WPost Email: Griffin Pickup Paying Off

[MTK]

The Washington Redskins' defensive coaches were looking for specific attributes when pursuing free agents in the off-season, identifying players they believed would flourish under the aggressive system designed by Gregg Williams, assistant head coach-defense. At the season's midpoint, there is no denying that lineman Cornelius Griffin was a wise choice.

"If somebody is playing better in the league that he is, then I don't know who it would be," Coach Joe Gibbs said of Griffin.

The Redskins paid heavily for Griffin, who spent four years with the New York Giants, giving him a seven-year deal with $31 million, including an $8.3 million signing bonus, and he has responded with a Pro Bowl caliber season. Griffin leads the team with four sacks, including two Sunday in Detroit, and registered six more tackles and deflected two passes in that game. He has been stellar against the run and consistently put pressure on the quarterback as well, helping improve what was a weak defensive line last season into a point of strength on the top rated defense in the NFL.

"I'm just trying to be consistent and try to make plays and help this team win," Griffin said. "That's my job. That's what I get paid to do. I like the system and I think I fit well in the system. It allows me to use what God gave me, which is my ability to make plays and use my speed and quickness."

Griffin believes Williams has found a perfect scheme for him, while Greg Blache, the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, has helped refine the details in his game, particularly his foot and hand technique. Griffin has never registered more than five sacks in a season but should easily surpass that this season, and says he is no longer getting by on his ability alone. Teams have been unable to run against the Redskins well this season, particularly on the inside, and Washington is allowing just 84 yards rushing per game.

-- Jason La Canfora