Tag: Everson Griffen

Breaking: Dallas Cowboys adding DE Everson Griffen to mix on 1-year deal

The Dallas Cowboys did not answer the gaping hole at right defensive end during free agency. After losing Robert Quinn and his 11.5 sacks from 2019 to the Chicago Bears, they did not spend a high draft pick on the position either, waiting until the …

The Dallas Cowboys did not answer the gaping hole at right defensive end during free agency. After losing Robert Quinn and his 11.5 sacks from 2019 to the Chicago Bears, they did not spend a high draft pick on the position either, waiting until the fifth round to select Utah’s Bradlee Anae. But just two days before the club convenes for training camp practice, they’ve made a big splash at the position after all.

The Cowboys have signed the top remaining free agent on the market, former Minnesota Vikings DE and four-time Pro Bowler Everson Griffen.

The Cowboys have been linked with Griffen since the spring, the timing just hadn’t been right.

Earlier in the offseason, the four-time Pro Bowler (including 2019) opted out of his final remaining three years with the Vikings. Prior to the 2019 league year, the club renegotiated with Griffen to give them salary cap space for the just-finished season.  Griffen turned in a strong performance, notching eight sacks in his 10th year in the league. In March he cut off contract talks, but had since not signed with anyone.

Griffen is fourth in Minnesota Viking history in sacks with 74.5, behind John Randle, Chris Doleman and Jared Allen.

Griffen spent the last six seasons with George Edwards as his defensive coordinator. Edwards joined the Cowboys staff under head coach Mike McCarthy as the senior defensive assistant next to defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Griffen’s four Pro Bowls have all come with Edwards on the staff.

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Griffen was recently named the top remaining free agent by CBS Sports HQ, ahead of fellow defensive end and more ballyhooed Jadeveon Clowney. The Cowboys now have Griffen, Aldon Smith and Anae as new additions to the position opposite franchise defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. The team also brought in defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe, as well as third-round draft pick Neville Gallimore to add to Tyrone Crawford and Antwaun Woods returning from injury-plauged seasons.

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Everson Griffen signs with the Dallas Cowboys

The veteran pass rusher joined the Dallas Cowboys. What does he bring to the table at this point in his career?

You can never have enough pass rushers, and the Dallas Cowboys seem to be believers in that mantra. They added to their pass rushing unit on Wednesday night, adding defensive end Everson Griffin into the fold.

Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Jane Slater had the news:

The veteran pass rusher has been a force for the Minnesota Vikings over the bulk of his NFL career. He has notched double-digit sack seasons three times in his career, most recently in 2017 when he tallied 13 takedowns of the opposing quarterback. In Dallas, he’ll ply his trade opposite Demarcus Lawrence, and outside of two more offseason acquisitions, Dontari Poe and Gerald McCoy.

Here’s what Griffen, who secured eight sacks a year ago, brings to the table. First up, power and and an array of moves. Watch this play against Joe Staley of the San Francisco 49ers, where Griffen first uses a long-arm move before switching immediately to a swim:

On these plays from Week 1 of 2019, you can see how quick and powerful Griffen remains to this point in his career:

And if you want to talk about some veteran savvy, watch this spin move:

 

It is hard not to think about how this move impacts the balance of power in the NFC East. The Philadelphia Eagles, largely considered to be favorites in the division along with the Dallas Cowboys, are potentially moving to a more downfield passing game. That requires more time for the quarterback in the pocket. Furthermore, they’re looking at some adjustments to the offensive line, with Andre Dillard at left tackle and Jason Peters perhaps sliding over to guard to replace the injured Brandon Brooks. Having a defensive front of Griffen, Lawrence, Poe and McCoy is sure to pose problems for even talented OL groups like Philadelphia’s.

NFC East news: Cowboys add pass rusher Everson Griffen on a 1-year deal

Everson Griffen signs 1-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys

The NFC East has become an arms race with each team stacking up on top-flight quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, offensive tackles and pass rushers.

Hoping to add more sizzle to an already strong pass rush, the Dallas Cowboys agreed to a deal with former Vikings star Everson Griffen.

The Eagles will face Dallas twice, with both Andre Dillard and Lane Johnson having to deal with a unit that now includes DeMarcus Lawrence, Gerald McCoy, Aldon Smith, Griffen, and others.

A four-time Pro Bowler with 74.5 career sacks, Griffen gives the Cowboys a solid rotation and just adds to a bevy of pass rushers in Washington, New York, and Dallas.

Report: Free agents, like former Vikings DE Griffen, can now take in-person visits with teams

NFL free agents, like former Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen, can now reportedly meet with teams in person. Do you want Minnesota to sign him?

Defensive end Everson Griffen’s journey in free agency has not been simple.

The former Vikings defensive end voided his contract with Minnesota earlier this offseason. Griffen then announced he would be leaving the Vikings in free agency, but that was back in March. There have been no official reports of him signing with a team.

A source told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press that Griffen wanted to get the word out to teams that he was available, even though there was still a chance he would return to the Vikings this offseason. According to the Associated Press, Griffen has been reportedly patient and waiting until he can take in-person visits.

Well, now that time has come.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that the NFL is lifting the prohibition on tryouts. Free agents will need to pass two COVID-19 tests before they’re allowed on the field, and they will be kept away from players on the roster, with a limit to eight players trying out per day.

Pelissero also said: “since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, NFL clubs had been banned from bringing in players to their facility, with an exception recently for physicals. Today’s memo clears the way for some free agents (that) teams wanted (to take) a closer look at on the field to get signed in the days and weeks ahead.”

That means Griffen will reportedly be able to meet with teams in person. This could very well help him find a team in free agency. Vikings fans will hope it’s not the Packers.

Vikings S Harrison Smith using doubters as motivation in 2020

The Vikings will have new faces in 2020, but is that necessarily a bad thing?

In the last four seasons, the Vikings have ranked third, first, fourth and 14th in yards allowed defensively.

While last season’s team ranked more towards the middle of the pack, Mike Zimmer’s squad was still one of the better defenses in the NFL.

The team’s defense went through a makeover this offseason. Out is Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Linval Joseph and Everson Griffen.

The Vikings will rely on rookies and players who haven’t gotten the opportunity to prove themselves to do just that.

Even with the makeover, the Vikings still have very good and very familiar players on the defensive side of the ball. There’s still Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris at safety. There’s Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks at linebacker. And then there’s Danielle Hunter on the defensive line, who consistently ruins Sundays for offensive lineman.

Smith hasn’t been hearing the chatter that the Vikings aren’t supposed to be as good, but he’ll be using that as motivation.

“I guess I’ve been out of the loop,’’ Smith said via the Pioneer Press. “I didn’t know we were supposed to be bad. So, yeah, I guess that motivates me.’’

While this unit might look different in 2020, I’m not sure if that’s a bad thing.

Report: Seahawks interested in pass rushers Clay Matthews, Everson Griffen

The Seattle Seahawks could be looking past Jadeveon Clowney and are now interested in pass rushers Clay Matthews and Everson Griffen.

The Seahawks have been unsuccessful in their pursuit to re-sign defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and are now turning their sights onto two other available players who could assist with Seattle’s pass-rush efforts.

“While the Seahawks appear to have moved on from Jadeveon Clowney, who wants more than they’re willing to pay, the team has interest in two veteran free agent pass rushers: LB Clay Matthews and DE Everson Griffen,” NFL Network’s Mike Silver tweeted Thursday morning. “A deal could happen soon.”

It is interesting to note that both players, while now seasoned NFL veterans, spent their college days under the tutelage of coach Pete Carroll at USC.

Carroll and the Seahawks have made it more than clear the team will never stop looking to improve the defensive line and players who are able to successfully rush the passer will always be coveted on the roster.

This story is continuing to develop.

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Clay Matthews, Everson Griffen drawing interest from Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly interested in a pair of former USC Trojans; Everson Griffen and Clay Matthews.

NFL free agency opened up officially on March 18, less than a week after the COVID-19 crisis shut most of the country down. As such, the pandemic has very clearly had an impact on a handful of free agents who are still looking for employment heading into what will be a unique 2020 season.

Two of the most prominent names still on the market, outside of Jadeveon Clowney, are former USC Trojans: defensive end Everson Griffen and outside linebacker Clay Matthews.

Now, with training camp just getting underway and teams allowed to conduct in-person physicals, it looks like the long wait may be nearing an end for at least one of Griffen and Matthews – as they are each drawing interest from Clowney’s former team, the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks almost certainly won’t sign both of coach Pete Carroll’s former players, but they have been connected to each of them throughout the offseason – especially when it became clear a reunion with Clowney was unlikely.

Griffen, at least on paper, seems like a better fit for the Seahawks. He is an accomplished pass rusher off the edge, with 74.5 career sacks to his name during a 10-year career with the Minnesota Vikings. He is known to have interest in Seattle as well, but was waiting to see what would happen with Clowney – a saga that remains unresolved.

Matthews would certainly upgrade Seattle’s depleted pass rush, but his complicated history with the team and the fan base may make him a tricky addition, and the team’s plethora of outside linebacker candidates – including the recently signed Bruce Irvin – make this less of a fit as the roster is currently constructed.

Regardless, both veterans will find themselves homes before too long, and it looks very likely one of them will be in the Emerald City.

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Report: Seahawks appeared to have moved on from Clowney, show interest in former Vikings DE Griffen

Seattle has reportedly appeared to have moved on from Clowney, and the Seahawks have interest in former Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen.

Jadeveon Clowney is arguably the best defensive end in free agency, but in an unconventional offseason, the former No. 1 overall pick has had to wait to be signed.

According to a report from NFL Network’s Michael Silver, Clowney’s old team seems to have moved on from him. Silver reported that Clowney wants more than they can pay.

Why would Vikings fans care about that? Well, Seattle currently has an interest in former Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen, in addition to former Packers and Rams linebacker Clay Matthews, who’s an edge rusher.

Earlier this offseason, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Packers are also interested in Griffen. Rapoport also said that there is mutual interest between the two. There has not been any update as to whether that interest has died or is progressing.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer recently said he would love to have Griffen back.

“He’s always been one of my guys,” Zimmer said, via the Pioneer Press. “If that happens, it would be great. But I don’t know where that’s at right now.”

Vikings DE Ifeadi Odenigbo listed as team’s secret weapon for 2020

The Vikings have an adequate replacement for NFL Defensive end Everson Griffen: Ifeadi Odenigbo.

Minnesota saw one of its mainstay defensive ends void his contract with the team, then announce he was leaving in free agency.

That player — Everson Griffen — has yet to sign with a team in free agency. Mike Zimmer recently said he would love to have Griffen back.

But what if he didn’t come back? Well, the Vikings still have an adequate replacement on paper: Ifeadi Odenigbo.

Odenigbo, who had seven sacks in a limited role this past season, was listed as Minnesota’s secret weapon by Bleacher Report. Here’s what the outlet said about Odenigbo:

“Odenigbo was picked by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 2017 draft. However, he landed on the practice squad and was waived before he joined the Cleveland Browns and then the Arizona Cardinals. He appeared in just one game for Arizona before he was waived and signed again by Minnesota to the practice squad. The Vikings brought him back on a futures contract last January, and Odenigbo rewarded them with big-time production.”

If Odenigbo raises his production level as his reps increase, then the Vikings will have developed a player who’s good enough to start and thrive at the NFL level.

Vikings predicted to win the NFC North in 2020 by B/R

Boom. Minnesota was predicted to win the NFC North by Bleacher Report.

Minnesota made the playoffs last season but finished second in the division race to Green Bay. The Packers were 13-3, and the Vikings were 10-6 in the regular season.

Bleacher Report recently had some of its writers vote on which team they thought would win the division in 2020. The Vikings received three votes, while the Packers and Bears each received one.

Here’s what the outlet said about Minnesota:

“They added young talent at both corner and receiver in the draft to offset their losses at those positions. Head coach Mike Zimmer hasn’t ruled out a reunion with veteran end Everson Griffen, and the Vikings still have a talented and balanced roster without any major weaknesses.”

I’m a little worried about this prediction, considering the outlet said one of the pros the Vikings have going for them is Griffen, a player currently not on the roster. Also, Griffen and the Packers reportedly both have mutual interest. 

I think Griffen coming back would help the Vikings defensive line, especially with Michael Pierce opting out of the 2020 season. Only time will tell whether Griffen actually reunites with Minnesota, though.