ....................

Name: Zak DeOssie (+) Coming off Injury
College: Brown Number: 38
Height: 6-4 Weight: 245
Position: ILB Pos2: OLB/DE
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2007
40 Time: 4.62 40 Low: 4.55 40 High: 4.67
Projected Round: 5-6 Stock:
Rated number 9 out of 91 ILB's 181 / 2334 TOTAL

Personal
Zachary Robert DeOssie, born May 24, 1984...Son of Steve and Dianna DeOssie...Father, Steve, played in the NFL with Dallas, the New York Giants, the New York Jets, and the Patriots...Has two sisters, Christina and Nichole...Enjoys skiing and hanging out with friends...A Public Policy concentrator.