Shaquem Griffin said he has no problem with all the attention he has received as perhaps the biggest story in the 2018 draft. But after what he described as a "whirlwind" of media interviews and an unforgettable experience on draft day, now He has put all his attention in American football. "Now that's all over and it's time to work and make sure I bring in a lot of competition," he said. "[I must] make sure that I give coaches the opportunity to see who I am, to make sure I can do my best and that I can make players better and help everyone I can."
The first step toward that goal came this week, when Griffin joined the other eight Seattle Seahawks draft picks, 15 undrafted free agents and a dozen other players for the start of the three-day rookie minicamp. It was Griffin's first practice with the Seahawks since they selected him in the fifth round of the draft, making him the first player with a hand in modern NFL history to be drafted and reunited him with his twin brother, the cornerback Shaquill Griffin, in the process. "Quem looked very aggressive," coach Pete Carroll said. "We had to stop him in some things at the beginning of the practice, he went very fast so we had to calm him down, but he's very excited to be here, he's a very good prospect, he's big and fast and he had an idea Obviously, [Shaquill] did a little tutor, he was in front of us a little, which was good." Get your daily olbg odds and bet on your favourite team.
The speed the Seahawks had to handle was part of what attracted them to Griffin, who recorded 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard run in the Talent Combination, the fastest time for a linebacker in more than a decade. The Seahawks placed him on the weak side of the linebacker position, where they feel their speed and relatively small size fit better. For now, he is projected to be a substitute for Pro Bowl linebacker K.J. Wright, and compete for a small position on the defense in addition to playing on special teams.
Griffin, registered at 227 pounds, said he has gained a few pounds since the Combined and plans to meet with the strength and conditioning coaches this weekend to make sure he knows what weight they want him to play. "I feel very comfortable there," he explained of playing on the weak side. "When I was at UCF, I played a lot of different positions, so I do not feel bad for moving in. I feel that where they put me right now is a good place, no matter where I play, as long as I get an opportunity to help improve my team in Any aspect, I'll play whatever it is. "