To the surprise of many, the Dallas Cowboys were able to sign free agent Defensive End Everson Griffen earlier this week. The signing seemed to materialize out of thin air, however, it’s a move that should have a positive ripple effect throughout the Cowboys defense and could quite possibly spillover to the offensive side of the ball as well.
There’s not a better defensive end to hit free agency this year who was a better fit than Everson Griffen is with the Dallas Cowboys. Forget he’s on the other side of 30 (32 years old) or that he may not to be the spring chicken he once was earlier in his career, because he still got plenty left in the tank. In fact, he’s exactly what the Cowboys needed opposite DeMarcus Lawrence.
Everson Griffen’s addition without a doubt is a huge upgrade for the Cowboys defense. From a complete player standpoint, he’s quite a bit better than Robert Quinn. Quinn probably has a slight edge from a pass rushing standpoint, but the former Minnesota Viking All-Pro DE is no slouch in that department either. What sets Griffen apart is his ability as a run defender.
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* Every Everson Griffen QB sack and TFL in 2019, courtesy of Marcus Mosher
I don’t know about you, but I’m beyond excited about Griffen’s addition to the Dallas Cowboys defense. Adding him to the mix of DeMarcus Lawrence, Gerald McCoy, and Dontari Poe gives the Cowboys arguably their best defensive front in ages. But, it’s the ripple effect he should have on the rest of the defense that I’m most excited about.
From the trenches to the very back end of the Cowboys defense, Everson Griffen should have a positive ripple effect throughout. The linebackers will benefit by playing behind a formative defensive front and the secondary should benefit from less time in coverage with Griffen and D-Law forcing opposing quarterbacks to get rid of the ball quicker.
Anyway you look at it Everson Griffen is an outstanding offseason signing by the Dallas Cowboys. Whether or not he’s the missing piece to get them back to the Super Bowl has yet to be determined, but there’s no denying they are a better team with him in the lineup. Personally, I think this could turn into a Charles Haley type move that vaults the Cowboys back into the Super Bowl.