Dallas Cowboys Vice President Stephen Jones reiterated one of his favorite phrases at a news convention Wednesday.
“We say player acquisition is 365 days a year,” Jones said. “So we’re looking to improve in terms of the staff that might be out there. If we see an opportunity to improve or increase the intensity of this football team, in fact we will.
On Wednesday night, the Cowboys did it.
Dallas accepted the terms of a one-year contract with Pro Bowl’s defensive finale, Everson Griffin, two other people with the wisdom of the deal showed him to USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday night.
After the 2019 season, Griffen resigned from his contract with the Minnesota Vikings, with whom he served for 10 years.
He spent almost five months as a loose agent before landing with Dallas. You’ll want 3 negative COVID-19 tests before you can enter The Star, where players will exercise in projectiles from Friday.
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The NFL lifted the ban on loose agents on Tuesday.
Teams can compare a player by setting up a virtual test. They may settle for educational videos sent to them through players, agents or other third parties. Teams can also receive players to verify that they meet COVID-19 verification requirements.
Before attempting or undergoing a physical exam, the player must perform at least two consecutive negative tests within 24 hours of the team’s arrival in the city.
Griffen had visited or tested on the user, said one user with knowledge.
Griffen won his fourth place in the Bowl last season with Minnesota, with a total of 8 catches, 41 tackles and 24 quarterback hits in 15 games. He played 147 games, racking up 355 tackles, 74.5 catches and nine forced loose balls.
Griffen joins a defense anchored through the left defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. The Cowboys signed veterans Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe this spring as intensity for new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. They also incorporated defensive winger Aldon Smith, who was long suspended, who won his run for reinstatement in April after last playing in 2015. Defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford is expected to return from hip surgery.
The defensive final Robert Quinn amassed a record 11.5 catches last season before signing a lucrative contract with the Chicago Bears.
“I think we personally did our homework during the off-season,” Jones said Wednesday. “I think I feel as smart with this team as I do with everything we’ve had in the last five or ten years.”
Contributor: Mike Jones.
Follow Jori Epstein of USA TODAY Sports on Twitter @JoriEpstein.
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