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The Minnesota Vikings have had an uneventful offseason thus far, but the contract extension they gave cornerback Cedric Griffin yesterday was definitely one of the team’s highlights. Terms of the extension were not immediately disclosed. Last season, Ced ranked second on the team with 100 tackles plus he had 13 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one interception. He also had four solo tackles and had an INT in a playoff game against Philadelphia. He was more than grateful for the new deal:

“I’m definitely excited to get an extension done with the Vikings. I thank God for all I’ve been blessed with and thank my family for all the support they have given me to help me reach this point. I wanted to stay with the Vikings because I think we have an opportunity to continue building on what we have started there. I think the defense has gotten better every year and I just love the coaches there — Coach Childress, Coach Frazier and Joe Woods especially. I have a great respect for how Joe prepares us every week and love playing for him. There’s a real family atmosphere at the Vikings and a real feeling that people care about you.”

The Vikes do have a solid defense and Cedric is a big reason why. With veteran Antoine Winfield on the other side of the field, Minnesota has two excellent cover corners who also actually enjoy playing the run and hitting people. Neither Ced nor Antoine is very big, but they more than make up for their size with their tenacity. It’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the … You know how it goes. I think Cedric has learned a lot from playing with Antoine and the Vikings defense is better for having both on the field.

Check out my 2008 season interview with Cedric Griffin.

UPDATE: I’ve got the numbers on Ced’s contract extension — a little over $25 million over five years with $10 million guaranteed. (Source)

Source: Vikings.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Vikings, Cedric Griffin Make a New Deal

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With key offseason acquisitions like defensive end Jared Allen and receiver Bernard Berrian, the Minnesota Vikings had the kind of 2008 expectations worthy of a Super Bowl contender. As it turns out, the first half of this season didn’t quite go as planned. But coming off one of their most complete games of the season, a 28-21 win over the Houston Texans, the Vikings are back to .500 and close to playing the kind of football they expected of themselves in training camp. I interviewed Vikings cornerback (and 2nd leading tackler) Cedric Griffin from the team’s weight room after practice today.

• 0:12 – Week 9 win over Houston was one of the best Vikings performances
• 0:42 – Limiting Texans receiver Andre Johnson to just four catches
• 1:20 – Welcoming veteran safety Madieu Williams to the secondary
• 2:00 – Packer week, Cedric and coach Childress have never beaten Green Bay
• 2:48 – Facing QB Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ multiple formations
• 3:40 – Interceptions (and returns) aren’t happening this season … yet
• 4:20 – Cedric’s hit on Saints receiver Billy Miller last month a YouTube favorite
• 5:02 – Vikings coaching staff awards Grape Crush soda for biggest hits
• 5:41 – The increasingly difficult task of playing defensive football in the NFL
• 7:02 – Facing fines and possible suspensions for playing “tackle” football
• 8:02 – Re-evaluate the rules and process of punishment in the offseason?

Links: Vikings.com, NFL Players, NFL.com

Note: My apologies for the snap, crackle, pop coming from Cedric’s phone.

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Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

EMQB Interview: Cedric Griffin

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It’s official. The Kansas City Chiefs have traded All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen to the Minnesota Vikings for three picks in this weekend’s NFL Draft. The Vikings give up their first-round pick (17th overall) plus both of their third-round picks (73rd and 82nd overall). Initially, the Chiefs wanted Minnesota’s first and second-round spots, but the Vikings had enough Draft picks (nine) to negotiate with. Considering their second-round pick non-negotiable, they decided to abandon their two third-round picks instead and the Chiefs jumped at the opportunity. KC now has 13 total selections in this 2008 NFL Draft as they try to rebuild their program.

Photos Courtesy Minnesota Vikings

Jared Allen wanted no part of a rebuilding program. As he approaches the prime of his career, Jared saw that the Vikings (who signed him for six years and nearly $74 million with $31 million guaranteed) were really only a player or two away from being serious playoff contenders. Along with the “Williams Wall” (tackles Kevin and Pat), Minnesota now has three Pro Bowlers on their D-line and a very legitimate pass rush. You know the numbers. The Vikings could stop the run (they were the NFL’s best last season) but couldn’t stop the pass. Opposing teams gave up trying to run on the Vikes and Minnesota couldn’t muster enough of a pass rush to prevent themselves from becoming the league’s worst pass defense. With Kenechi Udeze recovering from leukemia and Erasmus James recuperating from a third knee operation, it was pretty clear the Vikings needed help at the defensive end position.

Jared’s only going to make the rest of the Vikings better. I’m talking specifically about players like Ray Edwards (who should start opposite Jared at DE) and DBs Antoine Winfield, Cedric Griffin and Marcus McCauley. As long as Jared can stay healthy and out of trouble, the opportunistic Vikings will have arguably the NFL’s best defense to go along with an offense led by superstar running back Adrian Peterson. If QB Tarvaris Jackson can “manage” the offense, Minnesota will be tough to beat. Super Bowl contenders? In the wide-open NFC, why not?

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chiefs Trade Jared Allen to Vikings