Why veteran edge rusher Everson Griffen might be a perfect fit for the Cowboys
By Jon Machota Aug 12, 2020
Stephen Jones said Wednesday afternoon that he felt as good about the Cowboys as he has at any point over the last five to 10 years.
But part of that response from the team’s executive vice president included the following comment: “If we see an opportunity to improve or add depth to this football team, we’ll certainly do it.”
Dallas did just that Wednesday night when it added veteran edge rusher Everson Griffen on a one-year, $6 million deal, according to the NFL Network.
Griffen has spent all 10 years of his career in Minnesota. He made the Pro Bowl in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019. He posted double-digit sacks three times in the last six seasons, including a career-high 13 in 2017. Last year, Griffen recorded eight sacks, 41 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 24 QB hits.
The 32-year-old is a natural right defensive end, which fits perfectly with what the Cowboys needed: someone to line up on the opposite end of their top defender, DeMarcus Lawrence.
That was one of their weakest areas after they lost Robert Quinn to the Chicago Bears in free agency. Dallas added Aldon Smith and still have hopes of getting Randy Gregory reinstated from suspension, but neither played last season. Smith hasn’t played since 2015. The Cowboys only selected one edge rusher in the draft, using a late fifth-round pick on Bradlee Anae.
The addition of Griffen gives Dallas someone who could potentially get double-digit sacks while Smith, Tyrone Crawford, Dorance Armstrong and others compete to give the group excellent depth. Signing Griffen also seems to solidify that Dallas will stay in a 4-3 scheme. New head coach Mike McCarthy has said that was the plan, but there was talk of utilizing more 3-4 looks this season under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.
“It all starts with players,” Nolan said after being hired in January. “The things that excite me are the things we can potentially do down the road. Players will determine what we can do and what we can’t do, not the scheme. The scheme is what you have to utilize the players.”
This has been a unique offseason for the Cowboys in terms of adding established veterans to their defense. Along with Smith, they signed defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Donatri Poe as well as safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in March.
Griffen and Jadeveon Clowney were the top two edge rushers remaining in free agency. Clowney’s asking price was believed to have been too rich for the Cowboys. Griffen’s deal is closer to the range Dallas paid Quinn last season (one year, $8 million).
It’s important to note that George Edwards, a new senior defensive assistant for the Cowboys, was Griffen’s defensive coordinator in Minnesota the last six years.
During a seven-year stretch from 2011-17, Griffen played at least 15 games every season. However, he missed five in 2018.
The Athletic reported in September about a surprise absence in Week 3 of 2018. Griffen voluntarily checked into a hospital over mental health concerns. He spent two months away from the team, missing Weeks 3-7. He returned last season to start 15 games.
“I’m just continuing to take the proper steps, sticking to my meetings, sticking to the people in my corner that have helped me along the way get to this point,” Griffen said last year. “I feel good each and every day I come here. Just win the day, win the moment.”
He said that what he learned most through the 2018 season is there’s nothing wrong with seeking help.
“It’s OK to get help, it’s OK to reach out to somebody and ask for help,” Griffen said. “Last year is over and done with. I’m not going to forget it. It taught me a valuable lesson that it’s OK to ask for help. I’m going to keep doing that until the wheels fall off.”
Griffen entered last season under contract with the Vikings through 2022. But he exercised a unique option in his deal to void the remaining three years in March so he could hit free agency. The one-year contract with Dallas allows him to potentially have a big year and receive a better deal next year in free agency.
Griffen was a fourth-round pick out of USC in 2010 and a college teammate of Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith. The Cowboys will begin training camp practice on Friday, but Griffen won’t be able to join his new teammates until he passes COVID-19 protocols.