A day after the St. Paul Pioneer Press suggested that he would be given a chance to win a starting job this offseason, Vikings’ defensive end Everson Griffen was arrested twice in three days.

On Monday, he was tasered and arrested after allegedly assaulting a police officer during a traffic stop. The incident took place near USC’s campus, where Griffen attended school. He reportedly became aggressive with officers after he was asked to show an I.D. that he didn’t have. After attempting to run away, he finally assaulted one of them and was charged with felony battery.

Three days prior to that arrest, he was also hauled in for public drunkenness on Friday night in Hollywood.

From the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

The Los Angeles Times reported that Griffen said “he did not want to go back to jail.”

Griffen also was cited by police in Nantucket, Mass., for a noise violation on July 4, 2009, but it wasn’t completely clear initially why he would have mentioned going back to jail. TMZ’s website helped to clear up why Griffen mentioned returning to jail when it was the first to report that he spent time Saturday in police custody.

I don’t see why this fine, upstanding gentleman wouldn’t be given a chance to start next season. Clearly his decision-making is top notch and obviously he’s dedicated to football in the offseason.

Looks like the Vikes might be seeking a defensive end this offseason.