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The Dallas Cowboys have invested a lot of resources in building their defensive line this offseason. In particular, they did a great job replacing the production Robert Quinn who had 11.5 sacks in 2019. Not only did they sign former All-Pro Aldon Smith, but also Everson Griffen, a very productive passer. in its own right. of his fourth Pro Bowl campaign.
Griffen’s ties to the Cowboys run deep and he’s here for one reason and one reason only, a championship.
“On the one hand, it was my favorite football team growing up,” Griffen said earlier this week. “Emmitt Smith, people don’t really know, I’m named after Everson Walls. He was number 24 here. I think he played it safe, linebacker, something like that. But yes, I was named after Everson Walls. They have always been my favorite team. In this time, I try to win a championship. I look at the parts they have here with Dak, Coop, Lamb, Mike… so I think they have the guns. Zeke, offensive line, all around. So I think the guns are in place and it’s up to the players and coaches to go out on Sunday and win the games. But on the defensive side, we are stacked: DLaw, Aldon, me. We have a lot of good guys on that side of the ball. We are just excited to play football and can’t wait to win. It’s our main goal is to win here. “
Another link in the chain connecting Griffen to the Cowboys was his relationship with senior defensive assistant George Edwards. From 2014 to 2019, he served as the defensive coordinator for Griffen’s former team, the Minnesota Vikings. The two talked a lot before Griffen signed with the Cowboys.
“We talked a lot,” Griffen said. “He was a decision maker for me when he told me this was where you wanted to be. But most important is McCarthy’s philosophy. His philosophy is to work hard during the week and he will take care of you. So with that timeline and what we have here if the players really want to go out there and give your all because he’s going to take care of you, I think we’re going to make big hay this year.
As well as still being able to play a top level Griffen, he was also very durable. He has started at least 15 games in five of the past six seasons (averaging 9.5 sacks per season during that span). He might not beat you with a lot of speed or turns, but his power and excellent technique still make him one of the most effective defensive ends in the league. This skill set with a highly motivated Smith and hopefully a soon-to-be reinstated Randy Gregory will make the Cowboys passers very formidable coming in from the right edge to complement DeMarcus Lawrence coming out of the left edge.
The Cowboys have had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL in years. Now, along with Griffen, they also have a chance to have one of the best defensive lines, which could take them back to the playoffs in 2020.
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