It goes without saying that the Seattle Seahawks have undergone some major changes this offseason. Perhaps the most notable difference is the absence of cornerback Richard Sherman.
Fortunately, head coach Pete Carroll is optimistic that cornerback Shaquill Griffin will serve as a viable replacement. According to Brady Henderson of ESPN, Griffin was adamant about being able to adjust to his new position:
“Oh no, it’s not an issue,” Griffin said. “Just moving over. It’s a little different step for me, but nothing that I can’t focus on.”
Carroll added that Griffin's background on playing both sides of the field has made it an easy transition.
“Physically it was no problem,” Carroll said. “He had played back and forth in earlier years. His mentality about it was fine; he was wide open to it. That’s most of it. If a guy feels uncomfortable and he’s telling you he’s feeling uncomfortable, then he is. He never balked at it at all, and there’s no signs of any evidence at all that it’s going to be a problem.”
It is encouraging to see that all parties feel he is up to the task. Griffin is coming off a strong rookie campaign where he registered 59 tackles, an interception, 15 pass defenses, and even a sack. He spent the season playing on the right side of the field. The former third-round pick is now poised for an integral role in Seattle's new-look defense.
Griffin will have some big shoes to fill in just his second year. Sherman was not only the outspoken leader of the Seahawks' defense, but he was also the premier shutdown corner of his generation. That said, there is much more to the job than just switching from right to left cornerback. A good place to start for Griffin will be locking down his area of the field this coming season.
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