Greg Ellis Not Happy

thule · 05-03-2007, 11:06 AM

Draft puts him in bad position, Ellis believes

Quote:

By MAC ENGEL
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

The NFL Draft wasn't but a few days old when a real estate agent rang at Greg Ellis' house to hand-deliver his business card.

"This was not some generic thing -- the guy came to my house," the Cowboys linebacker said. "It's the next step. Everybody's assuming I'm gone."

For the second consecutive off-season, Ellis finds his status with the Cowboys as fragile. With the Cowboys selecting Purdue linebacker Anthony Spencer in the first round of the 2007 draft, Ellis sees his time with the Cowboys as potentially over.

And as much as he's tried to avoid the discussion since Saturday, he spoke about it Wednesday afternoon.

"Who wouldn't be frustrated?" asked Ellis, 32. "I'm keeping my cool and my composure. But it's hard not to be frustrated when they constantly move you around, and thank God you are able to play [a new position, linebacker]. Now, they do it to you again."

Ellis said he is not at the point of requesting a trade, a release or an extension. He wants to talk to coach Wade Phillips, and owner/general manager Jerry Jones before he makes a decision about his future. He hopes to do it before the start of the first minicamp May 12.

When Ellis saw the Cowboys pass on Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn in the draft, he agreed with the commitment that made to Tony Romo, and the future.

The team's next move, however, said something about himself.

"Jerry is exactly correct: [Quinn] would have been a steal, and it shows how much confidence they have in Romo," said Ellis, who added that his recovery from a torn Achilles' tendon suffered in November is on schedule. "Then you get to me, and they draft a guy for my position. It's there in your face."

Jones and Phillips said over the weekend that Spencer's arrival does not translate into an Ellis demotion or release; that in Phillips' 3-4 defense, Ellis will have a prominent role rushing quarterbacks.

As much as Ellis wants to believe that, he views his situation not in black and white, but in green and white.

"Money always wins out in these situations," Ellis said. "I can't see any situation where money hasn't won out."

Ellis looks at other Cowboys linebackers -- DeMarcus Ware, Bradie James, Akin Ayodele, Bobby Carpenter and now Spencer -- who are younger and make more money.

But keeping Ellis will not be expensive. Signed through 2009, he is scheduled to make $2.5 million in '07.

One year ago, Ellis wanted out. But he made the transition from a career defensive end to outside linebacker.

Before his injury, he was arguably the team's best defensive player. In nine games, he had 4 1/2 sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles.

Regardless, he views Spencer's arrival as another sign of his imminent departure.

"When a guy is taken in the first round, that guy is asked to contribute early and be the starter," Ellis said. "That's what happened when I got drafted. I took [Kavika Pittman's] spot and they released him."

jdnoyes · 05-03-2007, 11:24 AM

Here we go with Greg again. I understand why he's worried, he probably should be. Really all he can do is come in and compete his ass of and hope for the best. Why talk about it in the media. I think the root of all this is that he's 32 years old and signed a 7 year contract that he now wishes he hadn't of signed. What was good market value 7 years ago is now pocket change, and Jerry has him on the cheap.

I really don't know what he wants. There is no way Dallas gives him more money. There is very little trade value for a 32 year old coming off a serious injury. Perhaps he wants to be released, but I just don't see him getting a large signing bonus again at his age and with the injury. I think he can be a good situational pass rusher this year assuming the leg is right. Perhaps we should release him, but I don't think we will he can still get after the QB.

thule · 05-03-2007, 11:29 AM

Yah, this is confusing to me. 32 years old coming off a major knee injury. Does he think we are going to just go into TC with him and noone else behind him. If he wants to play...all he has to do is outplay him...put up or shut up imo.

robert_in_bigd · 05-03-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thule

Yah, this is confusing to me. 32 years old coming off a major knee injury. Does he think we are going to just go into TC with him and noone else behind him. If he wants to play...all he has to do is outplay him...put up or shut up imo.

Greg thinks nice guy mean "don't have to compete for my job." Reminds me of corporate middle manager,

Im_a_Romosexual · 05-03-2007, 11:37 AM

My message to Greg:
sorry greg, but this is a buisness and we need some insurance incase you dont return from your achilles injury not to mention you are getting older. Shut up and do your job.

leroyisgod · 05-03-2007, 02:23 PM

It's time for Greg to shut up and just play. My message to Greg is this...Get yourself rehabbed, work hard and play your ass off.

It's not like Ellis is an elite player in the NFL. On a scale of 1-10 and ten being all world, he's a 6 or 7. He's a good player, but not all pro. He has to look at things from the standpoint of management. We have a guy that's 32, who has had several injuries in his career.

If Greg just concentrates on rehab and playing, he'll come in and give us 7-9 sacks even in a part time position. Look at Mark Anderson from Chicago last year.

Achilles33 · 05-03-2007, 02:29 PM

I actually could see Ellis getting released. I wouldn't want it because pass rush is the most important part of football, and he can't hurt, but I could see the team thinking he isn't need anymore. Maybe it was there agenda all along...

05-03-2007, 04:55 PM

no we are keeping this guy

Ward · 05-03-2007, 06:37 PM

Why do we keep giving Greg Ellis a pass? He's a whiner and a complainer. Boo-hoo, the scheme has changed. Woe is me, they drafted my replacement two years in a row.

leroyisgod · 05-04-2007, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ward

Why do we keep giving Greg Ellis a pass? He's a whiner and a complainer. Boo-hoo, the scheme has changed. Woe is me, they drafted my replacement two years in a row.

My thoughts exactly...frickin deal with it and earn your spot!!!

Achilles33 · 05-04-2007, 01:38 PM

If I were in the FO, I would tell Jerry and Wade to make Ellis look like a beast up until week 8, and then trade his ass.

Modano · 05-04-2007, 01:50 PM

If Ellis is complaining what should McNabb do?!

leroyisgod · 05-04-2007, 02:21 PM

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Originally Posted by Modano

If Ellis is complaining what should McNabb do?!

Entirely different situtations. McNabb's job is nowhere near in jeopardy. Kolb will be 3rd or 4th on the depth chart.

Modano · 05-04-2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leroyisgod

Entirely different situtations. McNabb's job is nowhere near in jeopardy. Kolb will be 3rd or 4th on the depth chart.

Ellis is complaining because his team drafted a guy of his position with his first pick. The same think that Phialdelphia did. The only difference is that you can use a DE/OLB multiple times in a game even if he's not starting, but you use only one QB for every game.