Vikings DE Everson Griffen will report to camp as a linebacker, and could be in for a permanent position switch depending on how he performs in the preseason.

The Vikings decided to make the switch on the final day of minicamp. Buried on the depth chart behind workhorses Jared Allen and Brian Robison at end, Griffen was productive as a pass-rusher in limited snaps as a linebacker last season. He's already shed 10 pounds from his 273-pound frame in anticipation of the conversion. If Griffen impresses in camp and the Vikings follow through on the switch, he'll be an intriguing long-term prospect in IDP dynasty leagues.

Vikings coaches are looking for ways to get DE Everson Griffen on the field more in 2012.

The athletic Griffen was used at linebacker in certain third-down situations last year, racking up 14 QB pressures in limited snaps. The Vikes will look to increase those looks this year. Jared Allen and Brian Robison are entrenched as the starters at defensive end.

Vikings DE Everson Griffin played only 25.3 percent of the team's 2011 defensive snaps, but finished fourth on the team in sacks (4.0) and racked up 14 quarterback pressures.

Beat writer Tom Pelissero is adamant Griffen deserves more playing time, but the Vikings haven't found creative ways to do it. Per Pelissero, who charted all of Minnesota's 2011 defensive snaps, Griffen displayed "a variety of pass-rush moves from both end spots" and was "OK in the run game, too." Highly athletic, Griffen also finished second on the Vikings with 18 special teams tackles.

The Vikings will give DE Everson Griffen a look as a stand-up outside linebacker in practice this week.

Coach Leslie Frazier says the Vikings "for sure" want Griffen available if needed at linebacker, especially on the weak side. Griffen is 6-foot-3, 273, but runs a legit 4.6 forty and could add a new dimension to Minnesota's pass rush if the position switch sticks. It's also a nod to rookie DL Christian Ballard, whom the Vikings have been extremely pleased with in the preseason.

Vikings DE Everson Griffen is anxious to move on from his arrest-marred offseason.

"I had a little rough stretch," Griffen said. "That's not me at all. I'm just trying to make changes. I've got big years coming up. I'm just trying to show the Minnesota Vikings I'm here for good." All charges stemming from Griffen's two January arrests have been dropped, but it's possible he could still be facing a league-mandated suspension for his poor behavior at the end of the lockout.

VP of player personnel Rick Spielman insists the Vikings still have "a lot of high expectations" for troubled DE Everson Griffen.

Coach Leslie Frazier recently had a heart-to-heart with Griffen in an effort to set him straight after two offseason arrests. With Ray Edwards and Brian Robinson set to hit free agency, Griffen will be counted on for a much bigger role in 2011.

When asked on Saturday if he was the one who stepped in and told DE Everson Griffen to cancel his Super Bowl party, Vikings HC Leslie Frazier responded "something like that."

Griffen, of course, said it was the NFL who told him to cancel his party. It really doesn't matter who it was, but lying about who's scolding him is just another example of poor judgment on Griffen's behalf. He's doing himself zero favors as the NFL mulls its punishment for his two arrests.

Vikings beat writer Jeremy Fowler concurs that it was likely Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, and not the NFL, who asked DE Everson Griffen to cancel his Super Bowl party.

Individual teams, and not the league office, are the ones usually responsible for trying to prevent their players from doing ill-advised things. The league's role is to jump in after the fact and decide if punishment is warranted. Now that his schedule is cleared up this weekend, maybe Griffen can start reflecting on the fact that he's likely facing a suspension after getting himself arrested twice in four days last week.

A Las Vegas Super Bowl party that was to be hosted by Vikings DE Everson Griffen has been cancelled.

Per ESPN 1500's Tom Pelissero, Griffen texted partygoers, "the NFL has made the decision this event has got to (sic) much media coverage and we are not allowed to bus people to Vegas." It's believed that Vikings officials, not the NFL, told Griffen not to host the party. The rookie was arrested twice over a span of four days, and clearly does not have his priorities in order.

The NFL confirmed Friday that Vikings DE Everson Griffen is being investigated under the Personal Conduct Policy after two alcohol-related arrests in the matter of four days.

"It is under review," said a league spokesman. "We have no further comment." Griffen can expect a multi-game suspension, probably anywhere from 3-8 games. The Vikings can no longer count on Griffen to be a 2011 contributor, making defensive end a major need with Brian Robison and Ray Edwards both free agents.

USC has banned its athletes from attending a Las Vegas party that is being promoted by Vikings DE Everson Griffen this week.

Griffen has defended his intentions for the $100-a-head party. He's certainly not doing anything illegal here, but the high-profile party calls into question his judgment after he was arrested twice in alcohol-related incidents over the past week.

Prosecutors have opted against filing felony charges against Vikings DE Everson Griffen for battery of a policeman and public drunkenness.

The decision was based on Griffen's absence of a criminal history as well as the policeman coming away unharmed. Instead, Griffen's case will head to the L.A. City Attorney's Office as a misdemeanor consideration. Griffen was released from jail Tuesday afternoon, and it appears that he'll escape serious punishment after two arrests in three days.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune confirms that Vikings DE Everson Griffen was arrested twice in California in the matter of three days.

The first arrest was for public drunkenness Friday night in Hollywood. The second charge -- felony battery of a policeman -- is far more serious. Griffen allegedly told officers following the second arrest that he "did not want to go back to jail." (Who does?) Griffen, 23, had a checkered background at USC, one of the main reasons the first-round talent fell to the fourth round on draft day. He has a court date set for February 25.

TMZ.com reports that Everson Griffen's Monday arrest for felony battery of a police officer was his second arrest in the last three days.

More reliable outlets are working to confirm. According to the gossip website, Griffen was also booked Friday night for public drunkenness in Hollywood. It is known that Griffen has been in California recently, because that's where he was during Monday's arrest. He's still in an L.A. jail with bail set at $50,000.

Vikings DE Everson Griffen was tasered and arrested after allegedly assaulting a police officer during a traffic stop Monday.

The incident took place at 4PM near USC's campus, where Griffen is an alum. Griffen became "aggressive" after officers asked for an I.D. he didn't have, attempted to run away, and finally assaulted one of them. He was charged with felony battery. The arrest comes on the same day that a Minnesota paper suggested he could replace Ray Edwards in the starting lineup in 2011.

The Pioneer Press suggests that DE Everson Griffen will be given a chance to win a starting job this offseason.

Ray Edwards is an impending free agent that the Press says is "all but gone." Griffen, a fourth-round pick in 2010, played sparingly and had no sacks in 11 games. But the Vikings remain high on his athletic skill set as a pass rusher with upside.

Vikings agreed to terms with fourth-round DE Everson Griffen on a multi-year contract.

A late first-rounder based on talent alone, Griffen fell due to consistency and work ethic concerns. The Vikings have high hopes for the athletic pass rusher after an impressive spring, and he could enter the starting lineup as Ray Edwards' replacement as soon as 2011.

Vikings selected USC DE Everson Griffen with the No. 100 overall pick in the 2010 draft.

Projected as a late-first or early-second round pick, Griffen is a highly athletic pass rusher who led the Trojans with eight sacks last year as a junior. After bulking up to 273 pounds for the Combine, Griffen has the build to play end in the Vikes' base 4-3. If he develops as planned, Minnesota will have a replacement for Ray Edwards, due to hit free agency in 2011.