Tag: Everson Griffen

Vikings’ Everson Griffen reveals diagnosis of bipolar disorder

Vikings defensive lineman Everson Griffen says he has been diagnosed as bipolar

Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Everson Griffen posted on his Instagram Friday that he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Griffen, who on Nov. 24 was involved in a scary incident at his home that saw authorities take hours to coax him out safely, said he is going to become an advocate for mental health.

eversongriffen
Verified

It’s true I am bipolar. I will embrace it and I will be an advocate for mental health. I been running from it a long time. I’m not ashamed of it anymore. It all started when my mother passed away. Went into a dark place, thought I was great for many years. I promise this time I will do everything the experts say. I love my family and I miss my friends. Thank you for all the love and support, but most of all thank you for all the prayers. #bEGreat #mentalhealthawareness

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXCowLYFGtl/

Griffen was placed on the non-football illness reserve list on Nov. 26. He will miss his second straight game on Sunday at Detroit.

Vikings place DE Everson Griffen on Reserve/Non-Football Illness

The Vikings announced on Friday that they placed DE Everson Griffen on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list.

The Vikings announced on Friday that they placed DE Everson Griffen on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list.

Minnesota already announced that Griffen would be out for the Vikings’ game against the 49ers in Week 12. Griffen’s placement on this list means that he will miss at least three games.

After there was a video of Griffen holding a gun on his Instagram account, the Vikings defensive end came out of his home without incident on Wednesday, law enforcement told the Vikings. 

Earlier on Wednesday, team representatives and mental health professionals were at Griffen’s home in cooperation with law enforcement. If you want to read more about the situation, you can here.

The Vikings are thin at defensive line. Minnesota placed Dalvin Tomlinson, the starting three-technique defensive tackle, on the COVID-19/Reserve list earlier this week. He still resided there as of Friday morning.

Griffen has five sacks in nine games this year. He worked his way into the starting lineup after signing with the Vikings late last offseason.

Vikings Friday injury report: one out, three questionable

Here is the Vikings’ Friday injury report:

As the Vikings get closer to their matchup with the 49ers on Sunday, Minnesota’s safety depth remains unsettled.

Minnesota ruled safeties Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus questionable for the game in San Francisco. G Wyatt Davis is also questionable for Week 12.

DE Everson Griffen is out for the game.

A video of Griffen holding a gun appeared on his Instagram account, he came out of his home without incident on Wednesday, law enforcement told the Vikings. Earlier that day, Minnesota’s representatives and mental health professionals had been at Griffen’s home, cooperating with law enforcement. If you want to read more about the situation, you can here.

The Vikings will have to play on Sunday without Griffen, Danielle Hunter, and possibly other starters. The Vikings placed DT Dalvin Tomlinson, the starting three-technique defensive tackle, on the COVID-19/Reserve list. He still resided there as of Friday morning.

At 5-5, Minnesota will have to pull off an upset on the road against an also-streaking San Francisco team.

Vikings DE Everson Griffen came out of home without incident

Law enforcement informed the Vikings that Everson Griffen came out of his house and is now getting the help he needs.

Law enforcement informed the Minneosta Vikings that Everson Griffen came out of his house and is now getting the help he needs, the team announced Wednesday.

“We are thankful to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnetrista Police Department and the Orono Police Department for their quick response and dedication to ensuring the situation ended peacefully,” the Vikings said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, the Vikings announced that their representatives and mental health professionals had been on-site at Everson Griffen’s home since early in the morning and were cooperating with law enforcement after a video of him holding a gun appeared on Griffen’s Instagram account.

(Editors note: the video below is disturbing and graphic.)

Griffen’s Instagram video is no longer up. However, the clip was saved and posted on YouTube. As reported by KSTP.com, Griffen’s Instagram account also had text conversations that read “I need help” and “people are trying to kill me.”

Griffen has played all but one of his 12 NFL seasons in Minnesota.

Vikings’ Everson Griffen willingly leaves home after standoff

Everson Griffen is out of his house and getting help after a scary incident, according to the Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings released a statemen Wednesday afternoon saying defensive lineman Everson Griffen has left his home after a standoff with authorities, is safe, and getting help.

“Shortly after 1:30 pm (Central)this afternoon, Everson Griffen came out of his residence without incident,” Minnetrista police said. “He was transported by ambulance to an area heath care facility where he is receiving appropriate care.”

“We got him the necessary help that he needs and … care of medical professionals,” said Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman, who was outside Griffen’s house for part of the day.

The team released a more formal statement, thanking authorities.

“Law enforcement agencies have notified us Everson Griffen came out of his home without incident and is now getting the care he needs,” the Vikings said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. “We are thankful to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnetrista Police Department and the Orono Police Department for their quick response and dedication to ensuring the situation ended peacefully. Our focus remains on Everson’s health and safety and providing the proper resources for him and his family.”

From the AP report:

Griffen, who took a leave from the team in 2018 for mental health treatment, had posted on Instagram screenshots of middle-of-the-night text messages to his agent, Brian Murphy, that were pleas for help because he said people were trying to kill him. Griffen also posted a video depicting him with a gun that he said was purchased legally. Those posts have since been deleted.

The 12th-year player initially refused to come out of his house because he feared intruders. Police said they were confident Griffen was alone in the home as they worked to resolve the situation.

The incident began overnight when Griffen called the police and said an intruder had come into his suburban Minneapolis home. However, authorities did not find anyone on the grounds.

Griffen told the 911 dispatcher that he fired a weapon but that no one was injured.

During the hours-long standoff, Griffen posted videos showing himself with a gun, saying teammate Dalvin Cook had helped him purchase it.

At practice Wednesday, Cook said he had no knowledge of why Griffen referenced him.

“Since I got here, he was one of the older guys that took me under his wings and taught me, ‘This is what you don’t do, this is how you do it, this is how you take care of your body,'” Cook said. “Just how to be a pro. Appreciate him for that, for the little things he did. Since he got back, our relationship has gotten stronger. He’s been trying to win games. We’ve been on the same mission, all of us, just trying to win games, trying to get better, trying to lead this team in the right way. So we are definitely close. That’s my brother. I just want him to be OK. In his mind, make sure his family is OK. I just want what’s best for Everson overall.”

Vikings release statement on DE Everson Griffen’s Instagram video with gun

The Vikings released a statement on Wednesday pertaining to Everson Griffen.

The Vikings announced that their representatives and mental health professionals have been on-site at Everson Griffen’s home since early this morning and are cooperating with law enforcement after a video of him holding a gun appeared on Griffen’s Instagram account.”Our only concern at this time is the safety and well-being of Everson and his family,” the Vikings wrote in a statement on Wednesday. “We will have further comment at the appropriate time.”

(Editors note of caution: the video is disturbing and graphic.)

Griffen’s video is no longer up on his Instagram, but was saved to YouTube.  Via KSTP.com, his Instagram account also showed text conversations that read “I need help” and “people are trying to kill me.”

The team has showed concern for his mental health in the past, with Griffen getting kicked out of practice and ending up in the hospital in 2018 after what a team official called “explosive screaming and yelling” from Griffen, per a police report.

5 Vikings players who pose biggest threat to Chargers

Highlighting a few Minnesota Vikings players who could make it difficult for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers take on the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday at 2:05 p.m. PT.

Here are a few Vikings players who the Bolts must hone in on to increase their chances of coming out victorious in Week 10.

RB Dalvin Cook

Despite facing a civil lawsuit from an ex-girlfriend accusing him of assault, battery and false imprisonment, Cook is still expected to play. The stats might not justify it, but the Chargers’ run defense has slowly improved since Justin Jones’ return. However, there’s no denying that Cook is the most superior back in that timespan. Even though he only has two touchdowns on the season, Cook has a knack for churning yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. With his explosiveness and elusiveness, one bad angle, one slow read could end up being costly.

WRs Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson

Expect Minnesota to resort to its ground game often. But given that the Chargers could be without Michael Davis and/or Asante Samuel Jr. again, Kirk Cousins will likely look to take advantage of a thin cornerback room. Thielen has 45 receptions for 477 yards and seven touchdowns this season, while Jefferson has 46 catches for 632 yards and four scores. Both are capable of getting open and making plays at any given moment with their speed and crafty route-running.

EDGE Everson Griffen

Danielle Hunter, who had 31 quarterback pressures and six sacks, would have been included. However, he suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 8 and will miss the remainder of the season. Despite the Vikings’ loss, Griffen’s partner in crime has been wreaking havoc. Griffen has 30 pressures and five sacks in 364 snaps this season. While the Chargers’ protection plan was better last weekend against the Eagles, Griffen is more than capable of doing damage.

S Xavier Woods

Not only could Justin Herbert potentially be in the face of pressure, but he will also have someone in Minnesota’s secondary seeking to eliminate his pass-catching targets and looking to turn the ball over. The addition of Woods has paid dividends for the Vikings, as he has been a role that caters to his strengths, giving him the ability to play closer to the line instead of as a deep safety as he played with the Cowboys. As a result, Woods has a sack, two interceptions, and allows a passer rating of just 31.4.

Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Week 6 with Vikings Wire

It’s almost been one year since the Panthers and Vikings have met. So what’s been going on with Minnesota since then? We asked Vikings Wire managing editor @JackWhiteMN ahead of the Week 6 matchup.

Even though the Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings just saw each other last season, things have changed a little bit on both sides. So it’s time to reintroduce ourselves.

We mixed it up with Vikings Wire managing editor Jack White to see what the Panthers’ Week 6 opponents are currently up to heading into Sunday.

Panthers Wire: With the recent (and unsurprising) struggles along the Panthers’ offensive front, Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter will certainly be of particular interest in this matchup. What makes him one of the league’s most destructive wrecking balls?

Vikings Wire: Hunter has a variety of ways to attack opposing offensive lines.

He can vary his speed well, he has a good rip move, he has a good spin move. Draft analysts tabbed Hunter as a raw prospect out of college, and he didn’t produce absurd numbers at LSU.

However, he’s honed his craft at the NFL level and has transformed into one of the best edge rushers in the game. Even better: he’s only 26. Hunter’s absence from 2020, due to injury, was likely the biggest loss for the team in 2020.

PW: The rest of that Minnesota defensive line isn’t full of slouches either. What have the additions of guys like Dalvin Tomlinson and Everson Griffen done for the unit thus far?

VW: I think Tomlinson has probably under performed. The Vikings signed Tomlinson to be a three-technique player, despite his most productive position being nose tackle. He hasn’t been getting pressure on a regular basis.

Griffen, though, has exceeded expectations. Griffen reunited with the Vikings this offseason, and he’s looked like the Griffen of old so far. He has four sacks already, playing his way into the starting edge rusher spot opposite Hunter.

PW: Speaking of Dalvins, that guy who carries the ball is a pretty okay player. He’s also cut from a similar cloth to Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, as they’re both a nightmare for defenses on the ground and through the air. How does his presence affect what the Vikings do on offense?

VW: Under Mike Zimmer’s leadership, the Vikings have been a run-heavy team, so it helps to have a player like Cook.

He’s explosive. He can beat defenses with his speed, but also has a power to his game. He might be the most balanced running back in the NFL. He can thrive in the receiving game at times, but he mostly catches screens and dump offs.

If he was as good as McCaffrey in the receiving game, the Vikings might have the best running back in the NFL. But the team still has a good one in Cook. The biggest drawback is how many injuries he’s had during his NFL career already. However, he should be ready for Week 6.

PW: In the same breath, both McCaffrey and Cook have dealt with numerous injuries in their careers, perhaps, due to heavy workloads. And even though they’re clearly special players, do you think this is a warning of sorts for teams looking to pay running backs?

VW: I think it is. Whenever a team relies on a running back, it can be trouble.

The Vikings have an explosive offense, but so much of it is dependent upon Cook staying healthy. Running back is such a physically demanding position.

There is, of course, a long track record of team’s extending running backs who end up not living up to their large deals. The whole theory behind “running backs don’t matter” is that a running back who’s top tier needs to stay healthy and needs an offensive line that can run block.

Not much separates an average running back and an elite one, compared to quarterback and other premium positions. When you put too many eggs in the running back basket, there ends up being a lot of factors outside your control.

Minnesota would probably be better off allocating some of Cook’s money to other positions. But Cook is still great, and this current Minnesota team, with the way it’s constructed, needs him.

PW: We’ve gone over a handful of premier names for the Vikings. So is there one player, who isn’t as heralded, Panthers fans might want to keep a mental note of heading into Sunday?

VW: I think Eric Kendricks might be underrated around the league. He may be the best off-ball linebacker in the entire NFL. Last game, he made a one-handed interception.

There’s also Tyler Conklin, a player who’s become the primary tight end after Irv Smith Jr. went down with what is likely a season-ending injury. Conklin has played well in relief. 

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Vikings Co-DC Andre Patterson talks about Everson Griffen starting

Based on Vikings co-defensive coordinator Andre Patterson’s comments, Everson Griffen will continue to start if he keeps playing well.

D.J. Wonnum was coming off a promising rookie year. Last offseason, Minnesota did not worry too much about the defensive end spot opposite Danielle Hunter — until the team re-signed Everson Griffen.

Wonnum earned starting reps at first, but last game Griffen took his old starting position back. Minnesota co-defensive coordinator Andre Patterson talked about Griffen earning the spot:

“You judge him off of how he played on the other two teams (the Cowboys and the Lions),” Patterson said. “To me, he didn’t look like the Everson that I know and love. (Now,) he looks like Ev. You know, Zim and I got together late last week and said ‘hey, you know, he’s playing like the Pro-Bowl Ev that we know. And because of that, we should start him, but not change our plan that we have for him.'”

Asked whether the plan is to have Griffen starting still, Patterson responded with an “oh yeah.”

“He deserves it,” Patterson said. “If you’re playing good and you should be starting, then you should be starting. It’s nothing against D.J. — D.J. is getting better and playing good.”

The Vikings starting Griffen makes sense. The edge rusher has four sacks and six QB hits already. He has a PFF grade of 74.8. Wonnum got his first sack of the year against the Lions in Week 5. Maybe Wonnum can build off that success and take over the starting spot down the road.

For now, the 33-year-old Griffen resembles a younger version of himself. I’m sure Minnesota has no regrets about signing him late in free agency.

Stock up, stock down from the Vikings’ win over the Seahawks

A lot of Vikings players raised their stock on Sunday, including the quarterback in this picture.

Minnesota surprised some people on Sunday.

After two consecutive close losses, the Vikings notched their record to 1-2 with an upset victory over the Seahawks.

This game had the makings of another disappointment. Minnesota was missing Dalvin Cook, its star running back. The Vikings also got down 17-7 in the first half.

It was easy to look at the start of this game and think “same old Vikings.” Instead Minnesota got the win, and plenty of players raised their stock in the process: