Ellis improving legacy

[ltrainer28]

Ellis covering Winslow in last week’s game really got me thinking about how under appreciated Ellis can be at times. Looking at the whole of his career considering he was the only major established pass rusher for many years working through double teams, the changing of positions from DE to OLB, and now as he is getting up there in physical age he’s covering a top flight receiving TE? Versatility that I consider fairly rare.

He’s been at the top of our sack list for almost all of the years he’s been here, and still impresses me with his production. I know his press attitude has been shaky at times, but I think in the locker room he has been nothing but a warrior. Is he HOF material? I hope he at least gets a look, and I think some positives are his longevity, steady but not phenomenal production, and a big boost for adaptability. That being said, I think the answer from the panel will be no, but I personally being part Cowboy Homer hopes he gets in.

 

[CM Duck]

nice post, but I dont think he will be HOF material...

Honestly, i wouldnt even think he has a legacy here.

He is a leader on defense, but of all the current defensive players we have on this roster there is only one that CAN possibly leave a Dallas Cowboys legacy here and maybe be a HOFer(as a carreer long Cowboy). And that's D. Ware.

I am not saying Ellis is a bottom of the barrell player, but I wouldnt put him that high on MY list

 

[AbeBeta]

Is he HOF material?

Seriously?

Ellis is a solid DE and now OLB.

I've loved his game since he came into the league. As a DE he stayed in his lanes and didn't over pursue.

He got great recognition last year as a legit "pressure" player.

But don't kid yourself. He will never get HoF consideration.

 

[Nexx]

he's about as HOF worthy as Tony Tolbert without any rings. in other word, very solid but not elite, not gonna happen.

 

[ltrainer28]

Agreed. I looked up his stats and they do not support A HOF entry. Only 69 career sacks, and only one year, did he accumulate double digit sacks. Starting his 11th year, avg of 7 sacks per year. Has Ellis earned a legacy as a cowboy. I vote yes.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Saying HOF is a little overboard. He just made his 1st pro bowl last year. HOF players are the elite players, the pro bowlers who go year in and year out. Ellis is a reliable, and steady veteran. He's not underrated by our organazition or the coaches here. Fans are fickle as we know.

 

[Sarge]

Ellis is not a HOF'er and he won't have the greatest legacy here either. Having said that, he has been one of the most underappreciated players on this team for a long long time.

The word "solid" comes to mind.

 

[MapleLeaf]

...and Greg Ellis will never be used after he retires. As many posters have stated before "solid" is a acceptable term and describes his career to the point.

Prior to his broken leg he showed terrific promise. Oddly enough the fortunes of the Cowboys mirrors Ellis career-mostly up and down.

His past three seasons in which he displayed his fragile side to the media in training camps will taint his legacy as a Cowboy.

 

[Smith22]

Ellis is not a HOF'er and he won't have the greatest legacy here either. Having said that, he has been one of the most underappreciated players on this team for a long long time.

The word "solid" comes to mind.

Well said Sarge. He has done his fair share of whining, but the guy shows up on Sunday. I really hope the Cowboys take care of business this year and bring home number 6, giving Ellis the option to go out on top.

 

[pgreptom]

Ellis never covered Winslow. He simply jammed him at the LOS and played a zone. He sacrificed his "possible sacks" to jam Winslow.

 

[Vtwin]

I'd put Ellis a bit higher then "solid" on the scale. He played the majority of his career on a very weak defense with a bunch of scrubs as linemates. Stats never tell the whole story in situations like this. Averaging seven sacks a year while being the ONLY pass rushing threat for most of those years is impressive. The minute the Cowboys put some talent around him he exploded with a pro bowl season. Despite being in a completely different system.

He won't get any HOF consideration but had he had ANY help before the last couple years he very well may have.

Ellis is the most under appreciated Cowboy I can remember and he gets a bad wrap with fans with his "attitude probems".

He is all heart and with heart comes emotion.

A class act, a great football player and a warrior who will always be a favorite of mine.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Ellis covering Winslow in last week’s game really got me thinking about how under appreciated Ellis can be at times. Looking at the whole of his career considering he was the only major established pass rusher for many years working through double teams, the changing of positions from DE to OLB, and now as he is getting up there in physical age he’s covering a top flight receiving TE? Versatility that I consider fairly rare.

He’s been at the top of our sack list for almost all of the years he’s been here, and still impresses me with his production. I know his press attitude has been shaky at times, but I think in the locker room he has been nothing but a warrior. Is he HOF material? I hope he at least gets a look, and I think some positives are his longevity, steady but not phenomenal production, and a big boost for adaptability. That being said, I think the answer from the panel will be no, but I personally being part Cowboy Homer hopes he gets in.

He didn't have double digit sacks for a season till last year,

 

[cowboyeric8]

I'd put Ellis a bit higher then "solid" on the scale. He played the majority of his career on a very weak defense with a bunch of scrubs as linemates. Stats never tell the whole story in situations like this. Averaging seven sacks a year while being the ONLY pass rushing threat for most of those years is impressive. The minute the Cowboys put some talent around him he exploded with a pro bowl season. Despite being in a completely different system.

He won't get any HOF consideration but had he had ANY help before the last couple years he very well may have.

Ellis is the most under appreciated Cowboy I can remember and he gets a bad wrap with fans with his "attitude probems".

He is all heart and with heart comes emotion.

A class act, a great football player and a warrior who will always be a favorite of mine.

Spot on. He has always been a favorite of mine too. Much like Dexter Coakley won't be a Cowboy legacy just because he was on the sucky team.

 

[ltrainer28]

What I find most interesting in the Ellis stat dynamic is what could have been. How much do players reap the benefit of the supporting cast? I would wager a significant amount is owed to the teammates. Look no further than our own HOF entry's.

Aikman in Detroit? Irvin in Arizona? White in Tampa Bay? All benefited from the outstanding players they played with. It's still possible all of the above could have made it in, but highly diminished. I believe if Ellis was surrounded by an above average supporting defensive cast his enitire career he would have made double digit sacks for most of the 10 years he played. When we drafted him from North Carolina with the eight pick, I think he had twenty plus sacks that year.

It's all hypothetical, and the same can be said for a lot of other extremly talented players on our teams and others. Kevin Smith was also one of my favorites who I think if he remained healthy was very special.

 

[junk]

When we drafted him from North Carolina with the eight pick, I think he had twenty plus sacks that year.

Or nine.

Ellis is solid and I'm sure he's a nice guy, but he's the most insecure player I've ever seen. He might have taken that step from solid to star if he had a little fire in his belly.

Unfortunately, he's considered one of the defensive "leaders" for a team that has consistently faded down the stretch and I'm sure his attitude plays some part in that.

 

[BehindEnemyLinez]

Ellis is a good, productive TEAM (despite his offseason whimpering) player who the coaching staff seems to know they can rely on. Solid is a good description of him, IMO, because he's never been the "game-changer" type who could dominate the opposition. Definitely not a HOFer, but he should be more than an afterthought in the annals of Cowboys history (even if it's tied to JJ NOT drafting Moss )!

 

[ltrainer28]

Or nine.

Your right. My memory of his sack accomplishments seems to grow in proportion to my age.

He still holds the all time sack lead for North Carolina. Some pretty good players came out of that program. Julius Peppers comes to mind.

 

[Va_BoysFan4 Life]

I'd put Ellis a bit higher then "solid" on the scale. He played the majority of his career on a very weak defense with a bunch of scrubs as linemates. Stats never tell the whole story in situations like this. Averaging seven sacks a year while being the ONLY pass rushing threat for most of those years is impressive. The minute the Cowboys put some talent around him he exploded with a pro bowl season. Despite being in a completely different system.

He won't get any HOF consideration but had he had ANY help before the last couple years he very well may have.

Ellis is the most under appreciated Cowboy I can remember and he gets a bad wrap with fans with his "attitude probems".

He is all heart and with heart comes emotion.

A class act, a great football player and a warrior who will always be a favorite of mine.

I'm in total agreement with you. We all know that he will never be considered for the HOF and I too hope that the Boys take it all so that he can possibly go out on top. I think when we look back, he will be mentioned as a solid Cowboy with the like of Jethro Pugh, Leon Lett, etc. Those that were solid but did not do a whole lot to stand out.

 

[theogt]

If you could get this sort of production for this long out of all of your first round picks, you'd have a helluva team.

 

[Wolfpack]

Image if Ellis wasnt contaminated by Zimmer for all those year.