Greg Ellis to become our Willie McGinnest?

[proline]

I'm not exactly sure what to think of Bill's press conference comments regarding Greg Ellis. He said Ellis didn't need to start worrying about his job until they brought in 3 or 4 more Demarcus Wares. To me, that suggests that they want to try using him in a similar manner to Demarcus Ware, i.e. a pass rushing OLB. But he doesn't have the ability to drop into coverage, and we've currently got Singleton and Carpenter that can play the SOLB position. So how is he going to be in on 70% of the plays (Bill's number)? What do you envision for Ellis this year?

[littlewebs]

All Bill means is that besides Ware, Ellis is the only guy who can consistently pressure the quarterback on this team. Those 8 guaranteed sacks from Ellis the last 5 years are too valuable. Who replaces him? And there's no way Ellis plays any linebacker. You don't make that switch after 8 seasons.

[proline]

So how do you get him in on 70% of the defensive plays? Is he just going to spell Spears and Canty, alternating sides? I don't see him playing all 70% on one side of the line, because that would be taking snaps away from the two quality rookies we picked up last year, guys who should be even better this year. It's just not adding up for me, and I can understand why Ellis is concerned.

[Anguillidae]

Parcells said that he would like to play Ellis a little more then the 50% of the snaps that Ellis played last year. But Parcells said that it wouldn't be as much as 70% (probably the amount Ellis would like).

Ellis will be used on the nickle defense and on different 4-man-front packages. But there have been no reports on these packages yet, because the media has not been paying attention to Ellis - they have all focused on Owens.

[LILCOOK]

Sounds to me like Ellis will be on the trading block if he doesn't except his role, but when has Ellis never excepted his role? Ellis is a standup guy one of my fav. cowboys ever sorta like Eugene Lockhart when he was old & a vet. He could really help out this defense if he plays %70 percent of the snaps on the D-line I.M.O.

[ZeroClub]

Good question, proline.

Parcells mentioned that last year he had to keep the defense simple (due to so many young players). Parcells comments made it clear that he hoped to add some stunts/schemes to the defense that would take advantage of Ellis' ability to generate pressure.

We know that Parcells wants to use Ellis to pressure the QB. Just not sure how Parcells plans to accomplish this.

[Anguillidae]

Sounds to me like Ellis will be on the trading block if he doesn't except his role, but when has Ellis never excepted his role? Ellis is a standup guy one of my fav. cowboys ever sorta like Eugene Lockhart when he was old & a vet. He could really help out this defense if he plays %70 percent of the snaps on the D-line I.M.O.
I don't think Ellis is on the trading block. Unless we can get another Demarcus Ware in exchange.

[superpunk]

It REALLY sounded like they're going to be using Ellis different this year.

Still in on 4 man fronts, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him standing up a little. Maybe not 3-4 yards back, at a LB position, but a little closer....roving DE - maybe? Maybe the media can get their eyes off TO long enough to figure some of that out in the future.

[dbair1967]

Sounds to me like Ellis will be on the trading block if he doesn't except his role, but when has Ellis never excepted his role? Ellis is a standup guy one of my fav. cowboys ever sorta like Eugene Lockhart when he was old & a vet. He could really help out this defense if he plays %70 percent of the snaps on the D-line I.M.O.

even though they have said a bazillion times (including again yesterday) he is going to be here

yeah...really sounds like a trade is brewing :rolleyes:

David

[proline]

But Parcells said that it wouldn't be as much as 70% (probably the amount Ellis would like).

Just quoting from the transcript of the conference on the recap thread, Bill said, "He played about 50% of the plays last year, but I hope to get to 70% this year."

That's a little different from how you phrased it. Looks to me like Bill is the one who wants to shoot for the 70%, not Ellis (who would probably want more than that).

[TheEnigma]

I don't know what they are Planning on having Ellis do, but it sure sounds like there might be some creativity on the Defensive side of the year, as opposed to the blandness we saw last year. I like the sounds of that. :)

[Alexander]

I don't think Ellis is on the trading block. Unless we can get another Demarcus Ware in exchange.

We would be wasting our time expecting much along those lines in exchange for Greg Ellis. We would be fortunate to get a third round pick.

[BlueStar22]

We would be wasting our time expecting much along those lines in exchange for Greg Ellis. We would be fortunate to get a third round pick.
exactly, and i'm sure that Jerry has put "feelers" out there to see what his value is.

[big dog cowboy]

Willie McGinnest - Height: 6-5 Weight: 270

Greg Ellis - Height: 6-6 Weight: 271

It's possible. But I'm not sure he would be a better OLB than what we already have.

[Lifetimeboyzfan]

Just quoting from the transcript of the conference on the recap thread, Bill said, "He played about 50% of the plays last year, but I hope to get to 70% this year."

That's a little different from how you phrased it. Looks to me like Bill is the one who wants to shoot for the 70%, not Ellis (who would probably want more than that).

If you listen or watch the conference, Parcells does actually say "ellis played about 50% of the snaps last year, I'd like to see a little more, but I don't know that it will be 70%" or something to that effect.

[MONT17]

some of u guys crack me up.... u make up your own news! he never said that Ellis would be playing 70%!!! he said more than 50 not more than 70!!! in BILL speak thats 50%!!!

[tunahelper]

I really do not care how much 50/70%. But Ellis needs to get with program and realize times change and players roles change. He cannot be traded and we need him to rush the passer and he needs to get on with it. I always liked him as well as most, but we dont need distractions and B.S. This defense can be special if everyone as BP says set their ego's aside. Ellis is allowing his ego to get the better of him and the team! I like the Jeffcoat comparison I read somewhere as Ellis role now with Dallas. He was very effective for early 90's superbowl teams.

[J-DOG]

The Willie McGinest role is something I think Ellis can gravitate to.
Anyone see a guy like Ratliff in that role also?
Ratliff looks like he could play a similar type of role in terms of size/speed.

[RealCowboyfan]

I'm not exactly sure what to think of Bill's press conference comments regarding Greg Ellis. He said Ellis didn't need to start worrying about his job until they brought in 3 or 4 more Demarcus Wares. To me, that suggests that they want to try using him in a similar manner to Demarcus Ware, i.e. a pass rushing OLB. But he doesn't have the ability to drop into coverage, and we've currently got Singleton and Carpenter that can play the SOLB position. So how is he going to be in on 70% of the plays (Bill's number)? What do you envision for Ellis this year?


Why Ellis can't play "Outside Linebacker"?
-He always played DE since college, he will know how to blitz and get through, but he still wouldn't know how to check tight ends and runningbacks major things for a "OLB" to do.
-Do he recognize coverages, he'll be erractic at recognizing coverages, he won't know if it's a pass or a run, he'll just have to react, use his instincts.
-How about his speed, you'll have to know if he's on the same speed as a Jeremy Shocky, Vernon Davis, Boo Williams, Chris Cooley, (Texans starting Tight End), and L.J Smith, which he just can't that's why we drafted Bobby Carpenter and have Al Singleton for depth.

[jrumann59]

How can a trade be brewing if your coach says "If you got to a 4-3 team you will be ordinary"

[Anguillidae]

Just quoting from the transcript of the conference on the recap thread, Bill said, "He played about 50% of the plays last year, but I hope to get to 70% this year."

That's a little different from how you phrased it. Looks to me like Bill is the one who wants to shoot for the 70%, not Ellis (who would probably want more than that).
You should watch the press conference video. At 16:40 Parcells says: “… he played about 50% of the plays last year. I would hope that was up a little bit, but I wouldn’t expect it to get to 70%.”


Looks like Ellis will be tried at linebacker:
http://www.cowboysplus.com/topstorync/stories/060406cpcowdate.7f40102.html
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said defensive end Greg Ellis will also be used at linebacker this season.

[lspain1]

I really do not care how much 50/70%. But Ellis needs to get with program and realize times change and players roles change. He cannot be traded and we need him to rush the passer and he needs to get on with it. I always liked him as well as most, but we dont need distractions and B.S. This defense can be special if everyone as BP says set their ego's aside. Ellis is allowing his ego to get the better of him and the team! I like the Jeffcoat comparison I read somewhere as Ellis role now with Dallas. He was very effective for early 90's superbowl teams.

I wonder how you would accept it personally if your boss came to you and said..."you are a valuable employee but we need you to accept the (insert less important position here) role we have selected for you." I don't think many of us would be happy with those words and would begin to go through the steps needed to make a change.

Ellis may come to terms with all of this, but I would not be surprised if this was his last season in Dallas.

[proline]

Why Ellis can't play "Outside Linebacker"?
-He always played DE since college, he will know how to blitz and get through, but he still wouldn't know how to check tight ends and runningbacks major things for a "OLB" to do.
-Do he recognize coverages, he'll be erractic at recognizing coverages, he won't know if it's a pass or a run, he'll just have to react, use his instincts.
-How about his speed, you'll have to know if he's on the same speed as a Jeremy Shocky, Vernon Davis, Boo Williams, Chris Cooley, (Texans starting Tight End), and L.J Smith, which he just can't that's why we drafted Bobby Carpenter and have Al Singleton for depth.


Lots of good reasons, but looks like the coaches don't agree ....

............. From the FWST: Cowboys Notes 6/4 thread ...........

Ellis' new role

Defensive end Greg Ellis is not talking to the media.

It's unclear whether Ellis is upset about the role the Cowboys envision for him in 2006.

What's certain is that he didn't like his diminished role last season after losing his starting job to Chris Canty.

The Cowboys aren't putting Ellis back in the starting lineup, but they do see him getting more snaps this season thanks to an expanded defensive package that will have the nine-year veteran playing end and stand-up linebacker.

Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said the expanded package has been installed to confuse an offense.

"The offense has to decide if they are playing us as a four-down front or a three-down front," Zimmer said. "If he is standing up, is he an outside linebacker or is he a defensive lineman?"

Zimmer said the idea dates to Parcells' days as a linebackers coach with the Patriots in 1980, when they did similar things with Tony McGee.

[peplaw06]

............. From the FWST: Cowboys Notes 6/4 thread ...........

Ellis' new role

Defensive end Greg Ellis is not talking to the media.

It's unclear whether Ellis is upset about the role the Cowboys envision for him in 2006.

What's certain is that he didn't like his diminished role last season after losing his starting job to Chris Canty.


I think it's funny how media types "get their feelings hurt" if one guy doesn't talk to them for one day. They seem to have the same sense of entitlement as the athletes they write about. Maybe it's me but if I was in a position where people wanted to interview me and I said, "I don't really feel like it today guys, another time," I would think that's perfectly acceptable and in my discretion to turn you down.

Look at what Ellis said to Spags, posted in another similar thread...

IRVING, Texas - Coming off the practice field Saturday 'bout noon, Greg Ellis walked up the hill toward the door to the training room, head down, trying not to make much eye contact.

Someone asked if he would talk, and respectfully he said, "I ain't got nothing to say right now."

Then a little later, during the open locker room period here at The Ranch, the ninth-year defensive end was seen walking on the outskirts of the locker room toward the weight room with a towel draped over his head. Disguise or sweat?

And even after that, we ran into each other on his way back from the weight room. He knew. He smiled.

"Let's talk tomorrow," Ellis said.

Tomorrow?

"Yeah, tomorrow," he repeated, "and tell the guys I'm not trying to be a (jerk)."


This FWST notes... whatever that is, just started a "controversy" in their own eyes. It's like they got their feelings hurt and are crying about it to anyone who will listen. Did Ellis tell them what he told Spags, maybe not. But to say Ellis isn't talking to the media is just irresponsible, childish and juvenile. I'm really getting tired of the media in all facets.

[jrumann59]

I wish Ellis could produse the numbers McGinest could.

[30yrheel]

ellis is way too slow for LB.

[MichaelWinicki]

even though they have said a bazillion times (including again yesterday) he is going to be here

yeah...really sounds like a trade is brewing :rolleyes:

David

LOL!

Yeah, expect it to be announced at any moment!

[MichaelWinicki]

I wish Ellis could produse the numbers McGinest could.

What are you talking about?

It's not like McGinest has been the 2nd coming of "LT" cos he hasn't been.

Personally I think McGinest has been a little better pass-rusher but not as good a defender against the run.