Shaquill Griffin happy to see Seahawks letting twin Shaquem ‘do what does’

Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin has finally found a way to get some defensive snaps for Seattle, which means for the first time in his two-year NFL career, he’s playing side-by-side with his twin brother on defense.

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Shaquill Griffin, the Seahawks’ third-year cornerback, has been enjoying a breakout season and played himself into the Pro Bowl conversation. But when he joined 710 ESPN Seattle’s Bob, Dave and Moore for a Player Spotlight interview that aired Tuesday, he was just as happy to talk about what his brother has done over the last two games.

Shaquem Griffin saw the field for 11 plays on defense in Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers as a situational pass rusher, and the Seahawks liked what they saw enough that he had 25 defensive snaps – 33% of Seattle’s plays on defense – in a win over Philadelphia on Sunday. He was a noticeable contributor for the Hawks, too, coming up with a solo tackle and two QB hits as well as a fumble return that was nullified due to a penalty.

“It’s been crazy just to see him out there,” said Shaquill, who has played alongside his twin at every level, including in college at Central Florida. “It’s a feeling that we’ve been looking forward to for a long time and it’s awesome to see the organization give him a chance and let him do what does, and that’s just play fast. …  And then when he lines up on the same side as me, it’s a great feeling. I remember my mom texted me after the game, was just like it just gave her chills to see us on the same side again. It’s just awesome to see him actually make the plays that he’s been making.”

There’s one milestone that Shaquem has yet to reach, even though he nearly pulled it off several times against the Eagles – his first NFL sack.

“He’s getting so close,” Shaquill said. “I remember before the game (it was like) ‘He’s going to get his first sack this game.’ He was getting so close, so man, I’m just looking forward to it. He’s going to continue to make plays.”

Even though it’s a big deal already for the Griffin brothers to play on the field at the same time in Seahawks uniforms, they’re hoping they can build on that to the point that Shaquem will have a sack and Shaquill will make an interception in the same game.

“We still got some games left. It could possibly still happen,” Shaquill said. “I just know every time he makes a play, it makes me want to make a play, so that’s that little rivalry we’ve always had. … It’s cool to have that little friendly competition on the field. It’s good to have that back.”

Diggs’ immediate impact for Seahawks

Another player who has had a big part in Seattle’s last two wins is safety Quandre Diggs, who hit the field for the Seahawks in Week 10 after his team debut was delayed by a few games due to a hamstring injury that lingered following Seattle’s acquisition of him in a trade from the Detroit Lions.

Diggs, who was a Pro Bowl alternate a season ago, made an interception in the victory over the 49ers and recovered a fumble in the win over the Eagles, and the Seahawks maybe not so coincidentally have played their two best games on defense since Diggs joined the fray.

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Griffin stressed how important it’s been for him to know there is a safety of Diggs’ caliber behind him in the secondary.

“He brings another flavor to it. More speed, more energy, and he’s just a playmaker,” Griffin said. “He’s always around the ball. He’ll come down to hit anybody he needs to and I feel like that’s the biggest part. We need guys who will sit there and roam in that back end and actually come down and make some really great hits, and he just knows how to get the ball in his hands. When you have a safety like that who contributes and brings the ball back and creates turnovers, when I’m on that side I have no issues, I feel no pressure.

“I feel comfortable… when I got a guy I know for sure is gonna have my back.”

You can hear the full interview with Griffin at this link or in the player below.

Follow 710 ESPN Seattle’s Bob, Dave and Moore on Twitter.

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