Malik Beasley The Who Dat Daily.com/ Saints Contributor 

New Orleans,LA – The Dallas Cowboys signed former Minnesota Viking pass rusher Everson Griffin to a one year deal yesterday. According sources, the deal is a one year deal worth $6 million and gives Dallas an excellent compliment to their top defensive end Demarcus Lawrence. The New Orleans Saints earlier this year had a flirtation with some thought as the top free-agent edge rusher on the market in Jadeveon Clowney.

Many people including myself believed that Griffin would be a better fit because of the price demands over Clowney. The former Seahawk/Texan defensive end is commanding currently between 12 to 15 million a year for his services. The Saints haven’t budged on Clowney but have signed two free-agents to deals: linebacker Nigel Bradham and wide-out Bennie Fowler.

The reason behind the Saints looking at a starting level pass rusher is because of the uncertainty of current starter Marcus Davenport‘s health. The three year starter (whom the team used two first rounders to secure), hasn’t been able to play an entire season yet. The pressure is compounded because of the potential retirement of future HOF QB Drew Brees. If Brees does retire, that cuts your room for error across the board meaning you should have insurance for the position in case of injury.

Everson Griffin would have provided that insurance, in fact it would have formed a serious defensive tandem between he and star end Cam Jordan. I understand that the team has several reserves behind Davenport like: Trey Hendrickson, Margus Hunt, Carl Granderson, Mario Edwards Jr and 2020 3rd round draft LB Zack Baun who they’ll try there.

The scenario of Cam Jordan, Everson Griffin with Marcus Davenport as the situational pass rusher is an appealing grouping. This trio would have given the Saints an opportunity to bring Davenport, who is currently healthy along slowly improving his chances of playing the entire season. I think the Saints defensive end reserves are largely a question mark because injury, inexperience and inconsistency.

Lets look at some of Griffins career stats in comparison to Cam Jordan’s:

The Cowboys signed Griffin to a low cost of $6 million, which is cheaper than what New Orleans pays back up o-linemen Nick Easton. I hope edge rusher Marcus Davenport remains healthy along with his back ups all season, which is something that never happened before. Remember the Saints shuffled the interior offensive line this year because of what Griffin and Daniel Hunter did to it in last seasons playoff embarrassment.

I think New Orleans definitely drop the ball on this one. I for one would have moved on signing him to the team as opposed to letting one of your rivals do. What do you think?

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