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Cowboys sign LB Keith Rivers

By Ryan Ratty

Sep 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) makes a reception during the third quarter as Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Keith Rivers (56) defends at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Bills 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) makes a reception during the third quarter as Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Keith Rivers (56) defends at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Bills 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Keith Rivers has signed with the Dallas Cowboys.

The Dallas Cowboys went into the 2014 NFL season with a ton of questions at their linebacker positional group. Considering star inside linebacker Sean Lee tore his ACL in OTAs and promising weakside DeVonte Holloman needed to retire because of multiple neck injuries, there was reason to believe this would be the worst positional group on the roster. However, Rolando McClain was a godsend for the Cowboys, Bruce Carter played better at the strongside linebacker position, Justin Durant was playing great until he got injured, and rookie Anthony Hitchens showed a ton of promise. Despite that, the Cowboys have signed veteran linebacker Keith Rivers.

According to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys have officially signed the veteran linebacker.

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When the 2015 season rolls around, Rivers will be 29 years old, so considering he’s in the prime of his career, the Cowboys will be getting a guy who was drafted in the top ten of his respective draft class at a cheap price. Sure he has failed to stay healthy throughout much of his career, but considering the Cowboys will likely use him as a special teams player and a rotational linebacker, he will likely be able to last a full season. It should also be said that Rivers has been around this league for awhile and he will be a good mentor to Hitchens, who will be entering the second year of his career this upcoming season.

Obviously, this isn’t a sexy move at all, however, the move gives the Cowboys a guy who many had a ton of expectations for and it also gives them a player that is versatile enough to play all three linebacker positions in Dallas 4-3 defense. Another thing that needs to be said is that Durant, McClain, and Carter are all free agents this summer, so signing a player like Rivers isn’t a bad contingency plan. This is the typical low-risk, high-reward kind of move that smart football teams make. If Rivers can stay healthy and contribute, this move will be a real nice one for the Cowboys.

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