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It’s 2020, and it is still a very bad idea to leave Shaquem Griffin unblocked.
Griffin made the New York Jets pay on Sunday when he came around on a stunt, charged through a huge hole in the Jets’ offensive line and took down QB Sam Darnold, recording the first regular-season sack of his NFL career. Here’s the clip:
Shaquem Griffin flew in for the sack @Shaquemgriffin @Seahawks
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 13, 2020
#NYJvsSEA on CBS pic.twitter.com/zZaDrGJ8jM
That is, of course, not Griffin’s first-ever sack as a pro. The only other one of his career was a rather memorable takedown of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers during the playoffs this past January, complete with Shaquill Griffin diving in on the action just behind his twin brother.
Shaquem Griffin with his first ever sack on a big third down play!#SEAvsGB pic.twitter.com/I7aFHxLmL0
— Trap Game Sports Podcast (@TrapGameSports) January 13, 2020
Shaquem is now in his third NFL season. He has been a situational pass-rusher and special teams player during his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks. He hasn’t played many snaps on defense in recent weeks — just eight such snaps in his last six games prior to today — but he made the most of his opportunity here in Week 14.
As if you need to be reminded, Shaquem was one of the greatest pass-rushers in UCF Knights history. His 18.5 career sacks rank him in a tie for 10th-most in program history. But keep in mind that Griffin was a full-time defensive player for only the last two seasons of his four-year stint on the field at UCF.