Detroit Lions: Bob Quinn dropped the ball with Everson Griffen

The Detroit Lions desperately need to improve their abysmal pass-rush from a year ago, yet Bob Quinn opted not to pursue a premier defensive end like Everson Griffen.

Recently the long-time Minnesota Vikings defensive end signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys worth $6-million.  It’s a complete steal for Jerry Jones, and at very low risk.  It seems odd that the Detroit Lions didn’t reach out to Everson Griffen even to test the waters.

The Detroit Lions have plenty of money left to spend if they so choose, but the organization will surely prioritize coming to terms with star receiver Kenny Golladay on a new contract extension.  The Lions also need to consider retaining starting left tackle, Taylor Decker, before he hits the open market next spring.

Signing a player like Griffen seemed like a perfect addition for the Lions, especially if the deal had a chance to be completed on a one-year commitment and for less than $10-million per season.  Griffen played primarily in a four-person front, so he’s not a perfect fit for Matt Patricia’s system entirely.  Patricia loves to use multiple defensive formations, including numerous different defensive fronts.  The Lions will use a mix of four and three-man fronts throughout the game.

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Many consider Trey Flower’s first season in Detroit as a disappointment after he had only been able to compile seven sacks.  Don’t forget, after the Lions signed Flowers, we didn’t expect a league sack leader.  Flowers does do plenty of impactful things that go unnoticed.  He’s regularly taking on blocking double-teams, and sometimes those even begin with a tight end or running back chipping him before they head out into a pattern.

Flowers often successfully sets the edge for the defense, allowing linebackers to pursue and hunt the football with minimal or no resistance at all.  Somethings don’t show up during the play live but becomes apparent after you focus on Flowers rather than the football during the games’ replays.

The Detroit Lions will significantly benefit from a player that commands some focus lining up opposite Flowers.  Griffen should have been that player, especially after realizing the organization may have been able to land him for $6-million.  Even if the Lions needed to pay a premium to land Griffen, say, $8-million or even nine, he’d been well worth it.

Griffen has recorded 74.5 sacks over his ten-year career.   It appears the Lions are banking on big things from both Da’Shawn Hand and Romeo Okwara entering the 2020 season.