Cowboys Release Greg Ellis

[speedkilz88]

Announced by espn radio on the Michael Irvin Show.

 

[tomson75]

Egads!

 

[Hoofbite]

You mean no one wanted to trade for a soon to be free agent?

 

[speedkilz88]

Cowboys Cut LB Greg Ellis
Posted by jellis at 6/2/2009 1:21 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com

The Cowboys waived outside linebacker Greg Ellis on Tuesday after 11 years with the team. Owner Jerry Jones had announced last week the Cowboys would likely part ways with their first-round pick from the 1998 NFL Draft as he entered the last year of his contract.

Ellis is now free to sign with any team. This was the fourth off-season in a row Ellis voiced concerns over his role on the Cowboys. He said this spring the club had made it clear he would no longer be a starter. With his position set to be taken over by third-year linebacker Anthony Spencer, Ellis asked for the chance to have a more significant role elsewhere.

In April's draft the Cowboys selected a pair of outside linebackers, Victor Butler and Brandon Williams, who coaches hope will be able to contribute in pass-rush situations. Jones said last week the Cowboys were attempting to trade Ellis, but evidently found no takers.

No matter which team Ellis signs with he will receive at least $1.5 million because of the guaranteed portion of his Cowboys contract. If a team signs Ellis for less than that amount, Jones will have to pay the difference.

By cutting Ellis the Cowboys will save his $4.15 base salary, though he will still count $2.1 million against the cap because of the $1.5 million guarantee and a $600,000 signing bonus proration.

The Cowboys released the following statement:
The Dallas Cowboys released linebacker Greg Ellis today. Ellis, who was drafted in the first round (eighth overall) by the Cowboys in 1998, has played in 162 games with 156 starts for the club. For his career, he has recorded 634 tackles, 36 tackles for losses, 197 quarterback pressures and 77.0 sacks – which ranks eighth on the team’s all-time sacks list. He earned his first career Pro Bowl trip following the 2007 season after recording a career-high 12.5 sacks in only 13 games and was also named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2007 after returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2006.

 

[Chief]

Ellis has visited Jerry's office for the last time.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Good.

 

[RESIN8]

So much for Jerry's search for character guys.

 

[StillNothinNice]

He was always my favorite in old school Madden.

Thanks for all the effort through some tough years. GL

 

[tomson75]

So much for Jerry's search for character guys.

This effects that....how?

 

[DallasEast]

It's the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. Step up Anthony Spencer. It's YOUR time now.

 

[WoodysGirl]

It's the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. Step up Anthony Spencer. It's YOUR time now.

Not quite... we still Flozell.

I think Flozell's the last remaining guy from the Jerry/Lacewell era.

 

[AsthmaField]

Good.

...riddance.

 

[robjgrif]

Announced by espn radio on the Michael Irvin Show.

Yes!!!!!:starspin

 

[theebs]

well thats that I guess.

It all started to go downhill during this postgame interview after the rams game in 05.
http://www.4shared.com/file/109462918/f0cf0c41/Greg_Ellis_rams_post_game_interview.html

I hope he goes to cincy and stays out of the east, but he seems a perfect fit in washington.

 

[dmq]

I wouldn't have done this till I saw more out of the rookies. So what happens if Ware or Spencer go down?

 

[dillinger319]

I always thought he was a great Cowboy until these last 2 or 3 years, he became such a whiney butt and my feelings went south real quick....

He was very solid for us and I wish him well as long as its not with the Eagles or Giants..... If he did that to us I would probably hate him.... lol

 

[DallasEast]

Not quite... we still Flozell.

I think Flozell's the last remaining guy from the Jerry/Lacewell era.

Granted, but I was referring only to the Greg Ellis era.

 

[theebs]

I wouldn't have done this till I saw more out of the rookies. So what happens if Ware or Spencer go down?

a certain kickoff specialist is going to take over as a pass rusher for sure.

 

[Alexander]

Bring on the rueage.

 

[Hoofbite]

Not quite... we still Flozell.

I think Flozell's the last remaining guy from the Jerry/Lacewell era.

I thought that was one thing that would keep both Adams and Ellis around for another year or two. Two only guys that they got right back then and I figured Jerry would hold onto them until they were absolutely finished or until they retired.