The Seattle Seahawks, despite bringing in Jadeveon Clowney, Ziggy Ansah and L.J. Collier in the offseason, have one of the worst pass rush defenses in the league.
Quinton Jefferson and Rasheem Green have played well, and Clowney has made an impact in other ways, but this team is failing to put pressure on the quarterback – leading to big games for opposing offenses and forcing Russell Wilson and Seattle’s offense to play catch-up with extreme frequency.
While the 7-2 record may make it seem like things are just fine, this team’s defense will not lead them very far in the playoffs if they don’t find ways to make adjustments – either to their play-calling or their personnel.
Enter Shaquem Griffin.
Griffin has taken a backseat to his twin brother Shaquill this season, who is playing at a Pro Bowl level this season as Seattle’s right cornerback.
Shaquem is contributing on the special teams again this year, but has yet to find his way onto the field on defense. Last year he started the first game of the season at outside linebacker in place of K.J. Wright, but proved not ready to contribute in that role.
Instead, Griffin spent the offseason getting re-acclimated with his most successful role in college: rushing the passer.
Griffin recorded 18.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss while at UCF, and it may be time for the Seahawks to see if he can translate some of that success into an edge rushing role on their defense.
After all, Jacob Martin was an undersized, high-motor edge rusher for Seattle last year, and he found plenty of success in that role.
Griffin has many similar traits, and could immediately help generate more pressure up front for the Seahawks.
“He’s always competing to help,” was all coach Pete Carroll was willing to offer when asked about Griffin contributing as an edge rusher this season.
However, unless Collier and Ansah find ways to suddenly improve dramatically in the second half, the Seahawks will be forced to look elsewhere for pressure off the edge – and Griffin might the best option they can find.
