UCF held its pro day Thursday and 31 teams from around the NFL came out in part to watch linebacker Shaquem Griffin work out, per ESPN’s Josina Anderson. The Titans and Saints have already visited with the linebacker who captivated many at the Scouting Combine by running the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds and putting up 20 reps on the bench press with a prosthetic hand.
ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported that Griffin has been invited to the upcoming NFL Draft after a struggle to just get invited to the Scouting Combine. The 49ers were the only team not in attendance Thursday. Laine noted that most teams see Griffin as a weakside inside linebacker at the next level. His brother, Shaquill Griffin, is a cornerback for the Seahawks.
“I was a guy who was under the radar who they didn’t believe in at first but I feel like they’re starting to believe now,” Griffin said Thursday, via Laine. “I have the entire nation behind me now.”
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- While speaking with ESPN’s Vaughn McLure, former NFL agent Joel Corry opined that Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is likely to get $100MM in total guarantees, including $85MM guaranteed at signing, whenever he signs his new deal — based off previous quarterback deals. Both the Falcons and Ryan’s agent, Tom Condon, who also represents Drew Brees and Matthew Stafford, haven’t set a timetable on a possible deal. Curry believes that means that Ryan’s asking price is too high for the Falcons. Curry also doesn’t expect Ryan to take a hometown discount.
- Mike Wallace‘s one-year deal with the Eagles is worth $1.92MM in guaranteed money and he can make up to $2.09MM with incentives, per Sheil Kapadia of The Athletic (on Twitter). Wallace got a signing bonus of $1MM and will make $915K in base salary.
- NFL Draft analyst Benjamin Albright suggested (on Twitter) that mock drafts have Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick going too high and Boston College pass-rusher Harold Landry going too low, based off sources he’s spoken to.
- Doug Kyed of NESN opines that people shouldn’t be surprised if former undrafted rookie Cole Croston competes for the Patriots‘ starting left tackle spot if they’re unable to address the position properly with the No. 31 overall pick in the draft. Croston, an Iowa alum, appeared in three games last season as a rookie. Both of the Patriots’ tackles from last season — Nate Solder and Cameron Fleming — have departed in free agency this offseason.
I am okay with Matt Ryan’s new guaranteed money as long as he guarantees us he won’t choke again during critical moments.
I can’t believe he won’t take a home town discount. I think the falcons have given him a lot with not very much success in return. Specifically in the playoffs.
Right? Like would he change the team at this point in his career? Also, I don’t think he would’ve had similar success without Julio Jones.
Agreed. Though heck, I think most of the QBs need to tone it back. Their contracts are worth the same as several Pro Bowlers. It’s an obvious hinder for the team and the QB. Especially when the front line goes missing and the QB takes on too many sakes and thus gets injured.
Always love it when fans are shocked that someone won’t give them a hometown discount. Unless you’re married to an underwear model millionaire, it’s just not likely gonna happen.
It just that many of us are not all that excited about resigning Matt Ryan and yet his side comes out and says no hometown discount. It is shockingly annoying.
I am not sure if fans from other major teams have tolerance for a QB who is just good enough and lacks clutch.
I do understand paying money for Matt Ryan is like paying top dollar at an airport. But 100M guarantee price tag sure makes you want to put it back.
*top dollar for a beer
This is gonna be fun.
1. Shockingly annoying he won’t take a hometown discount? Funny no one said this about Stafford, or Rodgers. The dude just won the MVP 2 seasons ago, he’s a top 10 QB and deserves to be paid like one. Let’s flip the role you work for a company for 10 years they want to offer you a raise but you can make more somewhere else, why would you take a discount? You wouldn’t.
2. Just good enough but lacks clutch… ok ok uhhh he’s 11th all time in 4th quarter comebacks, doesn’t mean everything but he’s lead the Falcons to the NFC Championship a couple of times and a super bowl which they could’ve won.
Either you know absolutely nothing about football or you just hate the guy
1. If my QB was Rodgers, I have no problem with him not taking a hometown discount. He makes everyone around him better. (Like Julio would make any QB look good)
As for Stafford, he is not nearly as good as Rodgers but then again he is decent enough and when was last time Detroit made to PO before Stafford arrived? (Not saying it’s all him but still)
Matt Ryan is top 10 QB. But rarely people consider him as top 5 QB (except for last season) and yet he wants #1 money after a mediocre season.
I don’t disagree with your company logic, but it is just as difficult for him to leave this team for different /reason. Sure he could get more money by going to teams like NYJ or CLE that could pay him, but it won’t as attractive to him than staying in ATL.
2. You clearly do not watch Falcons games. You can make many QBs look good by selectively choosing stats. Many of 4th comebacks were orchestrated early in his careers. Did you see his last 3 yrs? (Maybe not too bad in SB yr) There were so many times when D got the ball back to him and Matt Ryan just gave the ball away. (Maybe he had to go home early)
As far as NFC championship games, look how many supporting casts he had around him. (Tony G, Roddy White, Julio Jones) Guys like Tom Brady or Rodgers don’t need them to be successful. I have no problem giving top $ to those guys.
Matt Ryan to me is an award-winning (name only) mediocre apartment that you are not excited to renew due to repeated unresolved issues throughout the stay. Then the Mgmt jacks up the price and says no discount for existing renters.
So, which team didn’t watch him workout?
Falcons, go get Gronk! Just saying!