The Minnesota Vikings went into this offseason widely believed to be in need of some safety help across from Harrison Smith. Veteran safety Michael Griffin appears to be in the mix to fill that role.
Despite the impressive contract numbers they gave 2015 Andrew Sendejo a few days ago, everyone believed they would seek more outside help via free agency or the NFL Draft. Griffin (age 31) appears to be signing that aims to bring more serious competition to Mankato after the Vikings missed out on blue chip possibility George Iloka.
Griffin played nine seasons with the Titans and has played in 141 games throughout his career. Once one of the league’s premier safeties, Griffin has seemingly regressed in recent years. Whether or not he finds new life in Minnesota remains to be seen, but this signing shouldn’t cause the Vikings to ignore the safety position in the upcoming Draft. Rather, it gives them some flexibility in how to deal with it.
Griffin has 25 career interceptions, 60 defended passes, and 763 tackles on his resume as prepares to compete for a job in Minnesota.
Griffin was released by the Titans a month ago so he is not a true “unrestricted free agent” and will not count against the Vikings in the compensatory pick formula, though they are unlikely to net any compensatory picks from this offseason anyways at the rate they are going.
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Well, I am glad that they nabbed a vet safety. I was truly hoping that they could land Iloka or Weddle, but perhaps Griffen was just mired in the terrible Titans defense.. I am curious to see the opinions of others on this pick up.. Especially since it has been stated the Zim also liked Reggie Nelson.
I'm ok with this signing.While Iloka or Nelson would have been awesome,realistically they may have been a little too expensive for Rick considering that Harry will be getting paid soon.
Now that I have seen the Sendejo contract details (he can be cut after the first year with no dead money) I'm much happier about that situation.
Zim apparently hinted at the combine that drafting a safety was high on his agenda,and these moves so far in FA would lend strength to that theory.
Seems like a Terrence Newman type signing. Not going to make the pro bowl, low risk, moderate reward. Seems like a solid signing.
I remember wanting him when he was drafted. He was off the board by the time we picked. I was pretty bummed out. Instead, even tho we had a pretty damn good running back, we picked what every one else said was an injury-prone running back!
I guess you can't go back and edit posts anymore. Sure had my memory banks messed up on that one. I went to look back at the 2007 draft and saw I was wrong about the order. Oh well, I still remember wanting that guy on Draft day. (So what if we got stuck with Adrian Peterson.)
from twitter -
Heard from a few people now that Reggie Nelson wasn't thrilled with original Bengals offer. Reunion seems unlikely at this point
looks like griffin deal not done yet. could vikes sign nelson instead?
Chris Tomasson @christomasson Mar 10
Michael Griffin told me he will fly to Minnesota on Sunday and sign #Vikings deal on Monday. Said he's given his word. So no worries there.