Everson Griffen Says He’ll Play Both End Spots

Nov 3, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) celebrates his sack against Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) in the second quarter Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Everyone wants to know what mad genius plans Mike Zimmer has for revitalizing a Vikings defense that in 2013 sank to the bottom of the league statistically.

Naturally, Zim isn’t eager to exactly advertise every aspect of his blueprint. But now and then a little nugget will trickle out thanks to a loose-lipped player.

Everson Griffen on Tuesday let a little hint fly during a talk with new Star Trib Vikings beat writer Matt Vensel. As Vensel tweeted:

If you’re a true fan of the Vikings, you realize what a kind-of-big-deal it would be for Griffen to switch back and forth from left to right end.

For years, the Vikings have been a strictly right-or-left team on their defense. Jared Allen always lined up on the right side, Ray Edwards and then Brian Robison always lined up on the left side.

In the secondary too, the Vikings have for a long time played sides. Chris Cook and Cedric Griffin before him were always the right corner. Left corner was always Antoine Winfield until he began kicking inside to play slot corner, then it was whoever the Vikings had who was capable of suiting up and hopefully not embarrassing himself that week.

If the Griffen nugget is true, the Vikings are set to undergo a fairly significant change in their defensive approach. We would expect nothing less from a defensive mind as prodigious as Mike Zimmer’s.

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