Linebacker Griggs Impresses Browns’ Coaches With Attitude

Like a birthmark or a scar, a player’s eccentricities tend to last a lifetime.

And so it is with linebacker Anthony Griggs, who once joked that he was really a being from “Planet Funk.”

“I guess people will never forget about that,” said Griggs, who was obtained by the Cleveland Browns from Philadelphia in exchange for an eighth-round pick during the NFL draft on April 29.

The comment irritated Griggs’ college coach, Ohio State’s Earle Bruce.

“I know coach Bruce wasn’t amused by it. He told me to stick to reality and play football. That much I’ve done.”

Griggs, 26, of Lawton, Okla., has impressed Coach Marty Schottenheimer in his quest to make the team.

“I asked Anthony what he wanted, and he said ‘a job,’ ” Schottenheimer said as he presided over Cleveland’s training camp at Lakeland Community College. “I’ll say that he’s been very impressive so far. He’s in great shape and is a very hard hitter.”

Griggs, Philadelphia’s fourth-round pick in 1982, did not miss a game with the Eagles. He started 48 straight games at inside linebacker.

However, he was told at the end of the 1985 season that he no longer fit in the plans of Eagles head Coach Buddy Ryan.

“I couldn’t figure out why, though,” said Griggs, a 6-foot-3, 230-pounder who transferred to Ohio State for his senior year after Villanova dropped football in 1981. “I didn’t have a great year because of a sore knee that’s OK now, but I wound up with 86 tackles.

“I was glad to leave and get a new beginning, even though I have a lot of ties with Philadelphia.”