Michael Griffin will focus on free safety this season after playing both spots for the Titans in 2012.

"My job is to be the angel in the sky," Griffin said. "My role is different now. I just got to watch film, watch the quarterback's eyes and go where the ball's thrown. And if it's a run or whatever, just cap it off. Makes my job much easier." IDP leaguers can usually count on 75-80 tackles and multiple interceptions per season from Griffin, who's well-suited for center field. Bernard Pollard and George Wilson are the top options at strong safety.

Michael Griffin and Bernard Pollard are penciled in as the Titans' starting safeties.

Titans FS Michael Griffin will not be asked to restructure his contract.

The Titans had a five-day window after the Super Bowl to get out of Griffin's $4.5 million in guarantees, but will keep him on the roster as is. Coming off a hugely disappointing season, Griffin is entering only the second year of a five-year, $35 million pact. He'll have to be much better next season to have any shot at collecting his currently scheduled $6.2 million in 2014.

The Titans have a five-day window after the Super Bowl to decide whether or not to retain FS Michael Griffin.

Griffin is due a $3.5 million guaranteed base salary along with a $1 million roster bonus if he is with the Titans five days after the season wraps up. Tennessee slapped the franchise tag on Griffin last offseason before ultimately coming to terms on a five-year, $35 million deal. In his first year of that deal, the soon-to-be 28-year-old graded out as Pro Football Focus' third-worst safety out of 86 qualifying players.

Titans safety Michael Griffin left Sunday's game against the Vikings with an apparent head injury.

Griffin was hurt while making a tackle on Toby Gerhart in the third quarter. He smacked the back of his head on the Minnesota turf. Griffin has been a major part of the Tennessee defensive struggles. Robert Johnson and Jordan Babineaux will handle safety duties.

The Titans will continue to work Michael Griffin at strong safety and Robert Johnson at free safety.

Tennessee likes Johnson's range and play-making ability to go along with Griffin's athleticism and versatility. Jordan Babineaux will continue to work in as the third safety after leading the team in tackles in 2011. Griffin, admittedly, had an underwhelming game in Week 1 against the Patriots. It's an IDP situation to monitor.

Titans signed franchise player FS Michael Griffin to a long-term extension.

There are no details yet on the length or the financial numbers. Griffin ranks fourth among safeties with 17 interceptions over the past five years. For his efforts he's been twice selected to the Pro Bowl (2008, 2010). Griffin has played all 80 games, including 73 starts, since the Titans selected him with the 19th pick in the 2007 draft. He was due to earn $6.2 million under the franchise tag.

Unsigned franchise player Michael Griffin has attended all of the Titans' voluntary OTAs.

Cortland Finnegan was the Titans' franchise player last year and voiced his displeasure about the lack of a long-term deal by skipping out on some workouts. Griffin is taking a different approach and appears content playing out 2012 on his $6.2 million tender.

Titans franchise player Michael Griffin does plan to participate in offseason workouts despite having yet to sign his franchise tender.

He'll sign an injury waiver that covers him in case he gets hurt. Griffin is holding out hope for a long-term extension, but aims to "assume more of a leadership role" following the departures of Cortland Finnegan and Chris Hope. Writers love covering for Saints franchise player Drew Brees, but he could be doing the same in New Orleans without a long-term deal.

Titans assigned the franchise tag to FS Michael Griffin.

This all but ensures that CB Cortland Finnegan is headed to the free agent market. Griffin, 27, has 17 interceptions and seven forced fumbles over the past five seasons and will cost just over $6.2 million under the safety tag. The Titans identified him as more of a priority then Finnegan because of their depth at corner and lack of it at safety. While Griffin is a bit of a timid tackler, he is one of the better "centerfield" playmakers in football.

The Nashville Tennessean confirms the Titans are expected to place the franchise tag on free agent FS Michael Griffin before Monday's deadline.

A league source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter that the Titans are likely to use their franchise tag on FS Michael Griffin by Monday's deadline for tags to be applied.

Whereas it would have cost Tennessee over $10 million to use the cornerback tag on free agent Cortland Finnegan, the safety tag only costs about $6.2 million. The Titans have Alterraun Verner in place to start for Finnegan, but safeties with playmaking ability like Griffin's are hard to come by. Griffin would be the third NFL safety tagged so far, joining Tyvon Branch and Dashon Goldson.

The Titans have had "some preliminary" discussions with free agent FS Michael Griffin regarding a long-term deal.

Griffin will be a franchise tag candidate if no deal is struck, and has stated publicly that he's open to it. Otherwise, the Patriots and Rams have been floated as potential suitors. Though Griffin struggles as a tackler, he's showed big-play ability throughout his career and can play both safety and corner.

Free agent FS Michael Griffin says he'd be open to playing under the franchise tag in 2012.

A reshuffled Titans' front office has stayed silent on its intentions for the franchise tag, but tagging Griffin would cost an affordable $6.2 million. If the Titans are resigned to losing fellow free agent Cortland Finnegan, tagging Griffin would be wise if no long-term accord can be reached. Otherwise, a pass defense that was middling last season could enter 2012 without the two long-time linchpins of its secondary.

ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss believes the Patriots might be interested in free agent FS Michael Griffin if he hits the open market.

More specifically, Reiss thinks Griffin's durability and flexibility makes him the type of player who would typically be "near the top of the Patriots' wish list." Likely in the market for safety help, the Pats figure to do their homework on all free agent safeties.

Titans FS Michael Griffin indicated on Twitter Saturday that he doesn't anticipate re-signing with Tennessee this offseason.

"My last game at LP (Field)," he tweeted. "Got to make it a good one. Let's go Titans." Griffin is in the final year of his contract, and the Titans have apparently told him they have no plans to extend the deal. While Griffin has been a playmaker for Tennessee, the rest of his game has been inconsistent. In fairness, this has been one of the better seasons of his career.

Titans FS Michael Griffin (elbow) had X-rays taken that returned negative on Monday, and despite tearing some ligaments he apparently won't miss any time.

The bye in Week 6 helps his cause, and with SS Chris Hope out this is excellent news for a unit that just got carved up by Ben Roethlisberger. The Titans get the Texans in Week 7, who could be getting Andre Johnson back.

Titans FS Michael Griffin revealed that he tore ligaments in his elbow during Sunday's loss to the Steelers.

His status for Week 7 against Houston is uncertain, but the Titans are already missing SS Chris Hope. They have a welcomed bye in Week 6. Griffin, who says he'll try to play through it, has 21 tackles on the season. Jordan Babineaux is now the starting strong safety. Anthony Smith is behind Griffin at free.

Michael Griffin told 104.9 The Horn in Austin that he believes no team has been affected more by the lockout than the Titans.

"I think the Tennessee Titans right now may be in the worst situation of all teams," Griffin said. The Titans have two brand-new coordinators and a new quarterback. Coach Mike Munchak's take was predictably less grim: "We've got great coaches here and good workers as players ... Once they get in here, no matter what the time frame is, I think we should have no problem catching up."

Titans FS Michael Griffin led the NFL with 17 missed tackles in 2010, according to Pro Football Focus.

Griffin still finished second on the team with 108 combined tackles. After a miserable 2009 season, Griffin bounced back with an excellent first half before fading in December. He's entering a contract year in 2011.