Pair of articles on Q

[SoCalBronco]

Diminutive back still has giant aspirations
Griffin confident after 'best day' since injury

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
July 8, 2005

ENGLEWOOD - If it truly is better to burn out than fade away, Quentin Griffin as much as anyone seemed headed for disappointment.

The diminutive, jitterbugging running back had his star turns in a Denver Broncos uniform. He was electrifying in a December 2003 game in Indianapolis that earned the team a wild-card playoff berth. He opened 2004 looking every bit the starter he had become with 156 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns and one receiving against the Kansas City Chiefs.


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Then, everything seemingly turned for the worse.

Griffin resembled food left in the microwave: hot for a short time, then quickly forgotten.

A critical fumble in the closing moments against Jacksonville on Sept. 19 began a downward turn in his short pro career. The yards became harder to come by. He hurt his left ankle and lost his starting job to Reuben Droughns while he was out. Reduced to a special-teams contributor, Griffin ended up shredding his right knee on a kickoff return on Monday Night Football in October.

[SoCalBronco]

Griffin never was the talkative type to begin with, but he rarely has been heard from, or talked about, since, except for when coach Mike Shanahan slipped in a few words at the draft in April that the running back needed a second knee surgery.

Tatum Bell and Mike Anderson have been the off-season players du jour in the backfield and widely are considered the favorites for the starting tailback job. Ron Dayne and Maurice Clarett even have garnered headlines because of compelling comeback stories.

Griffin merely rehabilitated for hours upon hours in obscurity.

Thursday, after his second minicamp practice, Griffin almost was unrecognizable, and it was not only because he had not spoken publicly for the past nine months.

Perhaps it was because he is wearing No. 21 for the first time since pee-wee football, something he has wanted to do for years. More likely, it was because he had crossed a major threshold in his comeback, with Broncos trainer Steve Antonopulos calling the practice session "the best he's ever looked" since last season.
Whatever, this was a confident, almost cocky Griffin speaking, and with a clear message, too: Do not count him out just yet.

"I think I can do whatever I want do," he said.

To that end, he believes he can win the starting job, should he keep progressing physically.

"I do," he stated matter-of-factly. "I think that's what counts."

All the negatives that have occurred since the fall created a "roller-coaster ride . . . mentally," for Griffin, but he added, "I think things happen and you're going to get up or you're going to stay down, it depends on what type of person you are. You'll see what I'm made of in a little bit. I'm either going to lay down or I'm going to triumph over this injury."

Griffin had been hurt previously with the Broncos, for whom he has rushed for 656 yards on 179 carries and caught 18 passes.

His first training camp nearly was wiped out by a broken left fibula. His latest setback was markedly worse. His right anterior cruciate ligament needed reconstruction, but his right medial meniscus also was torn more than 50 percent and needed repair, Antonopulos said. The latter injury required further surgical work five months later to shave off cartilage.

"I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy," Griffin said of his medical travails.

One of the biggest unanswered questions remains whether the running back, whose game is predicated on speed and quick cutbacks, will lose some of that ability.

"That question plagues me all the time," Griffin said. "Every day I think I'm getting a little better. I'm stopping. I'm starting. That's what I do."

Antonopulos believes the biggest issue is overcoming the mental hurdles associated with taking hits and not whether the back's speed will be affected long term. But Griffin's "best day" Thursday in terms of cutting and moving off the right leg appears to be a tremendous steppingstone psychologically.

"That's probably one of the most valuable things about this camp for guys like him is he'll have a lot of this mental stuff out of the way before training camp," Antonopulos said.

[SoCalBronco]

In some ways, Griffin already has lost excess baggage. Watching Droughns, without being able to play, was tough but is "over with now." The second right knee surgery helped raise his confidence level, he said, even if he admitted to "a little bit" of nervousness about enduring contact for the first time since getting hurt in last year's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

But there are some who question whether Griffin's sensitive, quiet nature will allow him to put aside the past.

"I think just the opposite," Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak said. "I think he's going to be better because he went though some tough times and had to battle back from injury. He's had to overcome that fumble. That's how you last in this league because if you play long enough, that stuff's going to happen to you. And it happened to him and now it's time to become a big boy and get after it."

That process officially might have begun after Griffin's limited activity in previous off-season camps and improvement during the second day of minicamp.

Yet the running back promised better days ahead.

"You'll know when I'm back. You'll know when I'm back," Griffin said. "You'll see it."



rasizerl@RockyMountainNews.com

[SoCalBronco]

broncos
Quiet Griffin working way back into mix
By Patrick Saunders
Denver Post Staff Writer





Quentin Griffin (Post file)

The quiet Bronco is quietly plotting his comeback.

Running back Quentin Griffin, often overlooked in discussions regarding Denver's running back corps for 2005, said Thursday that his injured knee is nearly mended.

And even though Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell appear to be locked in a battle for the starting tailback job, Griffin said he's determined to regain a prominent place in the offense.

"I earned my spot to play and I want to do the same thing - earn it again," Griffin said after minicamp practice. "I don't mind coming in under the radar."

Speaking to reporters for the first time since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while returning a kickoff in Denver's Oct. 25 loss at Cincinnati, Griffin vowed he has the right stuff to contribute this season.

"I think things happen, and you're going to get up or you're going to stay down," he said. "It depends what type of person you are. You'll see what I'm made of in a little bit. I'm either going to lay down or I'm going to triumph over this injury."

[SoCalBronco]

Griffin was a limited participant in the Broncos' team camp last month, but coach Mike Shanahan said Griffin is close to 100 percent now.

"He's practicing full speed and he's come back and he's come back well," Shanahan said. "Anytime you have an injury like that, it takes some time. But he's worked hard with the rehabilitation, and hopefully he's ready to go."

Griffin's NFL career has been a series of highs and lows. Drafted from Oklahoma in the fourth round in 2003, the 5-foot-7 scatback suffered a broken leg during his first training camp practice. He recovered in time to fill in for Clinton Portis and rush for 136 yards in a key December road victory at Indianapolis. When Portis was traded to Washington last year, Griffin earned the starting job and rushed for 156 yards in Denver's season-opening victory against Kansas City.

But Griffin's fourth-quarter fumble at Jacksonville on Sept. 19 cost Denver a chance to kick a game-winning




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field goal. Then he sprained his ankle Oct. 3 in a victory at Tampa Bay. That injury, coupled with him rushing for only 139 combined yards in Weeks 2-4, cost him the starting job as Reuben Droughns emerged. Griffin's frustrating 2004 season came to an end with his knee injury at Cincinnati.
Griffin's rehabilitation was slow until he underwent arthroscopic surgery in April to clean out cartilage in his knee. Since then, he has made steady progress.

"I tore my meniscus, too, with my ACL," he said. "That was the hardest thing to get over. I think it's a lot better now. I needed that surgery, to get me over the hump."

Griffin is not a power runner. He relies on quickness, and a healthy knee, to make defenders miss. Can he regain the elusiveness that enabled him to rush for 3,756 career yards at Oklahoma?

"That question plagues me all the time," he said. "But every day I think I'm getting a little bit better."

Asked if he has the confidence to carry the ball 25 times a game, Griffin said: "It's the NFL, yeah, but I did it in college. It's all up in the air, really. I've always had some type of confidence. I feel pretty good."

Griffin's knee requires daily treatment and he has yet to take a hit. But, he said, he's getting close.

"You'll know when I'm back," he said. "You'll see it."

Staff writer Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-820-5459 or psaunders@denverpost.com.

[-Slap-]

"I tore my meniscus, too, with my ACL," he said. "That was the hardest thing to get over. I think it's a lot better now. I needed that surgery, to get me over the hump."

The young man returned two kickoffs on that shredded knee before they took him out of the ballgame and discovered how much damage he sustained. We'll be a better team when Q is healthy and ready to contribute again.

[fontaine]

The young man returned two kickoffs on that shredded knee before they took him out of the ballgame and discovered how much damage he sustained. We'll be a better team when Q is healthy and ready to contribute again.

It's not going to be easy. Maybe they could convert him to FB!

With Dayne/Anderson/MoC/Sapp he's got his got his work cut out, especially considering he won't be returning kicks/punts.

[WyoLaw]

Why does the Post and News always run similar stories? There has to be more going on then talk about Q. Freakin' pisses me off...

[MT-Tdawg]

I really hope Q makes the roster. Fumbling problems aside, when put in the right situation the little guy can make plays. Hopefully we use him as a 3rd down/scat back type, which is what he is. He's awesome in space, but can't charge through the line play after play. If we used him in 3rd and long situations it would help us. Swing passes, screens, that kinda thing. Q probably has the best hands (in regards to catching) of any of our RB's. Using him as a 3rd & 6+ back to get him in open space would maximize his abilities.

[Kaylore]

Why does the Post and News always run similar stories? There has to be more going on then talk about Q. Freakin' pisses me off...
Because they can only interview who the team lets them interview, and they kick the media out after the first half hour.

[baja]

The young man returned two kickoffs on that shredded knee before they took him out of the ballgame and discovered how much damage he sustained. We'll be a better team when Q is healthy and ready to contribute again.

So true, so true!!

And Dayne will be hard to cut too.

I say trade Anderson for a second round pick to Cleveland

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

So true, so true!!

And Dayne will be hard to cut too.

I say trade Anderson for a second round pick to Cleveland

Six backs on the roster this year. Look at the injuries they had last year. MA goes down, Q goes down, Tater hurt early and late, Ruben runs out of gas about the 12th game. Bet it is Tater, Q, MA, Dayne, Clarett and Johnson all on the roster unless one is hurt and then Miree might crack the roster or be on PS.

[baja]

Six backs on the roster this year. Look at the injuries they had last year. MA goes down, Q goes down, Tater hurt early and late, Ruben runs out of gas about the 12th game. Bet it is Tater, Q, MA, Dayne, Clarett and Johnson all on the roster unless one is hurt and then Miree might crack the roster or be on PS.

Six backs, six receivers, a kick off specalist, a long snapper and 10 defensive linemen ....

Not possible something has to give!

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Six backs, six receivers, a kick off specalist, a long snapper and 10 defensive linemen ....

Not possible something has to give!

At least one WR, DL and hopefully a dedicated LS from your list.

[bendog]

If the knee is sound, Q should still be able to become a nice 3rd down back, and I think you're right they'll keep 6 plus 1 on PS, and Sapp really hasn't shown much in his limited opportunities.

[baja]

At least one WR, DL and hopefully a dedicated LS from your list.

I wonder who all will have a season ending boo boo this year in training camp

[IHaveALight]

I don't think Dayne will make the team. The other 5 will though.

[Ballhawk]

At least one WR, DL and hopefully a dedicated LS from your list.

I think we must keep 10 DL, with the injury history of Ellis, Pryce, CB and EE. Ernester as a KO specialist seems a little shaky and will hopefully end up on PS.

[IHaveALight]

I think we must keep 10 DL, with the injury history of Ellis, Pryce, CB and EE. Ernester as a KO specialist seems a little shaky and will hopefully end up on PS.
So Elam takes on the kickoff duties? I don't know if I like that idea. If Ernester can boot them in to the endzone on a regular basis he is well worth the roster spot IMO.

[SoCalBronco]

I think we will find a way to keep Ernster as the kickoff guy. We will keep three K/Ps. If he continues to be impressive as Wabbit said he was at the camp, than i dont know if we can put him on the PS. So Myers is going to have to get good at longsnapping so we catch ditch Leach and keep that extra spot for Ernster. And Hape is going to have to pull off his greatest miracle of all this time. They seem to like Jackson at TE, Jake said he was doing great. Alexander is a good complement to the Putz. Dayne is toast. Just aint happening. There simply isnt room. Q will get a homer nod. I think Fetafehi and Pope are battling for 1 spot. Davis is already toast. Predator needs to concern himself with things other than the no. 55, i was running the numbers for the final 53 and its going to be rough. He will really have to impress again in the pass rushing dept. If you look at it, there will be no greater than 6 LBs taken. 5 are already there with reasonable certainty. Its between Burns and the Predator. Burns is a beast on ST. Predator is going to have to basically be the 3rd down DE to make the team. He wont make it at LB. He has to make it as a 3rd down pass rushing DE. There isnt room at LB. There just isnt. Really, Predator is going to have to battle Palepoi for 1 spot.

We'll keep 5 corners i suspect. Multiple sources are saying Willie is ready to be released. Foxworth will get in. Darrent Williams is in. Roc vs. Karl Paymah vs. Shoate. Shoate is still injured, he is going to the PS. Its really Roc vs. Paymah the loser goes on the IR. Safety will be interesting. Big time pressure on Chris Young. Its a three man race for 2 backup spots (Browner, LeBust and Young ). Brandon is already toast.

Shanny could create that extra position also by keeping only Kyle Johnson at FB and if he gets hurt, slip Sarge in there. Its risky though. Miree is going to be on the PS unless he rapes. And if he rapes, that takes away a spot from someone else. Outside of Watts, all the young WRs are battling for a single spot. Thats gonna be tough. Luke should win that battle but Crenshaw could pull it out. Johnson will prolly go PS. We could go with 2 QBs again.

So there are multiple ways we can keep Ernster and Sauerbrun on the roster together.

[DB-Freak]

God this might be a start of a good special team.

I still worry about the kickoff coverage team.

[DB-Freak]

Roc vs. Karl Paymah vs. Shoate. Shoate is still injured, he is going to the PS Its really Roc vs. Paymah the loser goes on the IR.


PAyman has been impressive according to wabbit and mediator.

I don't think its even close at all.

[wabbit]

Ernster actually was scouted in more detail by several teams besides Denver.

I thought I heard Seattle & Arizona in the mix but I can't be certain.

I know there were some real grumblings among other NFL front offices when Denver used a draft pick on the guy.

Apparently, he was pretty high on the list of college FAs to be signed after the draft.

The fact that he's an excellent punter, an adequate kicker and can KO makes him a fairly valuable commodity...at least, potentially.

If he is waived, I bet he's placed on the practice squad and then heisted by somebody before the season is over.

I doubt seriously someone would claim him off waivers & place him on a regular season roster as would be required for waiver claims off the last Pre-Season cuts.

[SoCalBronco]

PAyman has been impressive according to wabbit and mediator.

I don't think its even close at all.

Thats right. Coyer apparently likes his man coverage ability and size. If this is the case, than there is no competition at all at corner. Its basically set. Roc is screwed as is Shoate. Foxworth has been the best of the young ones by all reports. Darrent Williams is in no questions asked. That's already four. If they really like Paymah, thats 5. No room for anyone else. Unless, both Roc and Paymah play good, but perhaps the staff thinks Roc would be a better choice because of his experience playing last year. Than Paymah goes to the IR with a eyebrow bruise.

[DB-Freak]

Thats right. Coyer apparently likes his man coverage ability and size. If this is the case, than there is no competition at all at corner. Its basically set. Roc is screwed as is Shoate. Foxworth has been the best of the young ones by all reports. Darrent Williams is in no questions asked. That's already four. If they really like Paymah, thats 5. No room for anyone else. Unless, both Roc and Paymah play good, but perhaps the staff thinks Roc would be a better choice because of his experience playing last year. Than Paymah goes to the IR with a eyebrow bruise.

I like Roc, but saving him a spot over a third round pick is just too much.

[SoCalBronco]

I like Roc, but saving him a spot over a third round pick is just too much.

Well thats exactly what they did for him last year.

[SoCalBronco]

Wabbit, you must have been pretty pissed off to take the trek up there today in the heat and then see the team blow everyone off and go bowling, eh?

[wabbit]

Nope, no mas baby. I had my two day run, almost got everything I needed.

I was a hundred freaking degrees today. I had all kinds of work to write up two feet from an air conditioner & I wasn't going anywhere.

I still have to get a promised interview. More than a few coaches aren't going anywhere during the last two weeks before camp. I'll still get chance.

On the subject of Griffin, I really feel for the kid...I really do. I loved his shifty moves and hoped he could tap just a smidgen of Barry Saunders magic, but an injury like the ACL affects him more than anyone when you consider his reliance on quick cuts.

He has my very best wishes, but it pains me to predict he may have to move on. That RB stable is just too stacked.

[SoCalBronco]

Nope, no mas baby. I had my two day run, almost got everything I needed.

I was a hundred freaking degrees today. I had all kinds of work to write up two feet from an air conditioner & I wasn't going anywhere.

I still have to get a promised interview. More than a few coaches aren't going anywhere during the last two weeks before camp. I'll still get chance.

On the subject of Griffin, I really feel for the kid...I really do. I loved his shifty moves and hoped he could tap just a smidgen of Barry Saunders magic, but an injury like the ACL affects him more than anyone when you consider his reliance on quick cuts.

He has my very best wishes, but it pains me to predict he may have to move on. That RB stable is just too stacked.

Yep the RB competition will be interesting to watch. I think Dayne is going to get axed. Q seems like a nice guy and a hard worker but we will see what he can do. He already had problems before he got hurt.

20 days till camp.

[Cito Pelon]

Q has to be able to catch the ball consistently if he wants to make a mark in the NFL.

he has all kinds of talent. He can score a lot of TD's. But I think he needs to be fed the ball mostly at open-field depth with quick sharp passes, or pitchouts. There's limits to how you can use him effectively. But he's a great offensive tool.

The coaching staff has to get that done. If they can get that done, he's good for 6-8 TD's/yr.