Could Mike Griffin be the best "S" fit for NE?

[sebman2112]

I still like Merriweather myself but I realize that Griffin's ST play will push him up a lot in Belichick's mind.

Yourself, Remix, and I seem to be on the same wave length with a lot of these guys. I like Meriweather too, and have since day one. I don't talk about him much anymore because everytime I do someone jumps down my throat saying "NE will never pick that thug!". Basically he is the Safety I wan't after Landry, and I hope they pick him. I am not saying I think they will, but if they do I'll jump for joy, lol. I don't really mind Griffin either. The only problem I have with him is inconsistancy. One game Griffin will look awsome, and the next he will look "blah". I don't see how anyone could call him soft, though (Fan on ESPN board). I also wish Buster Davis wasn't so small because I love his game. I watched him a lot these past few years, and he has been one of my favorite defensive players. If only he could grow three inches...

 

[cstjohn17]

Yourself, Remix, and I seem to be on the same wave length with a lot of these guys. I like Meriweather too, and have since day one. I don't talk about him much anymore because everytime I do someone jumps down my throat saying "NE will never pick that thug!". Basically he is the Safety I wan't after Landry, and I hope they pick him. I am not saying I think they will, but if they do I'll jump for joy, lol. I don't really mind Griffin either. The only problem I have with him is inconsistancy. One game Griffin will look awsome, and the next he will look "blah". I don't see how anyone could call him soft, though (Fan on ESPN board). I also wish Buster Davis wasn't so small because I love his game. I watched him a lot these past few years, and he has been one of my favorite defensive players. If only he could grow three inches...

Merriweather is interesting, in theory he could play as the 5th CB and the 2nd FS in year 1. Kinda of a 2:1.

Luckily we are above the "3 inch" jokes

 

[everlong]

One of the guys on NFL Network's path to the draft tonight while going over the Texas Pro Day said that Griffin is being compared to Lawyer Milloy. That was the first time I had heard that comparision and I don't really see it. Outside of them both being heavy hitters I'm not sure where they are coming from.

 

[Mogamedogz]

Griffin is the guy for NE @ 1.24. Im telling you guys. Feel good if we draft him. He can step right in our secondary and contribute right away. Proto-typical BB guy.

 

[Seneschal2]

Considering Revis and Willis are both gone by the time we pick, could Griffin be the BPA on the pats board??

No, he probably won't be the BPA @ 24, but ought to be considered @ 28.

1) Griffin is currently ranked in the early part of round two or as a late first by the majority. Any prospect in that range fits as a # 28 option for the Pats.

2) Along with a few other positions, Safety will be a strong position to fill somewhere on day one, simply because of the obvious need, and of the amount of interest shown by the Pats -- 6 Safeties have been linked to the Pats. The fact that we don't have a 2nd-rounder means our Safety options are at #24, #28, and round 3. We could wait until R4 -- but do we really want to wait that long (unless we draft two)?

3) Landry will be gone by #24, leaving Nelson as a possibility in that slot, with Merriweather and Griffin as potential targets at #28. Another Safety prospect to consider next is Eric Weddle. #28 seems rather early for him, but remember -- we don't have a 2nd-rounder and he fits as a Pats-type player. Doubt he makes it to our 3rd pick.

4) Griffin just had a terrific Pro Day. IMO, his workout solidifies his late first value. He improved on his Combine numbers by running between 4.39 and 4.41. Also improved his vertical jump to 39 1/2" from 36".

IMO, Griffin does have some flaws in his game, as all of the Safeties do. But his production, versatility, athleticism, ST ability, all warrant him as a clear #28 option.

 

[usmcmgb]

Although I would prefer Nelson, I wouldn't cry if we got Griffin. He's a 200 pounder who hits like he's 220. I like the line "he hits like it's personal". Give him a year learning with Rodney and we'd be set for 5 or 6 years.

 

[Mogamedogz]

1) Griffin is currently ranked in the early part of round two or as a late first by the majority. Any prospect in that range fits as a # 28 option for the Pats.

Ranked BY WHO in the 2nd round?? lol- Are you serious?? You think Griffin will be drafted in the second round?? That is absurd. Second Round??

Landry will be gone by #24, leaving Nelson as a possibility in that slot, .

Dude..im not trying to knock your draft knowledge. But I HAVE to question it, if you are entertaining the idea that Reggie Nelson will be there @ 1.24.

To me, anyone who REALLY believes that there is a chance of that happening, has not done their draft homework. (No offense).

The bottom line is, unless we take Griffin @ 24, we can kiss him goodbye. He will not be there @28. Philly will take him.

We will have to take Merri-Thug, who has MAJOR character flaws (and IMO is not nearly as good a tackler as Griffin), not to mention Griff has "Exceptional" special team skills. OR... Eric Weddle, who is WAYYY over-hyped. Particularly by Mel Kiper.

For saftey we basically have these options...

a. Trade up to go after Nelson (not likely)

b. Take Griffin @ 24

C. Take Merri-Thug or Weddle @ 28

 

[midwestpatsfan]

I keep going back and forth on Griffin. Sometimes I see him always in the mix, hitting people and making plays while at other times I see him give the old 'OLE and miss tackles badly. I just am not sure what one he is.

 

[SamBamsFan]

I keep going back and forth on Griffin. Sometimes I see him always in the mix, hitting people and making plays while at other times I see him give the old 'OLE and miss tackles badly. I just am not sure what one he is.

I agree. I think his draft stock was inflated @ the begining of the year. Now he seems to be settling into 38-49 overall, which I think is just about right.

 

[SamBamsFan]

Ranked BY WHO in the 2nd round?? lol- Are you serious?? You think Griffin will be drafted in the second round?? That is absurd. Second Round??



Dude..im not trying to knock your draft knowledge. But I HAVE to question it, if you are entertaining the idea that Reggie Nelson will be there @ 1.24.

To me, anyone who REALLY believes that there is a chance of that happening, has not done their draft homework. (No offense).

The bottom line is, unless we take Griffin @ 24, we can kiss him goodbye. He will not be there @28. Philly will take him.

We will have to take Merri-Thug, who has MAJOR character flaws (and IMO is not nearly as good a tackler as Griffin), not to mention Griff has "Exceptional" special team skills. OR... Eric Weddle, who is WAYYY over-hyped. Particularly by Mel Kiper.

For saftey we basically have these options...

a. Trade up to go after Nelson (not likely)

b. Take Griffin @ 24

C. Take Merri-Thug or Weddle @ 28

I think you should learn to be more polite to Mr Seneschal, he has proved to me over the last month that he does his research. I don't know where you get off taking on another poster like that w/ o backing it up w/ any facts. If you have any questions about ratings, you can go into this thread:
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=49875&page=5
W/ the more recent postings being the more up to date. Currently, Griffin sits between 29-48. That would be a second rounder in my view.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Think about our system for a minute. It is assignment specific, very disciplined and extremely complex.

Landry is smart, fast, discplined and very athletic. He has played in a system very similar for a few years at LSU. With his abundance of natural talent, ideally he would be perfect to come in and start from day 1.

Nelson is fast, athletic and a playmaker in the Florida defense, where he had freedom to roam with absolutely no assignments other than get to the ball. Scouts have repeatedly questioned his ability to learn a complex defense. Given the huge learning curve, I would prefer that Carolina take Nelson and pass on Willis.

Griffin. fast, smart, disciplined and has the size to play in the Patriots split safety defense as either a FS or SS. Yes he is better suited as a FS, but as everyone keeps pointing out the scouts think he can play SS. Tons of big game experience especially on the national level, against some very good competition. Played hurt last year and did a fairly nice job.

Meriweather. fast, athletic, big time thumper. I have serious questions about his ability to learn and function in our complex and disciplined defense. And while he may be the best hitter in this class, he's also a major liability in coverage.

 

[Mogamedogz]

I think you should learn to be more polite to Mr Seneschal, he has proved to me over the last month that he does his research. I don't know where you get off taking on another poster like that w/ o backing it up w/ any facts.

Listen. First... NOWHERE in my post did I come across as NOT polite.. I actually started off by saying that I was "Not trying to knock his draft knowledge". I am simply "questioning it".

Second...just because a thread exists on this site that says Griffin is a second rounder, does not make it true. Actually IMO it is absurd. There are NUMEROUS threads on this site that have Nelson falling to the Patriots @ 1.24!! Am I suppose to put stock in that as a "REALISTIC" possibility too?? Of coarse not...

Any "credible" mock draft site has Griffin going in round one. Which (IMO) he without a doubt go.

I am willing to put my money where my mouth is... I will bet ANYONE here $20.00 (on the honor system that you will pay up), that Mike Griffin will be selected BEFORE 1.28.

Again...I'm not trying to knock the guy. I'm just saying... I have spent countless time analyzing this draft (for my own website), and for someone to even suggest that Reggie Nelson "MIGHT" be there @ 1.24, automatically leads me to assume that the research is just not very thorough.

 

[BelichickFan]

Ranked BY WHO in the 2nd round?? lol- Are you serious?? You think Griffin will be drafted in the second round?? That is absurd. Second Round??

Griffin is a late first/early second guy. Sorry.

 

[Mogamedogz]

Griffin is a late first/early second guy. Sorry.

I got $20 that says he is off the board before 1.28 No doubt in my mind.

 

[BelichickFan]

Also for those who think all these guys will be gone, name the last year there were four Safeties taken in the first round. I looked back at 2000 to 2006 and there were none. Two was typical although there were a few years with three (including last year with Huff, Whitner, Allen).

 

[Mogamedogz]

Also for those who think all these guys will be gone, name the last year there were four Safeties taken in the first round. I looked back at 2000 to 2006 and there were none. Two was typical although there were a few years with three (including last year with Huff, Whitner, Allen).

I dont think that has much to do with anything. It just so happens that there are 4 S's with first round talent this year.

 

[BelichickFan]

I dont think that has much to do with anything.

Sure it does. I'll admit that teams are valuing Safeties a but more recently but Safety isn't a skill position like CB is. It's an easier skill set and easier to find. Simple as that.

The other complication is that it's a deep draft for Safeties. I want a good Safety this year but even with that, I would be tempted to wait until the 3rd round because there still will be good ones there.

Griffin could easily go by #28 . . . but it's far from a certainty.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Griffen could easily drop to the 2nd round.

Whats the big deal with saying that? He's a great tackler but not a great cover man. High 2nd is not a bad deal.

 

[captain stone]

1) Ranked BY WHO in the 2nd round?? lol- Are you serious?? You think Griffin will be drafted in the second round?? That is absurd. Second Round??

2) Dude..im not trying to knock your draft knowledge. But I HAVE to question it, if you are entertaining the idea that Reggie Nelson will be there @ 1.24.
To me, anyone who REALLY believes that there is a chance of that happening, has not done their draft homework. (No offense).

3) For saftey we basically have these options...

a. Trade up to go after Nelson (not likely)

b. Take Griffin @ 24

C. Take Merri-Thug or Weddle @ 28

1) NFLDraftScout has Griffin at #39, as of 3/16.

2) There is a small chance, a very small one, that Nelson will be there at 24.

3)a. If I trade up, it would be to take Revis or Willis, not Nelson.
b. Depends on whether Houston, Ross, Posluszny or Nelson are available.
c. Meriweather may be off my board, and Weddle may not be worth even a 2nd-rounder.

I, too, like Griffin for all the reasons previously stated. I also would consider him, but probably not take him, at 24, unless those mentioned in 3a and 3b are also gone. Hall and Landry are pipe dreams, unfortunately.

 

[sebman2112]

Meriweather. fast, athletic, big time thumper. I have serious questions about his ability to learn and function in our complex and disciplined defense. And while he may be the best hitter in this class, he's also a major liability in coverage.

Since when is Meriweather "a major liability in coverage"?