Does Wade really think Greg Ellis will be an effective starter next season?

[Doomsday101]

Great thing about the 3-4 is Dallas can look at smaller DE with good speed to play the OLB spot. This at least opens up more possibilities in this area such as a guy like Anthony Spencer from Purdue

 

[SultanOfSix]

I don't know, but I'm sure Wade knows more than you about who can be effective and who can't.

 

[zrinkill]

Considering what he can bring if healthy ..... Ellis is a cheap luxury. There is no reason to not expect him to contribute this year ..... If we were counting on him to start all year then it would be a different story.

 

[philo beddoe]

Why would we want Ellis in the starting rotation if he's lost a step? We need some youth and speed.

Excellent point, brother.

 

[BlueStar II]

While I want to be optimistic about Ellis' return, considering his injury and the track record of other's who sustained the same type of injury, CB Kevin Smith immediately comes to mind for us, no matter how optimistic I am trying to be, I can' help but have reservations about his return/performance, and considering the injury and his age, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Hopefully...he'll return to the field and still be an effective player for us, but at this point, that's still a question mark.

 

[zrinkill]

While I want to be optimistic about Ellis' return, considering his injury and the track record of other's who sustained the same type of injury, CB Kevin Smith immediately comes to mind for us, no matter how optimistic I am trying to be, I can' help but have reservations about his return/performance, and considering the injury and his age, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Hopefully...he'll return to the field and still be an effective player for us, but at this point, that's still a question mark.

Kevin Smith would have been fine as a reserve or if he had not had Deion on the other side ....

 

[superpunk]

Posts are disappearing from this thread so fast it's making my head spin...

 

[TheProphet]

I don't know, but I'm sure Wade knows more than you about who can be effective and who can't.

And your point is exactly what? I've asked for thoughts about possible replacements.
Its garbage responses like this from a handful of you guys that soils the atmosphere around here and leads to the hijacking of posts.
Looks like my last response to your rude response was removed, so I've toned it down with this one.

 

[TheProphet]

Posts are disappearing from this thread so fast it's making my head spin...

Selectively at that, I might add...

 

[TheProphet]

Considering what he can bring if healthy ..... Ellis is a cheap luxury. There is no reason to not expect him to contribute this year ..... If we were counting on him to start all year then it would be a different story.

Agreed. However, I have doubts as to his ability to perform solidly this upcoming season. We shall see. I hope Wade addresses this need on draft day.

 

[JonJon]

Ellis has always been a good guy and steady performer. Nothing exceptional, but fairly reliable. However, coming off the type of injury he had, I'd say to expect a big or even average year out of the guy could be a reach. No matter how well his rehab has progressed, I believe all can agree he will have lost a step or two. He's no longer a spring chicken as well. It would be a mistake to put to much faith into him at this point.
The solution? Burning a draft pick for his replacement would obviously be a wise move. Perhaps even a trade should be considered. Our D cannot afford a slow moving LB to be our top pash rusher.
Let's hear some names of prospective guys we should look at in the draft to replace one Mr. Ellis.
Thanks guys.
Make it a great day!

Here are two players that the Cowboys are looking at that might be available in round 3. They are DE tweeners so will need time to get developed in the 3-4, but both have high starting potential in the future.

Dan Bazuin
Defensive End | Senior | Central Michigan
Height: 6-27/8 | Weight: 266 | 40-Time: 4.77

Strengths:
Aggressive and has an outstanding motor...Decent athlete with adequate timed speed and good quickness...Has a terrific first step and great anticipation...Good in pursuit and has a burst to close...Instinctive and always around the action...Is smart and a hard worker with top-notch intangibles...Just has a knack for making plays in the backfield and was extraordinarily productive throughout his career.

Weaknesses:
A bit undersized...Is not very stout against the run...Lacks elite agility and change of direction skills...Has some trouble disengaging from blocks...Can use his hands and play with better leverage...Can be overaggressive at times...He'll miss some tackles and run himself out of plays...Didn't always play against top competition.

Notes:
Nickname is “Buzz”...Had somewhat of a down senior campaign but that was due in part to his dealing with the death of his brother as well as a hospital stay to treat a case of sepsis...Could potentially be moved to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme at the next level...May never be an All-Pro like Julius Peppers but should play in the league for a very long time and most certainly has starting potential.

Year GP TKL TFL SACK 2002 DNP - - - 2003 12 70 14.0 6.0 2004 11 50 8.0 3.0 2005 11 74 26.5 16.0 2006 13 67 15.0 10.5 Totals 47 261 63.5 35.5
Charles Johnson
Defensive End | Junior | Georgia
Height: 6-21/4 | Weight: 270 | 40-Time: 4.87

Strengths:
Terrific bulk and a solid build with long arms...Sheds blockers well...Has very good quickness and athleticism...Is strong and powerful...Locates the ball well...Tough and aggressive...Nice balance and moves down the line well...Stout at the point and does a superb job versus the run...Technically sound and will do all the little things...Has an impressive pass rush repertoire...Was productive...Still improving.

Weaknesses:
A little shorter than you'd prefer...Timed speed is okay but not special...Does not have great range...Not overly explosive and lacks a burst...He won't beat top left tackles off the edge...Had the benefit of playing opposite another good end so he was never the sole focus of attention...Motor is questionable...Upside is limited?

Notes:
Had an outstanding junior campaign and actually outperformed his more highly-touted teammate Quentin Moses in 2006...He might be similar to Charles Grant, another former UGA alum...Could possibly play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme...May never be an elite pro due to his lack of height and speed but could certainly start and be a solid pro for a long time...Very good all-around defensive end prospect.

Year GP TKL TFL SACK 2004 9 6 2.0 1.0 2005 13 23 8.5 4.0 2006 13 44 19.0 9.5 Totals 35 73 29.5 14.5

 

[TheProphet]

Here are two players that the Cowboys are looking at that might be available in round 3. They are DE tweeners so will need time to get developed in the 3-4, but both have high starting potential in the future.

Dan Bazuin
Defensive End | Senior | Central Michigan
Height: 6-27/8 | Weight: 266 | 40-Time: 4.77

Strengths:
Aggressive and has an outstanding motor...Decent athlete with adequate timed speed and good quickness...Has a terrific first step and great anticipation...Good in pursuit and has a burst to close...Instinctive and always around the action...Is smart and a hard worker with top-notch intangibles...Just has a knack for making plays in the backfield and was extraordinarily productive throughout his career.

Weaknesses:
A bit undersized...Is not very stout against the run...Lacks elite agility and change of direction skills...Has some trouble disengaging from blocks...Can use his hands and play with better leverage...Can be overaggressive at times...He'll miss some tackles and run himself out of plays...Didn't always play against top competition.

Notes:
Nickname is “Buzz”...Had somewhat of a down senior campaign but that was due in part to his dealing with the death of his brother as well as a hospital stay to treat a case of sepsis...Could potentially be moved to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme at the next level...May never be an All-Pro like Julius Peppers but should play in the league for a very long time and most certainly has starting potential.

Year GP TKL TFL SACK 2002 DNP - - - 2003 12 70 14.0 6.0 2004 11 50 8.0 3.0 2005 11 74 26.5 16.0 2006 13 67 15.0 10.5 Totals 47 261 63.5 35.5
Charles Johnson
Defensive End | Junior | Georgia
Height: 6-21/4 | Weight: 270 | 40-Time: 4.87

Strengths:
Terrific bulk and a solid build with long arms...Sheds blockers well...Has very good quickness and athleticism...Is strong and powerful...Locates the ball well...Tough and aggressive...Nice balance and moves down the line well...Stout at the point and does a superb job versus the run...Technically sound and will do all the little things...Has an impressive pass rush repertoire...Was productive...Still improving.

Weaknesses:
A little shorter than you'd prefer...Timed speed is okay but not special...Does not have great range...Not overly explosive and lacks a burst...He won't beat top left tackles off the edge...Had the benefit of playing opposite another good end so he was never the sole focus of attention...Motor is questionable...Upside is limited?

Notes:
Had an outstanding junior campaign and actually outperformed his more highly-touted teammate Quentin Moses in 2006...He might be similar to Charles Grant, another former UGA alum...Could possibly play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme...May never be an elite pro due to his lack of height and speed but could certainly start and be a solid pro for a long time...Very good all-around defensive end prospect.

Year GP TKL TFL SACK 2004 9 6 2.0 1.0 2005 13 23 8.5 4.0 2006 13 44 19.0 9.5 Totals 35 73 29.5 14.5

Excellent. This is exactly the type of information I was looking for on this post. Well done. Great job. Others please take note. Many thanks.

 

[Hostile]

Selectively at that, I might add...

Really?

One of mine was deleted.

Drop your victim act.

 

[JonJon]

Excellent. This is exactly the type of information I was looking for on this post. Well done. Great job. Others please take note. Many thanks.

Thanks. I am really high on Bazuin. I know he hasn't played against top competition at Central Michigan, but neither did DeMarcus Ware, and 31 sacks in 2 seasons is pretty hard to ignore. I think he will be a future steal if we can get him in round 3.

 

[TheProphet]

Thanks. I am really high on Bazuin. I know he hasn't played against top competition at Central Michigan, but neither did DeMarcus Ware, and 31 sacks in 2 seasons is pretty hard to ignore. I think he will be a future steal if we can get him in round 3.

Based upon the information you've provided he looks very interesting. I'll do some more research on him. I like what I've seen thus far.

 

[conner01]

i would'nt have a probelm taking a olb in the later rounds although i think we need depth inside alot worse. people seem to forget we used last yrs #1 pick for ellis's replacement

 

[SultanOfSix]

And your point is exactly what? I've asked for thoughts about possible replacements.
Its garbage responses like this from a handful of you guys that soils the atmosphere around here and leads to the hijacking of posts.
Looks like my last response to your rude response was removed, so I've toned it down with this one.

My point is exactly what I said it was.

Don't whine because I answered your question and you didn't like the answer. Also, please look up in the dictionary of internet terms and phrases, the usage of the phrase "hijacking of posts" so you can apply it correctly.

If you feel my responses are "garbage", feel free to put me on ignore.

 

[sago1]

I'll also leave it to Phillips judgement re Ellis. Also keep it in mind that Kevin Smith's achilles injury was around 95 so is about 12 years removed from any new medical developments in this field. If there recent players who've had similar injury, that's what most of us want to know about.

Also Phillips has already said the Chargers really liked Carpenter so I'm thinking Carpenter will be the main if Ellis can't get the job done or is a situational pass rusher--realizing of course Ellis' age is somewhat against him.

No way do I want Godfrey to come here unless he brings something unique to our team. Godfrey's at least 34+, only viable on 1st & 2nd downs, can't cover and doesn't play ST. It would be a waste of cap money & a slot; we'd be much better off bringing in a young player with potential.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

This is with out a doubt a very tough injury for Ellis to fight through

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Posts are disappearing from this thread so fast it's making my head spin...

I was wondering why it appeared so civil...