Run Defense
2-10-SD 6 (12:13) M.Gordon right guard to SD 8 for 2 yards (L.Joseph, E.Griffen).
Sacks are what make the highlight reel and what get edge rushers paid, but run defense is very important as well. In this game, Griffen also played well against the run. On the Chargers’ second play from scrimmage, Griffen already made an impact. He has no right to make this tackle, but he gets down the line so quickly that he’s able to join a pile of defenders to bring Gordon down. It starts right from the snap, where you see the entire OL move to their right. Griffen is lined up heads up against the TE on the right side (from this perspective). You can see that the first thing he does when the TE engages him is execute a swim move by bringing his arm over the TE’s head. He then enters a mess of bodies that makes it hard to keep track of him, but he flows well with the line and eventually ends up on top of the ballcarrier for an assisted tackle.
1-10-SD 47 (7:52) (No Huddle) M.Gordon up the middle to SD 47 for no gain (X.Rhodes, G.Hodges).
Although he doesn’t get a tackle on this play, Griffen is key to stopping it. Run plays are designed to go to one side, but also prevent a cutback lane if that side is closed. This play is designed to be run to the right side of the offensive line (or, from the perspective of the gif, the left), but you can see Linval Joseph beat the center and get in the way. Therefore, Gordon decides to cut the run back. The cutback lane should be between DT Floyd and Griffen, but Everson has spoiled that. He dominates the TE, and forces him down the line of scrimmage, closing the cutback lane. Gordon has to try to kick the run one gap further to the outside, where Xavier Rhodes is waiting unblocked to make the tackle.
3-2-MIN 45 (Q1, 6:39) M.Gordon up the middle to MIN 44 for 1 yard (E.Griffen).
On this play, you’ll notice Griffen flow down the line once again. This time, unlike the play before, that’s how the blocking is designed by the offense. They want Griffen flowing in that direction too to allow Gordon a spot to cutback. Griffen, however, is alert, and recognizes the cutback. When Gordon tries it, Griffen abruptly stops moving in that direction and throws the TE off of him. Then he, along with safety Harrison Smith, brings Gordon to the ground.
1-10-SD 46 (Q2, 6:47) (No Huddle) D.Woodhead left tackle to SD 47 for 1 yard (A.Barr, S.Floyd).
On the first three run plays, the runs were designed to be away from Griffen. On this play, the run is directly at him. This makes his responsibility on the play different. When you’re on the front side of the run as a DE, your job is typically to contain the edge, which should force the runner inside towards the linebackers, who are theoretically waiting to make a tackle. On this play, Griffen doesn’t do a stellar job, but he gets it done. It takes a little while, but he forces King Dunlap perpendicular to the line of scrimmage, which is what you want to do. This means that Woodhead can’t kick the run outside, because Griffen would be able to come free and tackle him in the backfield. Instead, Woodhead has to settle for a run inside, where there isn’t much room and he only gets a yard.
2-1-SD 42 (Q3, 1:48) M.Gordon right guard to SD 40 for -2 yards (E.Griffen).
This play doesn’t show particularly great technique by Griffen, but it does show hustle. He’s unsuccessful at moving King Dunlap, although he also doesn’t let himself get moved, which is a positive. Gordon gets stuffed, but not brought down. Once Griffen sees this, he disengages and rushes towards Gordon, reaching him for the tackle.
2-7-SD 14 (Q4, 7:58) (Shotgun) B.Oliver left end to SD 17 for 3 yards (E.Griffen, S.Stephen).
On this play Griffen does a good job of recovering after getting fooled, and hustles to make the tackle. The Chargers are running a draw play. On a draw play, you have the offensive line block like it’s a pass play, and then wait until the pass rushers are upfield some to hand the ball off. Theoretically, this takes the defensive line out of the play and gives the runner a free lane into the LBs and secondary. On this play, it almost works. Griffen gets too far upfield, and Oliver is able to run through the hole that Griffen vacated. The Vikings defense in general did a good job defending this play. Anthony Barr was able to get into the backfield and dive at Oliver’s legs, which slowed him up even though it didn’t bring him down. Gerald Hodges did a good job of getting in front of the LB to block Oliver’s forward path. Shamar Stephen and Everson Griffen did a good job of catching up to Oliver and making the tackle.
Last Sunday, Everson Griffen was one of, if not the most impressive defender on the Vikings. He created havoc in the pocket on passing downs, and helped put a stop to a number of running plays. He appears to be following up his burst onto the scene in 2014 with another stellar performance in 2015. Time will tell if he can keep up this level of play.
Pages: 1 2
