The Houston Texans have brought in a handful of veteran castaways in an attempt to fill out their young roster and complement exuberance with experience.
One such example is cornerback Shaquill Griffin. He’s provided ample depth for the Houston secondary and played fairly well when his number was called, particularly in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he notched three pass breakups.
Griffin was given another shot after a tumultuous stay with the AFC South rival Jacksonville Jaguars, where he didn’t catch an interception in two seasons. Sustaining a vertebral fracture last year, it’s possible he could have gone unsigned this past spring.
At the bye week, his Texans are 3-3 and capturing the hearts of the football world. Griffin is just happy to be a part of it.
“The main thing I’ve been showing is I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help this organization win,” Griffin said. “I don’t think it’s just about me. I ain’t start off just at corner, I came in, I’ve been in the league seven years now, I’m playing special teams for the first time! But I did it because I love this organization for bringing me in and giving me an opportunity, especially as a person who was dealing with back injuries, back surgery.”
He’s been a decent special teams asset in addition to the help he’s brought to the defense, mostly working on return units.
“For a team to bring me in with open arms and believe in me,” Griffin added. “Shoot, I’ll do anything they need me to: offense, defense, special teams – waterboy, I’ll do it.
“That’s the part I bring to the game, no matter where I’m at, I’m just willing to do whatever it takes”
Being welcomed into this Houston locker room means living by the principles first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans employs: a winning mindset and growing week-over-week. By all accounts, Griffin has done just that.
He’ll have the chance to prove himself further against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8.
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