Does anyone else feel that wanting to leave this team now is a bit crazy?!

[LarryCanadian]

I'm specifically talking about Ellis. Yes, I'm disappointed that he's whinning. No, I don't think he's all that great a team player anymore since it's been going on for 2 + years now. Yeah, it's kind of crappy circumstances for him with the switch to 3-4 and him signing a big contract before knowing that was going to happen. But from where I sit as a fan of his and the team, I don't think he's ever been underpaid. He's never gotten 10 sacks. Solid player, but not a game breaker except for that first season of his before his leg injury. Ellis never really had any competition for his job here before, although to his credit he always seemed a hard worker.

My question is, what is this guy thinking? He must have enough money by now. Since the guy was drafted, the team has really really struggled and declined year by year until Parcells came. Now the team legitimately has a shot at making noise in the playoffs and has a very solid foundation, particularly on defense to be strong for a number of years to come. And he wants to jump ship now? Where is his pride as a player wanting to make the team he's been on from start of NFL career into a winner. Why the heck wouldn't he want to be part of playoff success and a superbowl run now that this team is a contender again after 10 years. This is what is most disappointing to me. Yes he might not get as many plays and all of a sudden he is competing with younger and very talented draft picks, but come on. He must have enough money by now. Doesn't he want to win and prove that he was a part of the team becomming a winner again. This is where I'm disappointed in him. I don't see this player as having the same amount of "class" etc as I used to think about him.

I now am getting more a "when the going gets tough, Ellis wants to go somewhere else" attitude from him. The long in the mouth sulking is tired already Ellis. Is it really all about the money for him. All about it needing to be the perfect position for him? Is he too old to learn some new tricks and try to contribute in a different fashion. Yeah if he sucks or the team benches him again later in season it might cost him a few bucks next year, but I highly doubt some team wouldn't take a chance on him. They know he's solid in the 4-3 and not burnt out yet. As Parcells has said, once a guy hits 30, be thankfull he ain't out there 80% of the plays and potentially cutting a year or 2 off his career.

Sorry, but this pouting and complaining to the media does not show me the character of a "leader" of an improving team. It doesn't show me the spirit of a winner. It also doesn't show me a guy that if it was me, would want to remain on the team I've spend my entire NFL career on and help take it to the next level in whatever way I can help. Very disappointing.

And yes, I understand that there is no loyalty the other way either and that the Cowboys would likely cut strings shortly after a young player or two emerges showing they can play to the same level or at least play solid with upside.

Doesn't matter. My coach potato opinion on this player has fallen significantly over the last couple of years. I hope he's not one of them, but some players play better when they are considered one of the better players on a poor team, strange as it sounds.

Oh well, not much to talk about, so I'd vent about this guy. Everything seems to be moving in the right direction for this team and he's been pulling the sulky business for 2 years. Get over it already.

Larry

 

[sago1]

Actually I think for most NFL players it's all about the money. And I don't see anything wrong with that. We the fans would do the same thing and you know it. If we had a job with a company and another company approached us offering lot more money, you tell me anyone of us would turn it down. Heck we'd take the money and be out of town (or wherever the job takes us) in a New York minute.
This isn't the NFL of yesteryear where a player was forced to stay with a team forever & earned lot less money. We sure don't complain when the Cowboys sign away FAs from other teams. Get real here; the NFL is a business and these players care only about their next paycheck.
We all expect loyalty from Ellis but must of us think he will be gone after the end of this season (even before he started publicly complaining) because of the influx of new young quality players like DE bookends Canty and Spears. Throw in Ratliff & especially Hatcher and doubt there would be room for Ellis next year and he sees the writing on the wall. Don't forget near the end of last season, Ellis saw less and less play as Canty played even more & that's a tough pill for vet player like Ellis to swallow.

 

[lspain1]

Ellis has been a solid player for many years. But he is looking forward to his last significant contract in the NFL when this latest contract expires and he is worried that contract will not be worth all it could be. If I were him, facing a raft of young players and reduced playing time, I'd be worried too. I might not like the public complaining but I can't say I blame him and I suspect I might do the same thing were I in his shoes.

The more interesting thing about the Ellis situation is what the Cowboys organization thinks of him. It does not look like the Cowboys have done anything to trade him. That means they clearly see value in keeping him, whether he is unhappy or not. However, the fact that Ellis has been moved to a situational/backup role at his age and productivity says volumes about both the change to the 3-4 scheme and the depth and quality of our DL.

Our pass rush last year was nothing to write home about and Ellis remianed one of our most productive in that department. Parcells said in his press conference that Ellis could take on a pure pass rush role, excel, and maximize his value for now and the futue. We'll see if it works out. Another interesting story in this year's version of the Dallas Cowboys.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

I feel it hurts our team the most because the other teams will not offer us equal value in a trade.....

 

[lurkercowboy]

I feel it hurts our team the most because the other teams will not offer us equal value in a trade.....

Good point. They know Ellis is probably gone anyway, so why would they offer good value? It also hurts GE because other teams know they don't have to lure him away with big $$$.

I agree that Ellis' constant whining about it is a disgrace to him. If only he would realize it and cut it out.