Where's Griffen

There's a chance that the Minnesota Vikings entire defensive coaching staff will be dumped after the season. There's been issues with the play calling of defensive coordinator Fred Pagac. While an excellent linebacker coach for the team since 2006, he's been a bit unsteady as the coordinator. I'm not sure that a demotion back to the linebackers would sit well with him. If the Vikings bring in a new coordinator, that person would likely want to bring in people with whom he's comfortable. No matter what happens at the coordinator position I hope that line coach Karl Dunbar is retained. He's been excellent. Maybe he's ready to move up to the top defensive position. There will be changes on the defensive side of the ball.

No matter what happens with the defensive coaches I think that defensive end Everson Griffen has to be on the field. He has to be on the field a lot. He's played in spots to give Jared Allen and Brian Robison a breather. He always adds a spark. The Vikings have also experimented with him at linebacker this season. Griffen would be super in a "roving" defensive role. The Baltimore Ravens did similar things with Adalius Thomas a few years ago. He played nearly every defensive position for the Ravens. Eversin Griffen, like Thomas, is a unique talent. He has defensive end size and linebacker speed and movement. He makes plays and the Vikings need more of that. This season Jared Allen has been the only player on the defense that could be counted on to make "splash" plays. The Vikings have to take advantage of Griffen's skills. They have to get creative. Make the offense account for his presence and location. Mix it up. Use him as a stand up rush end, hand in the dirt at tackle or end. Off the line as a linebacker or safety. Blitz or drop back in coverage. If the Vikings stick with the Tampa 2, drop him back to the deep middle rather than the middle linebacker. Or even use him in the middle. Just keep the offense guessing as to where he is every play. Offenses are getting more creative each year. Defenses are often slow to respond. The Vikings don't have to be that defense. Surprise the offense at the snap of the ball. After it too.  Changes are in store for the Vikings this offseason. I just hope that utilizing the versatility of Everson Griffen is one of them.