SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Shaq Griffin could see first start for Seahawks Sunday against Rams

Oct 5, 2017, 2:59 PM

seahawks...

Seahawks' CB Shaq Griffin could start in place of an injured Jeremy Lane Sunday. (AP)

(AP)

“The worst thing you can do in a bad situation is panic.”

That’s what Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin said about trying to remain poised under pressure, and he may soon get his biggest test at that should he get the call to start opposite Richard Sherman in Seattle’s Week 5 game against the Rams.

Shaq Griffin ‘learning something new every day’ from Richard Sherman

Head coach Pete Carroll said the Seahawks likely won’t know the status of starter Jeremy Lane, who suffered a groin pull in Week 4, until the end of the week. Should Lane be held out, Griffin and third-year pro Justin Coleman would see extra playing time, with Griffin likely starting at right corner and Coleman playing at nickelback.

Griffin, 22, has two passes defensed and 15 tackles through four weeks. Sherman in training camp had high praise for Griffin, calling him mentally sharp and incredibly coachable. Griffin said he tries not to overthink bad plays, which is a mindset he had to learn to adapt after a tough freshman season at Central Florida.

“I feel like my whole freshman year of college was like that,” Griffin said. “If I messed up on a play, I kind of put myself down and it felt like it was holding me back. And it got to a point where I’d rather just play fast and try to make plays and make up for it than sit here and give up more plays because I feel bad about the first one.”

He had a trying moment last Sunday when he surrendered an 18-yard touchdown pass from Jacoby Brissett to Colts wide receiver Donte Moncrief. The score gave Indianapolis a 15-10 lead, though Seattle later came out with the win after scoring 36 points in the second half.

“I don’t like losing, and one play is not going to define who I am,” Griffin said of the play. “I remember (Earl Thomas) coming to me after the game saying ‘They finally got you, huh Shaq?’ I said, ‘Yeah, but they woke up something different. I can’t wait until the next game comes.’”

Rams quarterback Jared Goff, who like most quarterbacks who face the Seahawks’ defense isn’t likely to throw in the direction of Sherman, will test Griffin. Griffin, though, says he’s ready for the challenge.

“I love that,” Griffin said. “You know, (Sherman is) getting tired of him not getting any targets. But, I said sooner or later, they’re going to stop throwing at both of us. So, I said (to Sherman), ‘You better be prepared for that, because they’re about to go at both of us. If I get a chance to learn what I’m learning and get better, teams are going to be scared of both sides and there’s going to be nowhere to throw,” Griffin smiled.

“He said, ‘O.K., I like that.’”

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Jackson Powers-Johnson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profiles: ‘The best center’ in the 2024 class

If the Seattle Seahawks want to boost their offensive line, Brock Huard wouldn't mind if they draft Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

13 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Payton Wilson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: ‘Twitched up’ LB fills a need

Next up in Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles is a very intriguing defender in North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell...

Brandon Gustafson

New Seahawks QB Sam Howell describes trade, his role and more

The Seattle Seahawks have a new QB in Sam Howell, and he joined Brock & Salk on Wednesday to describe the trade that sent him to the Hawks.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith quarterback...

Stacy Rost

Are Seahawks really not Super Bowl contenders because of QB?

FOX Sports' Joel Klatt said the Seattle Seahawks "don't have the requisite quarterback play" to be a Super Bowl contender. Is he right?

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks draft profile Bralen Trice UW Huskies...

Brent Stecker

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: Pros, cons of UW DE Bralen Trice

For Day 2 of Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles, the former UW Huskies quarterback when with a name from his alma mater: defensive end Bralen Trice.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith...

Brandon Gustafson

FOX Sports’ Klatt: Seahawks’ quarterbacks ‘are not the answer’

"They don't have the requisite quarterback play to do that," FOX's Joel Klatt said of the Seattle Seahawks being a Super Bowl contender.

3 days ago

Shaq Griffin could see first start for Seahawks Sunday against Rams