Cedric Griffin
Encyclopedia
Cedric Leonard Griffin is an American football
cornerback
for the Minnesota Vikings
of the National Football League
.
He was born in Natchez, Mississippi
and graduated from Holmes High School in San Antonio, Texas
. He played college football
for The University of Texas
Longhorns
and was a stand-out performer on the 2005 National Championship team
. He was drafted by the Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft
.
in 2000, his senior
season. He also played as a wide receiver
and accumulated yards rushing and in kick-off
and punt
returns. As a cornerback
, he made 26 tackles and seven interceptions. As a wide receiver, he caught eight passes for 202 yards, including two touchdowns. The same year, he rushed for 198 yards, made a 90-yard kickoff return and returned two punts for 95 yards against Taft High. Griffin played in the first ever U.S. Army All-American Bowl
on December 30, 2000. In addition to football, he competed in track
. While playing at Holmes High School, Griffin was a part of a State Semifinalist squad that fell one game short of the State Championship. Other standout athletes who played with Griffin on the Holmes football squad include Olympic Gold Medalist in 4x400 meter relay Darold Williamson, Robert Quiroga of the Arena Football League, standout defensive tackle at Baylor University
Michael Gary, and Division II All-American quarterback from Texas Lutheran University Sean Salinas.
year, Griffin played in all 51 games over the next four years, including 44 games as a starter. He recorded 271 tackles (170 solo tackles), broke up 32 passes (ranking in the school's top 15 for pass deflections) and intercepted three others for 29 yards in interception return yards. In 2002, Griffin became the first UT player ever to return a blocked field goal
for a touchdown
, when he returned one 56 yards at Tulane University
.
As a junior, he was tabbed honorable mention All-Big 12 by the conference coaches for 2004. As a senior on UT's 2005 National Championship team, he was a key part of the UT pass defense that ranked eighth in the nation in yards allowed by game (172.0) and fourth in the nation in pass efficiency defense (96.7 rating). In Texas' 41-38 victory over USC for the National Championship Game, he made 8 tackles, including 6 solo tackles.
Griffin is the highest-drafted defensive back chosen by the Vikings since Orlando Thomas (number 42 overall) was selected in 1995. Counting Griffin, the Vikings have taken five players over the past five NFL drafts who have come into the NFL with a college national championship to their credit. The others (with school and draft year) are Bryant McKinnie
(University of Miami
- 2002), Kenechi Udeze
(University of Southern California - 2004), Darrion Scott
(Ohio State University
- 2004)Dustin Fox
(Ohio State University - 2005), and Percy Harvin
(University of Florida - 2009).
went down with a broken arm in the preseason many people believe it would be Griffin who would step into the Nickelback role that was vacated by Edwards when he went down with an injury. Instead the Vikings chose to go with Ronyell Whitaker
. Griffin began getting more and more playing time as the season played on, eventually Griffin overtook a starting cornerback spot from prized free agent signing from two years earlier Fred Smoot
. Griffin played well as a rookie and impressed the coaching staff. He recorded his first career interception against the Detroit Lions
. During the 2007 season he struggled as a starter, recording zero interceptions and getting beat often. But in 2008, he played well, recording over 100 tackles and one interception.
He was due to be a free agent after 2009 season. But on March 21, 2009, the Vikings re-signed Griffin for five years and a total of a little more than $25 million. It contains $10 million in guaranteed money.
In 2009, he led the team with 4 interceptions, while recording 78 tackles and forcing 3 fumbles. The Vikings made it all the way to the NFC
Championship against the New Orleans Saints
. In the game, Griffin tore the Anterior cruciate ligament
in his left knee, which was successfully repaired in the offseason. Griffin rehabilitated throughout the pre-season and was able to return in 2010 to play in the Vikings' Week 3 victory over the Detroit Lions
. However during the Vikings' Week 5 loss against the New York Jets
Griffin sustained an injury to his right knee (he had previously injured his left knee in the 2009 NFC Championship). However the next day, after undergoing an MRI it was determined that Griffin had torn the ACL in his right knee and he was placed on season ending injured reserve.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
for the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
He was born in Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez is the county seat of Adams County, Mississippi, United States. With a total population of 18,464 , it is the largest community and the only incorporated municipality within Adams County...
and graduated from Holmes High School in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for The University of Texas
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
Longhorns
Texas Longhorn Athletics
Texas Longhorns athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports teams of The University of Texas at Austin. These teams are referred to as the Texas Longhorns , taking their name from the Longhorn cattle that were an important part of the development of Texas, and are now the...
and was a stand-out performer on the 2005 National Championship team
2005 Texas Longhorn football team
The 2005 Texas Longhorn football team represented the University of Texas at Austin during the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season, winning the Big 12 Conference championship and the national championship. The team was coached by Mack Brown, led on offense by quarterback Vince Young, and played...
. He was drafted by the Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
.
High school career
Griffin played football at Holmes High School in San Antonio, Texas under the direction of head coach David Sanchez. He was an All-State Class 5A defensive backDefensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
in 2000, his senior
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
season. He also played as a wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
and accumulated yards rushing and in kick-off
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
and punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
returns. As a cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
, he made 26 tackles and seven interceptions. As a wide receiver, he caught eight passes for 202 yards, including two touchdowns. The same year, he rushed for 198 yards, made a 90-yard kickoff return and returned two punts for 95 yards against Taft High. Griffin played in the first ever U.S. Army All-American Bowl
U.S. Army All-American Bowl
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a high school football all-star game held in early January in San Antonio, Texas. Currently played in the Alamodome, the game brings 90 of the nation's top high school football players in an East versus West matchup. In addition to the Bowl game, there is the U.S...
on December 30, 2000. In addition to football, he competed in track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
. While playing at Holmes High School, Griffin was a part of a State Semifinalist squad that fell one game short of the State Championship. Other standout athletes who played with Griffin on the Holmes football squad include Olympic Gold Medalist in 4x400 meter relay Darold Williamson, Robert Quiroga of the Arena Football League, standout defensive tackle at Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
Michael Gary, and Division II All-American quarterback from Texas Lutheran University Sean Salinas.
College career
After redshirting his freshmanFreshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
year, Griffin played in all 51 games over the next four years, including 44 games as a starter. He recorded 271 tackles (170 solo tackles), broke up 32 passes (ranking in the school's top 15 for pass deflections) and intercepted three others for 29 yards in interception return yards. In 2002, Griffin became the first UT player ever to return a blocked field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
for a touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
, when he returned one 56 yards at Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
.
As a junior, he was tabbed honorable mention All-Big 12 by the conference coaches for 2004. As a senior on UT's 2005 National Championship team, he was a key part of the UT pass defense that ranked eighth in the nation in yards allowed by game (172.0) and fourth in the nation in pass efficiency defense (96.7 rating). In Texas' 41-38 victory over USC for the National Championship Game, he made 8 tackles, including 6 solo tackles.
Professional career
Defensive statistics:| Year | GP | GS | TK | SO | AS | FR | FC | INT | TFL | PBU | SACK | PRES |
| 2002 | 13 | 06 | 69 | 38 | 31 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3.0-18 | 4 | 1.0-13 | 4 |
| 2003 | 13 | 13 | 48 | 31 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.0-2 | 7 | 0.0-0 | 1 |
| 2004 | 12 | 12 | 68 | 53 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3.0-5 | 6 | 0.0-0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 13 | 13 | 86 | 48 | 38 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1.0-2 | 15 | 0.0-0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 51 | 44 | 271 | 170 | 101 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 8.0-27 | 32 | 1-0-13 | 5 |
2006 NFL Draft
Griffin was selected in the second round (number 48 overall) by the Minnesota Vikings. According to the UT football website:Griffin joins Michael HuffMichael HuffMichael Wayne Huff II. is an American Football Free Safety for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He played collegiately as a CB/S for The University of Texas Longhorns.-High school career:...
(No. 7 overall) as the second Longhorn defensive back chosen in the 2006 draft, marking the first time since 1997 two have been selected in the same draft when Bryant WestbrookBryant WestbrookBryant Antoine Westbrook is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League.-College career:...
was chosen by the Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
in the first round and Taje AllenTaje AllenTaje LaQuane Allen is a former professional American football player who played cornerback for six seasons for the St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League....
was picked by the Saint Louis Rams in the fifth round... Along with Huff, Griffin's selection gives the Longhorns a defensive back selection in four of the past five drafts... Griffin is the first Longhorn selected by the Vikings since DT John Haines in 1984. The Longhorns have now had at least three players drafted in each of the last four years.
Griffin is the highest-drafted defensive back chosen by the Vikings since Orlando Thomas (number 42 overall) was selected in 1995. Counting Griffin, the Vikings have taken five players over the past five NFL drafts who have come into the NFL with a college national championship to their credit. The others (with school and draft year) are Bryant McKinnie
Bryant McKinnie
Bryant McKinnie is a American football offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
(University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
- 2002), Kenechi Udeze
Kenechi Udeze
Kenechi Nduka Udeze [] is an assistant coach of University of Washington Huskies football team and a former American football defensive end of the National Football League....
(University of Southern California - 2004), Darrion Scott
Darrion Scott
Darrion Scott is an American football defensive end who is currently a member of the Washington Redskins. He was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
(Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
- 2004)Dustin Fox
Dustin Fox
Dustin Erik Fox is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
(Ohio State University - 2005), and Percy Harvin
Percy Harvin
William Percival "Percy" Harvin, III is an American football wide receiver, return specialist, and running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League...
(University of Florida - 2009).
Minnesota Vikings
Griffin came into training camp with the expectation of being the team's nickel or dime back (3rd or 4th cornerback). When second year man Dovonte EdwardsDovonte Edwards
Dovonte Edwards is a American and Canadian football cornerback for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
went down with a broken arm in the preseason many people believe it would be Griffin who would step into the Nickelback role that was vacated by Edwards when he went down with an injury. Instead the Vikings chose to go with Ronyell Whitaker
Ronyell Whitaker
Ronyell Whitaker is an American football cornerback free agent. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003...
. Griffin began getting more and more playing time as the season played on, eventually Griffin overtook a starting cornerback spot from prized free agent signing from two years earlier Fred Smoot
Fred Smoot
Fredrick "Fred" Duayne Smoot is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
. Griffin played well as a rookie and impressed the coaching staff. He recorded his first career interception against the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. During the 2007 season he struggled as a starter, recording zero interceptions and getting beat often. But in 2008, he played well, recording over 100 tackles and one interception.
He was due to be a free agent after 2009 season. But on March 21, 2009, the Vikings re-signed Griffin for five years and a total of a little more than $25 million. It contains $10 million in guaranteed money.
In 2009, he led the team with 4 interceptions, while recording 78 tackles and forcing 3 fumbles. The Vikings made it all the way to the NFC
National Football Conference
The National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the American Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.-Current teams:Since 2002, the NFC has comprised 16 teams,...
Championship against the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. In the game, Griffin tore the Anterior cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
in his left knee, which was successfully repaired in the offseason. Griffin rehabilitated throughout the pre-season and was able to return in 2010 to play in the Vikings' Week 3 victory over the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. However during the Vikings' Week 5 loss against the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Griffin sustained an injury to his right knee (he had previously injured his left knee in the 2009 NFC Championship). However the next day, after undergoing an MRI it was determined that Griffin had torn the ACL in his right knee and he was placed on season ending injured reserve.