DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer comment on Cowboys moving Greg Ellis. (via NewsDFW)
Hat tip to DCFanatic for the video link.
With the Cowboys ready for life after Greg Ellis, fellow linebacker DeMarcus Ware talked about Ellis' leadership and the business aspect of pro football.
"He was a mentor to me when I first came in and also we became really good friends," said defensive end DeMarcus Ware, who led the NFL with 20 sacks last year. "Now we're sort of like brothers. We did everything that we could to sort of help the team. But now he's going probably somewhere else to benefit that team, and I've got to do what I need to do to help this team out."
Ware stands as a potential beneficiary of any Ellis move. The Cowboys are trying to sign their best pass rusher to a long-term contract. He doesn't feel any guilt over that.
"You've got to help your team out, but also protect yourself," Ware said. "I don't feel good about it. But at the end of the day, it's a business."
Anthony Spencer sounds ready for his new role.
"For me," Spencer said, "it is [the beginning]."
[snip]
"I’ve worked hard for it, so it feels good right now," Spencer said. "I’m just trying to get better."
As for who is backing up whom.
(Brandon) Williams served as Spencer's backup at strongside outside linebacker Tuesday. Per NFL rules, (Victor) Butler is not allowed to practice yet, but (LBs coach Reggie) Herring said Butler likely will begin his career as Ware's backup at weakside outside linebacker, with veteran Justin Rogers moving to strongside outside linebacker.
But Butler and Williams are expected to work at both positions, Herring said.
More VRR after the jump.
Tim McMahon is already at it with his 53-man roster prediction. Watching the OTAs inspired him to throw 11 of the 12 draftees on the team (sorry Manuel Johnson). He's also got Junior Siavii being the only backup to Jay Ratliff, and neither Pat Watkins nor Courtney Brown making the cut.
The Sporting News ranks Ken Hamlin as the #11 safety in the league. Here's what they say about "The Hammer".
11. Ken Hamlin, Cowboys. He has great range and can track down a lot of balls playing center field. He is at his best jumping routes in zone coverage but can also match up with tight ends and wideouts in the slot.
Check out regaberto's FanShots for some other Cowboys rankings from TSN.
Tra Battle didn't last but a day after being released by Dallas on Wednesday. The Detroit Lions have already claimed the safety off waivers.
When will the media stop asking T.O. about his relationship with Tony Romo? Evidently, Romo failed to mention Owens by name last week. Are you kidding me? Here's what the new Buffalo Bill had to say:
Dude, I could care less," Owens said with a laugh following the Buffalo Bills voluntary minicamp practice Wednesday. "I mean, he doesn't mention my name, that's fine. What about it?"
Owens spoke in response to a question regarding Romo, who declined to refer to the receiver by name after the Cowboys practiced last week for the first time since Dallas released Owens in March. Though Romo didn't say anything negative, the quarterback referred to Owens with nothing more personal than "he."
Yesterday, the ceremonial ribbon was cut at the new Cowboys Stadium.
Jerry Jones and other members of the Dallas Cowboys leadership team gathered for the ceremony, along with city officials, to christen the stadium.
Those in attendance were able to watch the glass retractable end zone doors open -- an event that allowed participants to feel the full effect of sitting inside the state-of-the-art stadium.
Click here for a handheld video of the stadium's opening. Click here for DC.com's 30-minute version, or DMN's condensed minute and a half version, here.
Former Dallas special teams coach and current SpikeTV star, Joe Avezzano, recently did a Q & A with The Oregonian. Anybody know Coach Joe's record as head coach of the Oregon State Beavers, some 25 years ago? How about 6-47-2!
Romo may be more of an avid golfer, but my money is on Wade Phillips to outdrive his starting quarterback. The head coach not only helped raise money for the Babe Zaharias Foundation this past weekend; he also pulled a John Daly.
Phillips, despite having picked up his golf clubs only a couple of times this year, also authored one of the most impressive shots in the tournament. His drive on the 300-yard, par 4, 5th hole wound up 10-feet past the cup. Voigtman (his partner) rolled in the putt for an eagle 2.