DMN Blog: Spencer wants Ellis to stay

[Angus]

Spencer wants Ellis to stay

Greg Ellis hasn't taken his frustrations with his contract out on the kid who was drafted to replace him.

Quite the opposite, actually. Ellis has gone out of his way to help Spencer make the position switch Ellis made last season.

It's a common sight during OTA and minicamp practices to see Ellis pull Spencer off to the side. Spencer said he sits behind Ellis in every meeting and asks frequent questions. Ellis has yet to give anything but a polite, helpful answer.

"I'd love for him to be here," Spencer said. "I'm definitely looking forward to having him here all season helping me."

Ellis says he's just doing the same thing for Spencer that veterans (specifically Leon Lett) did for him as a rookie. He said it isn't Spencer's fault that the Cowboys aren't taking care of him, and that he hopes and expects the rookie will succeed.

"I've told the coaches, 'You've got a great outside linebacker,'" Ellis said, referring to Spencer. "What's the hold-up [in letting Ellis go]?"

Posted by Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/standing/icons/email.gif at 5:05 PM

 

[diamond cutter]

I agree that Ellis has gotten the shaft with his contract, but as a business it would be rediculous to re-work his contract before he has proven that he can perform at his pre-injury form. I appreciate Ellis' ability to be a real pro and educate the rookie. I will always feel that he is a class act. If you put yourself in his shoes you can see his point.

 

[DallasInDC]

I agree that Ellis has gotten the shaft with his contract, but as a business it would be rediculous to re-work his contract before he has proven that he can perform at his pre-injury form. I appreciate Ellis' ability to be a real pro and educate the rookie. I will always feel that he is a class act. If you put yourself in his shoes you can see his point.

They could do an incentive laden deal that would require ellis to prove that he is healthy and still capable based on his performance. Not sure Ellis would accept that but he really isn't in a position to negotiate .

 

[swj010]

I agree that Ellis has gotten the shaft with his contract, but as a business it would be rediculous to re-work his contract before he has proven that he can perform at his pre-injury form. I appreciate Ellis' ability to be a real pro and educate the rookie. I will always feel that he is a class act. If you put yourself in his shoes you can see his point.

Ellis had not gotten the shaft on his contract. He delibereately negotiated a cpa friendly contract with reasonable late year salaries so that he would not be cut like so many have been when those "balloon" salaries hit in later years. He wanted assurance he would be able to play out his contract. Now he wants out because he thinks he might make more somewhiere else. All this "they need to take care of me" stuff is hogwash. They are taking care of hime because he is a solid player with a reasonable contract. He wanted security and got it. He could have chosen risk and maybe reaped a big contract although I don't think so. Just ask Grant Wistrom.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I bet Jerry wouldn't even mind giving Ellis some kind of small contact extension and raise, but he can't do it with Ellis squawking in the press the way he has been. It would lead to every other player doing the same thing.

 

[sago1]

I don't understand why Ellis would want a release now. Unless his agent has secretly been soliciting interest in Ellis around the NFL (and has got interest), doubtful if there much interest until he shows what he can do in TC & preseason games. Even then, how much would other teams (except for the Skins) would pay a 32 year old vet just coming off this serious injury is debtable.

 

[BouncingCheese]

I want Ellis here also; Ellis played the 4-3 as Anthony Spencer did for years, and can give Spencer the perspective of a former DE who transitioned... Ellis can show Spencer the small things he used to make the switch which I think would be invaluable... Also, Ellis was never close to Spencer's athletic ability and as such with all the cagey vets, know little tricks that Spencer can use. I say keep him this year for sure.

 

[diamond cutter]

I don't understand why Ellis would want a release now. Unless his agent has secretly been soliciting interest in Ellis around the NFL (and has got interest), doubtful if there much interest until he shows what he can do in TC & preseason games. Even then, how much would other teams (except for the Skins) would pay a 32 year old vet just coming off this serious injury is debtable.

I agree. I don't think it would be in his best interest to want out now. There is no market for a guy coming off his injury.

I cannot stand people that want to constantly renegotiate their contracts, but I do feel that it isn't right that he is making the least amongst all the starting linebackers. I know that he agreed to the contract and needs to own up to that, but as a worker I want to be rewarded for loyalty and performance.

 

[BouncingCheese]

The team that would want him most would probably be the 'skins; but they are cap-strung... so that means Shawn Springs is gone if Ellis leaves to make more space.

That being said he is here until next offseason I think

 

[Hostile]

I agree that Ellis has gotten the shaft with his contract

I cannot stand people that want to constantly renegotiate their contracts

Holy stripped gears Batman. Talk about throwing it in reverse.

 

[diamond cutter]

Hos,

I understand that is an open contradiciton, but I feel Ellis deserves some sort of reward for his contributions. The guy's value was proven when the pass-rush fell apart last year after his injury. I think his contributions to the team have been incredibly undervalued over the years.

 

[Alexander]

but I feel Ellis deserves some sort of reward for his contributions. The guy's value was proven when the pass-rush fell apart last year after his injury.

So why didn't Flozell Adams demand a contract extension in minicamp last year?

I wonder how many people would have been in support of that.

It is exactly the same scenario. Player goes down, the entire unit collapses and that one player is looked at as the primary reason.

For some reason, people feel Ellis, who has never achieved anything much other than being a great citizen, is viewed as getting a raw deal. Yet, Flozell Adams, who actually has something noteworthy on his resume, is perceived as being overpaid.

I suppose if people felt he was a nice person if they would feel differently.

I guarantee some of you would. The hypocrisy is sickening.

 

[David276]

not sure maybe ellis was always like this? Im sure none of the players are 100% with the Dallas sports media all the time. But it would really just suck for him to hold out or not play and for jerry to have to pull the plug on him . Ellis knows this team needs him in more ways than just playing olb.

 

[big dog cowboy]

but I feel Ellis deserves some sort of reward for his contributions.

That is a dangerous path to go down. You open that door, nothing but bad things can come in. See the status of our own team the years after super bowl xxx.

 

[Tricky-22]

JJ has been very loyal to the players who have been loyal to him. If Ellis would shut up and play to his potential, then JJ will do right by him.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Greg Ellis should get his wish and be released..

 

[CowboyMike]

Spencer reminds me of the innocent Ellis back in the day.

I have always loved Ellis as a member of the team. I was crushed when he was injured last year. In fact I started a thread if I can find it that totally dealt with that. I wasn't expecting him to complain this year. He's really dissapointed me.

So....

With someone as classy as Spencer, as this is evident of, who needs someone like Ellis on the team?

 

[eduncan22]

Greg Ellis should get his wish and be released..

Why would we want to release one of our top players?

 

[CrazyCowboy]

What's the hold up? Depth!

 

[STSINAZ]

OH i see ellis is motivated by getting his release if spencer does well...