Defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin has been named the 2004 Quarterback Club Redskins Player of the Year. He was awarded the honor at the Quarterback Club's annual dinner and Player of the Year presentation at the Sheraton Premiere in Tyson's Corner on Tuesday night.
Griffin, in his first year with the Redskins after signing as an unrestricted free agent from the New York Giants last March, has started 12 games this year. He has posted 83 tackles (56 solo), a remarkable 12 tackles for a loss, four sacks and one fumble recovery.
"This is for the entire defense," Griffin, 28, told television reporters following the event.
Griffin has been a key part of a Redskins' defense that, through 13 games, is ranked second overall in yardage allowed, third overall in rushing yards allowed and sixth overall in points allowed.
Also nominated for the award were linebacker Antonio Pierce and cornerbacks Fred Smoot and Shawn Springs. Smoot was the 2003 winner of the award.
Griffin, a fifth-year player out of Alabama, is the second Redskins defensive tackle in three years to win the award. Daryl Gardener won the award in 2002. Linebacker LaVar Arrington won in 2001.
Griffin has had several huge games this season. In Week 2 against the Giants, in his first game against his former team, he recorded 12 tackles. Four weeks later against Chicago, he logged 10 tackles and two sacks, both in the Bears' final possession. In Week 9 against Detroit, he recorded seven tackles and two sacks.
