Why drafting Griffen makes perfect sense!

[ZONA]

I think everybody knows I'm high on this guy. To me, he brings a geat deal of intangibles to the table.

First off, he would be awesome on specials teams. He blocks alot of punts and has shown he likes to play on speical teams, even when he was a starter on defense. He has great tenancity, good speed, a NOSE FOR THE BALL, a very solid tackler and really shows the ability to strip the ball while not giving up on the tackle. He's played in big games and against big time talent. I really think this guy could be a stand out safety in Denver and I think we should draft him. Here's a clip.

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

It makes sense to me because we would be improving both defense and special teams with this single pick. How many more years can Lynch play and who else do we have? A bunch of question marks. Our other starter (Fergy) was decent at best and he tore up his knee. I like this guy, maybe not at #21 but if we move down to #26, we could land him probably and also get a low 2nd or high 3rd.

[Kaylore]

I do like him. Having an Ed Reed type would be huge for us. I hope that we are looking at all our prospects for what they can do on special teams because we suck right now.

[bpc]

We have such an advantage with a guy like Champ on the field for us. I think we could go a long way towards making this a really turnover effective unit by adding a safety who has some good ball skills. Bly was another step in that direction, I think the best value we could add right now in the first round is to go with either Reggie Nelson or Michael Griffin in round 1. I think Lynch has about two years at most left and Ferguson is a guy that was just average... I can't imagine what it would be like to have a FS who can play the ball in coverage to take advantage of Champ locking down one WR a game.

Pretty much I agree and have been echoeing the same thought.

[goldengopher1976]

At this point, I will be happy with a DE/DT/S and perhaps even a LB in round 1. For that matter, round 1, 2, and 3. I've heard talk throughout the years that a good D starts with the middle (DT, MLB, S). We are weak at DT, good but on the decline at the MLB, and decent at S. Give me one of each in this draft and I'll feel like we've taken a step in the right direction.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I like Griffin a lot. He is my first choice of a safety after Landry. But I would bet the Broncs draft a Big Guy in the first round.

[ludo21]

id definitely love Griffin in the first round...

We need help there, and DL... if Willis is available, im liking that idea more and more as well..

[ICON]

Griffin in the 2nd round would be great
we have to give up the early 3rd to move
down and pick him. 1/DE 2/S 3/DT

[phibacka31]

I really like Griffin too, but if we are to take him hopefully move down a few and pick up a 2nd or 3rd!Booya!

I am also a Merriweather fan, though with the new NFL, His character may be a concern. I thnk hes a player though

[ZONA]

I do like him. Having an Ed Reed type would be huge for us. I hope that we are looking at all our prospects for what they can do on special teams because we suck right now.

I like what you said. I do believe he is an Ed Reed type of player and I think with Bly, Champ Lynch and Griffen in the backfield, that's huge. Another reason why I love this pick (if he turns out to be ours) is we need more turnovers on defense. Champ gets his but because teams barely throw over his way, that means alot of balls are going to the other side. I would put Griffen on that other side with Bly and between those two, you might see more balls coming back Champs way, which would be great for us. This year is really deep in solid talent at DL and I still think we can add a few quality players there. And I think Dumerville will only get better. A few fatties to plug up that inside and we could really see a huge improvement on this defense, a lasting improvement. But when I watch Griffen, I just get this feeling that he's a special player and he's gonna be one of the best in this draft when you look back at it in a few years. He's a playmaker. I'll take those in the 1st round all day long and get my linemen in rounds 2 and 3.

[Requiem]

I have nothing to prove that Griffin would be a high player on the Broncos boards, but he's a standout on special teams, has blocked half a dozen kicks and is fluid on coverage and good in run support. He could challenge Ferguson as a starter, and he brings a lot more to the table. I've been on his bandwagon for a while now and would be thrilled if his name got called.

Denver needs a safety, and typically, we're drafting for 2008 in 2007 - but he has the ability to make it right away. Nelson and Griffin could both be there at 21, I'd expect one of those guys to be the pick. I would't be disappointed if it was someone else, but the talent from Griffin and Nelson to the next guy down the board drops off big time, even though the guys after them are solid prospects.

As for defensive end, I'd say after Jarvis Moss (who could be there at 21) the grades on about 5-7 guys are the same. Take a safety please.

[Dedhed]

I would have no problem with Griffin at #21, even though we're desperate for DL help. There's depth in this DL class that isn't there at safety, and that makes me think we should address the safety position early. I

Griffin is a modern style safety who could be an impact player for us right away. I think he would also be a great compliment to the old school style that Lynch brings, and he would free up Lynch to blitz and be up near the LOS where he's at his best.

[Requiem]

There have been several comparisons thrown out there on Griffin, a Marlon McCree, but I think that Mike Minter is a better one. NFL.com's scouting profile is pretty tight on it, and I actually agree with that comparison.

[Barry Ramey]

I like both Nelson and Meriweather over Griffin and would take either at #21 before Griffin. I'm just not as high on Griffin as others. The knock he has and I've seen it written more than once about him, of not having great instincts worries me.

[goldengopher1976]

I could certainly live with "Mike Minter". The name doesn't strike fear or evoke statements about "the great ones". What it does is speak to consistently solid production at a high level of play over the course of a career. Yes please!

[Requiem]

Where have you heard that? Intangibles seem top notch to me.

[goldengopher1976]

Where have you heard that? Intangibles seem top notch to me.

Don't get me wrong, that was no knock on Griffen. I simply meant to say that the comparison to Mike Minter didn't evoke thoughts of greatness. If he'd been compared to Lott or Atwater or Reed or some other safety that was widely recognized as one of the best to play the position then (I assume) we'd all picture play at that level. Instead, I hear the name "Mike Minter" and I think instead of solid, if not spectacular, play. And as I said, I can live with "Mike Minter". Would I rather have the next Ed Reed? Of course. We all would. But I'll live with having the next Mike Minter in our secondary.

EDIT: You were responding to Ramey...heh, sorry about that. Hopefully this just clarifies what I meant then.

[watermock]

I know DL is a priority, but this kid reminds me of Atwater. This kid will "man up" in the mold of DWill but has the size to finish.

I know that's a highlight film, but it's pretty damn impressive. Speed and power isn't easy to get. I wouldn't have a problem with taking him at all at 21.

[Barry Ramey]

Where have you heard that? Intangibles seem top notch to me.

Here are some sites that talk about Griffin and his instincts. Obviously no player is perfect and I do like Griffin's speed and athletic ability, but I don't think instincts can be taught and he could be caught out of position too often to be as good as he could be and so I don't know about him at #21.

http://www.nflfans.com/x/2007/showplayer.php?key=Michael%20Griffin

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

Pro Football Weekly's draft publication mag mentions that Griffin talks about him having tunnel vision at times and not reading the whole field and biting on fakes too often.

ESPN draft mag also mentions about his recognition skills needing work.

Sporting News draft mag says he will struggle with the mental part of the game.

I think there are some other draft sites I saw pretty much saying the same stuff. They all like Griffin's athletic ability, but it seems many basically see a weakness with the mental part of the game.

Again, I don't want it to sounds like I hate the guy because I don't. It's just I wonder how good he'll really be if he doesn't have the instincts for the postion. Physical talent only takes you so far.

[bpc]

we don't know what kind of defense Texas was running and what his responsibilities were.

I have Landry first, Nelson second, Griffin third. I would feel good landing any of the three... i would feel good getting a chance at Weddle, Gattis or the kid from Wyoming as well.

This draft is really deep in the secondary.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

we don't know what kind of defense Texas was running and what his responsibilities were.

I have Landry first, Nelson second, Griffin third. I would feel good landing any of the three... i would feel good getting a chance at Weddle, Gattis or the kid from Wyoming as well.

This draft is really deep in the secondary.

I agree with every thing you said. I would rate Griffin slightly ahead of Nelson just because he is more physical. Nelson seems to be a little more finese guy. Just a matter of personal style preference.

[Requiem]

I just hope that the Bly signing doesn't mean we push off on the secondary. I'd really like to see us get another great player in there. Whether it's Nelson or Griffin, I'd really love them to be a part of this unit, I think it can be special.

I like Weddle, Gattis and Wendling - but it's a big drop from the top three guys to the rest of those guys. If I had to pick a third-round safety, It'd be Michael Johnson. Weddle probably won't be around in the second for us to pick either. Who knows, we'll see.

[BroncoInferno]

I think Gaddis will be as good or maybe even better than the guys rated ahead of him, and he can be had in the 2nd or 3rd round. If he had gone to USC instead of Wake Forrest, he'd be a lock for one the top 3 safety spots. Look at film on the guy---he constantly makes plays.

[cabronco]

I would have no problem with Griffin at #21, even though we're desperate for DL help. There's depth in this DL class that isn't there at safety, and that makes me think we should address the safety position early. I

Griffin is a modern style safety who could be an impact player for us right away. I think he would also be a great compliment to the old school style that Lynch brings, and he would free up Lynch to blitz and be up near the LOS where he's at his best.

I'm starting to think the same way. I want D-line bad, but the draft is deeper with D-line talent than Safety. If we dont have a shot at Carriker, than I'd like to see us get Griffin.

[azbroncfan]

I agree with every thing you said. I would rate Griffin slightly ahead of Nelson just because he is more physical. Nelson seems to be a little more finese guy. Just a matter of personal style preference.

Merriweather could be a better pro than both of them as I think he is the best cover S available. I know he is who I want on my side if I go into a tribal war swinging weapons too. :~ohyah!:

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Merriweather could be a better pro than both of them as I think he is the best cover S available. I know he is who I want on my side if I go into a tribal war swinging weapons too. :~ohyah!:

Don't get me started - A suspension waiting to happen under Goodells new dictates. He's off my board completely

[-Slap-]

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showpost.php?p=1472001&postcount=56

[fontaine]

Don't get me started - A suspension waiting to happen under Goodells new dictates. He's off my board completely

Isn't Goodell supposed to announce new tougher measures this weekend? I think he's starting off with Crapman and Chris Henry.

It's going to be really interesting to see how this affects the drafting process of guys like Merriweather/Ramonce Taylor. Taylor probably goes undrafted. Merriweather? I don't know.

The plus side is that guys with great character in the draft are probably rewarding by default since they will be taken earlier, possibly at the expense of guys that are falling because they either smoked too much dope or shot someone.

[want2bAbronco2]

[QUOTE=Requiem;1529966]

Nelson and Griffin could both be there at 21, I'd expect one of those guys to be the pick. I would't be disappointed if it was someone else, but the talent from Griffin and Nelson to the next guy down the board drops off big time, even though the guys after them are solid prospects.


Don't get me wrong I really like Nelson in the 1st, and I think Griffin would be awsome in early 2nd (trade up) but Brandon Meriweather was the #1 S going into last year, but he got into that fight/shooting. If you watch him play ( the U fan) he can hit like a truck and speed/cover like a safety (ran a mid 4.3s) He played CB at the Senior Bowl, and read some scouts said if he came out as a S he would be 1st round top 3, and if he came out as CB he would be 1st round top 5. If you can't tell, I want him!