Ellis fighting a losing battle

by Terry on Aug 2, 2006 11:01 AM CDT in Dallas Cowboys News

Mickey Spags talks with Greg Ellis about his transition to OLB and how Greg will never win this battle he has with the Cowboys front office in wanting to renegotiate his current contract. After reading the article I am becoming more sympathetic to Greg's position. He's making a severe position change late in his career and wants some form of committment from the Cowboys that they won't cut him if it fails. Here's Mickey's take on the situation.

Now this whole experiment makes a whole lot of sense to me, and probably makes sense to Ellis. It's just that Greg is a known worry-wart. He's a perfectionist, and is worried about change so late in his career. He's also worried about his security, i.e. money. Can't really blame him for that.

But just seems to me Ellis has been too valuable - and is too valuable - for the Cowboys to do something that would waste his talent. After all, the question you must ask yourself, especially those espousing the theory of trading Ellis: Besides Ware, where else are you going to get eight sacks if Ellis isn't here? Come on, who? And, got you any pass-rushing nickel ends for the side opposite Ware?

Spags has got a point. We need Ellis to put pressure on the QB from the strong side so teams don't always double Ware. While I realize he is 31 and feels he might not be able the transition, I don't think Parcells would put him in a position to fail. He has to trust his head coach and everything should work out fine. Ellis just has to accept his new role and keep being the player he has always been.

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Wow

After reading that I suddenly see the starting LBs being Ware, James, Carpenter, and Ellis by the end of the season. If Greg can pick up the coverage part, which he seems to be doing, the pass rush from the LBs could be relentless (Carpenter was a very good pass rusher at Ohio State).

Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam

by LRogue on Aug 2, 2006 12:24 PM CDT reply actions

guess what guys...

regardless of what some people think about greg, we need him...

and if this experiment works out like parcells wants it to, ware is going to benefit tremendously...

by Tuna Helper on Aug 2, 2006 12:49 PM CDT reply actions

I think...

that after a few games, and Greg sees how this can work for him, it will be fine. That would be a HELL of a LB core!!!!!!!! Then you include singleton and Akendoyl (however you spell his name) as back-ups, can you say ASS WHOOPING!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn...I can't wait until the season starts!

Cowboy fan since I was conceived!

by airtyme on Aug 2, 2006 2:00 PM CDT reply actions

It'll work out

Ellis was bitchin last year when they announced the switch to the 3-4 and look what happened. He got 8 sacks. They want him at end when they play the 4 man fronts, and they will use him as a stand up LB in obvious passing situations. He will be fine. I just wish he could voice his displeasure in-house and not in the press. It doesn't help anyone, especially Ellis.

by APerfectStar on Aug 2, 2006 2:51 PM CDT reply actions