REPORT: Dallas Cowboys Sign Defensive End Everson Griffen

At the franchise deadline a few weeks ago, Stephen Jones mentioned that the Dallas Cowboys were still interested in adding a free agent or two this summer. Well, they’ve made good on that promise by signing former Minnesota Vikings Defensive End Everson Griffen.

Ian Rapoport

@RapSheet

The #Cowboys are adding a big-time pass-rusher, signing former #Vikings DE Everson Griffen, sources tell me, @TomPelissero and @SlaterNFL. With Minnesota for a decade, Griffen now heads to Dallas. A surprise.

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August 13, 2020

As the NFL lifted the ban on outside players visiting their facilities, the Dallas Cowboys made a splash in bringing in the Pro Bowl defensive end. Griffen has made the Pro Bowl in four of the last five seasons. Though he’s 32 years old, he’s coming off a season where he had eight sacks for the Minnesota Vikings. In five of the last six seasons, he’s played at least 15 games and in those seasons recorded at least eight sacks. Three times he recorded a double-digit sack total with a career-high in 2017 when Griffen had 13 sacks.

Defense & Fumbles Table
			Game	Game	Def	Def	Def	Fumb	Fumb	Fumb	Fumb	Fumb		Tack	Tack	Tack
Year	Age	Tm	G	GS	Int	TD	PD	FF	Fmb	FR	Yds	TD	Sk	Comb	TFL	QBHits
2010	23	MIN	11	0									0.0	11	0	1
2011	24	MIN	16	0	0	0	2	1	0	1	9	0	4.0	21	3	7
2012	25	MIN	16	1	1	1	2	0	0	2	5	0	8.0	27	11	20
2013	26	MIN	16	0				1	0	0	0	0	5.5	27	7	10
2014	27	MIN	16	16	0	0	3	1	0	0	0	0	12.0	58	14	24
2015*	28	MIN	15	15	0	0	4	1	0	0	0	0	10.5	44	14	30
2016*	29	MIN	16	16	0	0	1	2	0	3	20	1	8.0	48	9	22
2017*	30	MIN	15	15	0	0	1	3	0	0	0	0	13.0	45	12	25
2018	31	MIN	11	10	0	0	1						5.5	33	5	13
2019*	32	MIN	15	15	1	0	2						8.0	41	11	24
Care	Care		147	88	2	1	16	9	0	6	34	1	74.5	355	86	176

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 8/12/2020.

https://twitter.com/PFF_Cowboys/status/1293720154476445696

Primarily a right defensive end, Everson Griffen immediately becomes their best option opposite DeMarcus Lawrence. Though he figures to compete for snaps initially with Tyrone Crawford and Aldon Smith on the right side, his presence gives the Cowboys a much-needed pass rusher on the right side of the defensive line.

Jon Machota

@jonmachota

Edge rusher Everson Griffen is a 4-time Pro Bowler who has had three double-digit sack seasons since 2014. He had 8 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and 24 QB hits last year for the Vikings.pic.twitter.com/KqdJFfCLuZ

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August 13, 2020

With the signing of Everson Griffen, the Cowboys made a bold move that upgrades their defense and gives them another player that can both play the run and rush the passer with equal effectiveness. In Mike Nolan’s defense that is predicated on disrupting the quarterback, you can’t have too many guys that can create pressure, and Everson Griffen has been one of the best over the last six seasons.

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8 Comments

Gary b 5 years ago

Meant to say he's solid against the run too.
Gary b 5 years ago

Compete for snaps with Smith and Crawford? Pencil this beast in as a starter and turn him loose. And he's good against the run? Hell yea! With the serviceable Crawford coming off an injury and Smith/Gregory BIG questions marks, I can only imagine the cowboys had the same concerns many fans had regarding our pass rush (or lack their of). The fact that he is solid against the rush as well, bodes very well for us. Kudos to the often times maligned Jerry Jones, for getting us an excellent player at a position of need.
Rodney 5 years ago

This is the move I’ve clamored for since Quinn took the money and ran. I don’t blame him, it’s a business as much as it’s a sport these days. Follow me now. Pencil Griffen in as RDE right now, your starter Day1. Cut Crawford, let Aldon and whatever 2 -3 young guys that stick (Jackson,Anae, Jelks, Armstrong) play and learn along that vet-laden dline just let them play. Wish we grabbed Snacks instead of Poe.
Ben Miller 5 years ago

Adding sacks to an already good defense is always a good thing but I question the timing. Does this mean Dallas isn't as optimistic about Aldon Smith as they have appeared to be? Did they get bad news about Gregory's reinstatement application?
1. John Williams 5 years ago
  
  I can only guess. But teams weren't allowed to have players in for visits until yesterday, which might have been all they were waiting for to make the signing. An in-person meeting. Gregory's reinstatement thing is weird. He can't get answers from the NFLPA, which just seems weird. I haven't heard, seen, or read anything that would indicate they're concerned about Aldon Smith. However, going into a season with Aldon Smith, Tyrone Crawford, and Bradlee Anae as your top options at right defensive end probably wasn't the best plan.
  1. GhostProtocol 5 years ago
    
    John, I'm curious ... what's your insight on what seems to be a relatively simple re-instatement attempt by Gregory. Something just smells odd. On the surface his transgressions don't compare to some others who have been reinstated much quicker, and despite the volume of his infractions, they are not increasing in severity, meaning its just the same dumb mistake repeated several times. Why are the Cowboys so quiet about this? Jerry was in Goodell's face over the Zeke affair. Because I never thought Griffen was in their targets, I can't help but wonder if they have official word from NFL offices that suggest Gregory is done?
Cowboys fan 5 years ago

Finally.... I was happy with Aldon Smith, but now I'm just speechless!! He was the RDE I was wanting us to sign all along!! A lot of people wanted Clowney, but I didn't.... I wanted Everson Griffen, and now we finally have him!! I can't wait for this season to start!!
1. John Williams 5 years ago
  
  I never honestly thought they'd make another move like this this offseason. I was resigned to the fact that this was the roster. Pleasantly surprised.

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