Cedric

Griffin

Asher Allen got the start before Griffin came on for the second series and finished the game. “Disciplined for something that from my standpoint we have to be right on,” coach Leslie Frazier said. “He understands that, and we move on.”

Beat writer Jeremy Fowler believes the Vikings are considering keeping Griffin despite a terrible 2011 season. While staying in Minnesota would have to accompany a pay cut, Griffin could be worth a look at safety. He’s 6-foot and 203, a solid tackler when healthy, and was viewed as a safety by some teams coming out of Texas. His current scheduled salary is $4.1 million.

Griffin emptied the contents of his locker into the trash four days after putting his Eden Prairie house up for sale. After reportedly struggling to stay disciplined within the Vikings’ Tampa-2 scheme last season, Griffin will likely be released to avoid a $4.1 million salary.

Griffin was set to make $4.1 million after struggling in 2011, but ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports the Vikes hope to re-sign him at a lower salary. Between the release of Griffin and guards Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera, the Vikings have cleared roughly $13 million in cap space. Griffin was an asset against the run last season, but struggled in coverage and with penalties. His release speaks volumes about his play since the Vikings could be without CB Chris Cook in 2012 depending on the outcome of his domestic assault trial.

Griffin is a poor bet to remain on the Week 1 roster at $4.1 million, but the Vikings could opt to keep him around as insurance until they find an upgrade in free agency or via the draft.

DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson are both still under contract in Washington, so Griffin either wouldn’t be a starter or the Redskins would be making a move or shuffling the depth chart. Griffin has yet to line up any other known visits.

Part of last week’s Vikings veteran purge, Griffin lands with a team that already has two veteran starting corners under contract in DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson. Griffin has torn both ACLs since January 2010, but arguably had his best year since 2008 last season. Even if he is the Skins’ nickel back, he should be in line for plenty of snaps. It’s also possible Griffin could see time at safety, where many NFL clubs preferred him coming out of Texas.

Griffin is a shoo-in release candidate because he’s owed $4.1 million in 2012 salary and was benched several times in 2011. Griffin has been tormented in coverage since tearing his MCL and ACL in the NFC Championship Game three Januaries ago. Look for him to be released before free agency opens in March.

Griffin wasn’t on the Week 13 injury report, but didn’t play in the base defense during the Vikings’ final two possessions in Sunday’s loss to the Broncos. Griffin is due a $4.1 million base salary in 2012. We suspect he’ll be cut.

In last week’s win over the Panthers, the Vikings had Allen shadow Steve Smith all over the field. It was a sign that the staff no longer trusts Griffin, who is coming off ACL surgery. Coach Leslie Frazier admitted Monday that he will have a discussion about who should be starting opposite Antoine Winfield.