Everson Griffen has five sacks in six games. It's still early, but already his name is invoked in conversations about this season's NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidates.
The Vikings' defensive end can attribute much of his continued development this season to the Minneapolis-based "Movement Miyagi" — also known as Shawn Myszka.
Griffen has worked extensively with Myszka over the past four years to "master the fluid movement and sensory awareness Bruce Lee made famous with his style of Jeet Kune Do."
The full story of their work together is in my Sunday profile about Griffen and his quest to get after another player known for his instincts and elusiveness, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Vikings and Packers play on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium — a game pitting one of the most dangerous pass rushers against one of the most mobile and effective quarterbacks.
Griffen's strip sack of Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky on Monday night was a demonstration of how Griffen has been able to be so disruptive this season. It could be a clue into what he may try to execute against the Packers, as well.
— Griffen is off the line before anyone else is moving.
— He swats away Charles Leno while angling around the corner.
— He takes a slicing step toward Mitch Trubisky.
— He leaves his feet to swat the ball.
— His strip sack sets up the Vikings' first points of the game.
That was Trubisky. This is Rodgers, an entirely different challenge. "Everything [with the Packers] starts with '12,' " Griffen said. "His reaction time, his ability to scramble, that just gives you another dimension. He's like a running back. You've got to treat him like one, kind of, because he can get out of the pocket and run."