Greg Ellis on the Block

by Joe Goodberry on May 21, 2009 11:38 PM CDT

The Dallas Cowboys have placed linebacker Greg Ellis on the trading block, according to Calvin Watkins of FanHouse.com.

Ellis, a first-round pick in 1998, is due to earn a base salary of $4.15 million in 2009. He has a cap number of $6.25 million.

The team also sent Ellis home from this week’s Organized Team Activities, presumably keeping him out of harm’s way to avoid owing his base salary in the event of a season-ending injury.

Ellis could fight the move, if he chooses to do so. Three years ago, Titans quarterback Steve McNair pushed for the team to let him in the facility for workouts, presumably to pressure the franchise to trade him or cut him. He filed a grievance, and ultimately won.

In this case, Watkins says that Ellis will receive $1.5 million from the team if he’s cut. So there’s a chance Ellis will try to push the issue.

Watkins says that the Cowboys have targeted New England and Cincinnati as potential destinations, but that the Pats aren’t interested.

profootballtalk.com

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Whhhhhatttt....

thats crazy… I’m not surprised but that’s a little over the top.. making the guy go home

"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards

by nicholas.rodriguez on May 22, 2009 1:45 AM CDT reply actions

He’s a whiner. A malcontent. He’s also an extremely hard worker, a great leader, and an all around classy guy. I’m all for getting younger, and yes his crybaby routine can get old from time to time…but there’s something about him that would make him a hard player to part with. I dunno’.I love both the pass rushers we brought in via the draft. I also love me some Greg Ellis…sometimes.

Epic Fail since 1985

by the red scare on May 22, 2009 2:08 AM CDT reply actions

How can u call somebody classy and a whiner at the same time? I think instead of classy you just mean hes not a wanna-be-thug.

by DavidLaFleur on May 22, 2009 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions

That's not what I meant at all...

He may bitch and moan about this and that, but he still goes out and does his job and even manages to help bring along the young guys who he fears may one day replace him. All class, if you ask me.

Epic Fail since 1985

by the red scare on May 22, 2009 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm not sur ewe can get anything for him

What would you take in trade compensation? I would take a 5th for sure, but I don’t know about a 6th. If the price is a 7th, I think I would rather let him come to camp and battle the kids.

If no one offers anything for him (he’ll be 34 when the season starts, so not sure if he has much value left) do we just release him?

by TCBinNYC on May 22, 2009 9:07 AM CDT reply actions

He still had 8 sacks last year

so any team that is really devoid of a pass rush would take a look, I think the team that might give up the most would be KC which needs a pass rusher as well as a teacher since they will eventually want to go to a 3-4 and Ellis would be a good stop gap for them

"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards

by nicholas.rodriguez on May 22, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

I think it should happen

If we got everyone else out all the whiners should go

by rioplayer7 on May 22, 2009 9:44 AM CDT reply actions

Why move Ellis?

Because of the 3 young guys behind him – Specer has to play – what do the Boys have in Spencer? What about the two 4the round picks – Williams and Butler? put them on the shelf for a couple of years to keep Ellis around? I say trade Ellis and move on with 3 guys eager to prove themselves, sure they’ll make mistakes but hopefully they will also make strides.

by cowboychris on May 23, 2009 1:29 PM CDT reply actions

No one will trade for Ellis

because of his contract. He will end up being released. If a team is interested in him, they wont want to pay him the $4.5M in his salary (plus give any compensation.) They would simply wait for Dallas to release him. Then they can sign him for whatever price they want.

by TCBinNYC on May 23, 2009 3:55 PM CDT reply actions