By my count, the Pittsburgh Steelers were one of 18 teams that decided to keep three quarterbacks on their initial 53 man roster following the Saturday cuts. While the team certainly didn’t feel the need to waive third-string quarterback Landry Jones and risk losing him, the New Orleans Saints seemed to be following the same path with their third-string quarterback Ryan Griffin until Tuesday when they waived him.
By the looks of things, the Saints wanted to wait a few days for the smoke to clear before waiving Griffin, who they signed last season as an undrafted free agent out of Tulane. The move surprised at least one Saints beat writer as Griffin reportedly gave Luke McCown a good battle during the preseason for the right to backup Drew Brees this season.
Griffin, who completed 48-of-77 passes for 530 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in the preseason, spent most of his rookie season on the Saints practice squad until interest in him from the St. Louis Rams forced New Orleans to sign him to their 53 man roster late last October.
With the Rams now once again thin at the quarterback position thanks to starter Sam Bradford tearing up his knee for a second-straight season, you have to wonder if Griffin would be an upgrade over both Austin Davis and Case Keenum. It should be noted, however, that Keenum was just claimed off of waivers by the Rams following him being turned loose by the Houston Texans after they traded for Ryan Mallett.
The Saints waiting to waive Griffin until Keenum was claimed sure makes it look like they are trying to hide their third-string quarterback.
You see where this post is going, right?
Being as Jones has shown absolutely nothing during his first two preseasons with the Steelers, and being as the organization insist on carrying three quarterbacks on their 53 man roster, general manager Kevin Colbert and company should really consider claiming Griffin off waivers Wednesday and dumping Jones.
Steelers quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner should already know quite a bit about Griffin as he reportedly attended his Pro Day last March and had dinner with him the night before.
“I’m headed to San Diego on April 1 and then Pittsburgh’s quarterback coach is coming to my pro day,” Griffin said prior to his Pro Day. “He’s coming the night before so we can meet and have dinner. Every team can only have a certain number of people come in. He’s coming. Jacksonville’s quarterback coach is coming and the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback coach is coming.”
Colbert has said in the past that he’s never opposed to adding players to the bottom of the roster if he feels it improves the team. He has a perfect opportunity now to put his money where his mouth is by putting in a claim for Griffin as he certainly would be an improvement over Jones. Stay tuned.
