The team signed former Patriots and Bears safety Brandon Meriweather [28] who at his peak was a two time pro-bowler and former Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin [29]. I am not sure how the team plans to use them... but they do seem to have one thing in common:
TURNOVERS!
Cedric Griffin always had a reputation as a big, physical corner who was a great combination of size and speed. He also has forced at least 3 fumbles a year since 2008 (not counting 2010 when he was injured.) He's never been a big interception guy (not the true mark of a good defensive back) but he's got a few of those as well. The Vikings were toying with the idea of putting him in at safety and I think that's what the team may have in store for him.
Meriweather has a penchant for getting turnovers too. Both in intercepting the ball and in driving out forced fumbles.
Now, I've read reports saying that Meriweather is a guy who is best used as a centerfielder. Someone who can sit back and be a playmaker. That's what made him so successful in New England before he was cut. What if they plan to use both guys at safety? Griffin at strong, Meriweather at free? That's got to be a little more speed than usual in the defensive backfield. With Gomes and Doughty backing up... Barns as a possible nickelback (or maybe using Griffin in certain packages there) we'd also have a lot of depth.
I think these moves were made for a couple of reasons. To add speed to the defense, and to increase turnovers. Here's what the experts at Scouts Inc say:
Brandon Meriweather- 71 (Good Starter)
Meriweather has adequate size, strength and athleticism for the safety position. He is an instinctive player that reacts well to both the run and pass. He fills the alley as a run-support defender and can be a physical tackler in the open field. He has enough experience and intelligence to be used in different alignments in sub packages.
Cedric Griffin- 72 (Good Starter)
Griffin became a cap casualty in Minnesota but still possesses the overall athleticism, size and strength for a secondary defender. Griffin fills the alley well in run support and understands angles and how to maintain leverage defending both the run and pass. He can be physical in block protection and stays active to the pile. Griffin is a good player and very productive when healthy, but there are durability concerns moving forward with a neck and knee injury in his medical history.
Two physical defensive backs that are good tacklers and who play both the run and the pass well. I really wouldn't be surprised if these two guys ended up as our safety tandem... and were very productive. That's a lot of speed and coverage ability to have on the field.
Master of the obvious...
