ESPN: Jones doesnt rule out ellis return

[Ren]

I'm not a fan of Ellis coming back unless it's a 1 day deal so he can retire a cowboy

 

[Oh_Canada]

There is no way Jerry brings back that whiney loser is there? Is there?

 

[Randy White]

this turned into an Ellis hatin' club thread..

Wish I knew you guys back in '98 and '99..

 

[Vtwin]

The window for this team is open right now. This isn't the time for waiting for guys to progress if you can put someone in that can already do it.

This defense runs off the pass rush. Bringing in proven depth at rushing the passer doesn't sound like a bad idea to me.

 

[Illini88228]

Am I the only one who thinks this is just a case of Jerry Jones not wanting to hurt the feelings of someone that he's personally friends with? I mean Ellis was one of the only solid players here for a long time. By saying that he wouldn't rule it out, he could just be avoiding saying that he doesn't want someone he's been friends with for over a decade on the team again.

Jerry is fiercely loyal to his guys and builds really close relationships with them (see who is introducing Emmitt at the HOF). I think this is just his way of protecting one of his guys' feelings--one who proved that he could be a little sensitive.

 

[21Savage]

This is a move you make after a couple of weeks in training camp, not right now, if an injury occurs and/or you feel the Brandon and Victor haven't made the necessary development required to be depended on.

You don't make this move now. We have two young, gifted pass rushers. Ellis might be the third best edge rusher on this team now, but he offers nothing else.

 

[28 Joker]

A return of a distracting whiner like Greg Ellis would basically demonstrate that Jerry Jones learned absolutely nothing from last season.

The Cowboys were a stronger team last year with the leadership that stepped forward more than they have been since before they last won a playoff game.

I know there are plenty of very unintelligent people who have been deluded by the crafted "team-first" Greg Ellis persona, but nothing is further from the truth. He too was an individual, about himself, his playing time, his money and his contract.

Nothing good would be accomplished by adding him back in the mix. I would as soon add Owens back. It is the same. Nobody is better between the lines, with practices and as a role model on how to work than Owens. If that's what someone thinks they are getting with Ellis, do it for Owens then. Both whine about their playing time and their money. Owens is just louder.

I agree. You said it well.

"I" Owens got headlines, but Ellis was just as bad, imo. He blocked Anthony Spencer's development. He constantly complained to the media "about his role, his contract, his playing time". Temmates bought into the "Ellis hype", created by Ellis. Some of the Cowboys thought Ellis was as good as Ellis thought he was.

Ellis turned into an "I" player. He acted like a baby, imo. He walked out of OTAs when Spencer was getting "his reps". The coach felt the need to "baby" his inflated ego, and Spencer's PT was affected. Phillips said he should have played Spencer more in 2007 and in 2008. Ellis' play was in severe decline, and he was a terrible leader. Amonte Toomer is still running by the way. Ellis had the second shot at him in that playoff game.

"I" players poison the lockerroom. Didn't Matt Mosley report that Ellis and that "Water Pistol" formally known as "Tank" Johnson ran to Jerry Jones and cried about how the head coach was "using them"?

There was nothing like Greg Ellis talking about "his" situation and whether the team wanted him back, right after Dallas blew that playoff game to the Giants. This guy immediately starts talking about "his" role on the team after the team just lost one of the biggest games in it's history. Way to put yourself first Ellis. The sweat isn't even dry, yet. Your teammates are hurting, and you are worried about yourself.

He wouldn't play for me again, but I'm not the coach. I'd rather lose than play with "I" players.

Ellis became an "I" player who thought he was better than Spencer.

Finally, I don't think the Cowboys will bring him back. Ellis thought Owens did no harm here. Sure he did, because he knew how to politic the lockerroom just like Owens.

 

[Padd]

Would hate this move...He had the attitude that I was glad we got rid of....

Exactly.

 

[dalboy]

http://i2.***BLOCKED***/albums/y48/virumor/Noooo.jpg

 

[gimmesix]

i dont think his presence was and will be a problem.

the only problem i have with him returning is it will be a progress stopper.

brandon williams is a guy i like but he is coming off a acl injury, but butler is another young player i would to see get some playing time. he played well when given the chance

I really don't think every veteran a team signs as a backup has to be a progress stopper (and that gets bandied about too much as a reason not to sign them).

What stops progress is if you are committed to keeping/playing that veteran no matter what. If he's brought in with the idea that he doesn't make the team if the younger players show they can contribute or if there isn't an injury, then he's not stopping progress.

Giving Ellis a contract/promise that forces Dallas to keep him no matter what would be wrong. Signing him for cheap as insurance would not.

What would he be insurance against?

1) Injury.

2) Victor Butler not making the next step from being a limited pass-rushing specialist to a full backup contributor.

3) Brandon Williams not bouncing back from his injury to deserve a roster spot and any kind of playing time.

4) Curtis Johnson showing that the Colts had good reason not to keep him on their 53-man roster.

This past season we were forced to keep Steve Octavien as our fourth outside linebacker not just because of special teams because he was a) the best backup OLB we had coming out of training camp and b) Brandon Williams' injury. Even after we got Curtis Johnson, Octavien hung on because Johnson proved he had too much to learn to be a reliable backup or even beat Octavien out on special teams (where Octavien was good but not great).

If it comes down to such a situation again, I'd much rather see Dallas have Ellis around to fill a backup role over Octavien. Simple as that.

 

[Beast_from_East]

I cant believe Jerry is actually considering this.

Ok Ellis, if your cry baby arse comes back there are a couple of things we need to get straight here.

First, you are a backup and not a starter. If your ego cant handle that, then dont even bother getting on the plane. Second, your role is situational pass rusher and nothing more. This means no crying to the media about playing time or how you are being used. Last, you play for the vet min and you dont say a dam word about your contract to the media or the fans.

Thats the groundrules and there is no debate, period.

 

[AlterEgo]

I'm not liking this potential move either. Just think if Austin Miles didn't get his chance last year if we had an aging vet ahead of him on the bench. We may or may not have talent with the rookie/2nd year OLBs but the point is finding out. Now if, God forbid, Ware or Spencer got hurt in training camp then bring him in.

 

[trickblue]

i would be ok with this if ellis is ok knowing he is a backup player now not a starter. now if we sign ellis back it means the coaching staff may not believe that butler or williams are ready to play or even start a game or two.

Would hate this move...He had the attitude that I was glad we got rid of....

I think he knows his place now...

He felt he was still a starter... he wasn't...

He could be a very valuable back-up if he is willing to take that role...

 

[Deep_South]

I think if Jerry brings Greg Ellis back it means that last year's rookies need at least another year to earn playing time.

No need to panic about last year's draft - I hope...

 

[gimmesix]

I think if Jerry brings Greg Ellis back it means that last year's rookies need at least another year to earn playing time.

No need to panic about last year's draft - I hope...

I don't think it has to mean anything like that. All it would mean at this point is that everyone behind Ware and Spencer is unproven.

Camp will determine if they are ready to receive playing time.

 

[RealCowboyfan]

I would be happy to bring Ellis back. He is a solid player and is a good pass-rusher and have alot of leadership.

 

[Woods]

I really don't think every veteran a team signs as a backup has to be a progress stopper (and that gets bandied about too much as a reason not to sign them).

What stops progress is if you are committed to keeping/playing that veteran no matter what. If he's brought in with the idea that he doesn't make the team if the younger players show they can contribute or if there isn't an injury, then he's not stopping progress.

Giving Ellis a contract/promise that forces Dallas to keep him no matter what would be wrong. Signing him for cheap as insurance would not.

What would he be insurance against?

1) Injury.

2) Victor Butler not making the next step from being a limited pass-rushing specialist to a full backup contributor.

3) Brandon Williams not bouncing back from his injury to deserve a roster spot and any kind of playing time.

4) Curtis Johnson showing that the Colts had good reason not to keep him on their 53-man roster.

This past season we were forced to keep Steve Octavien as our fourth outside linebacker not just because of special teams because he was a) the best backup OLB we had coming out of training camp and b) Brandon Williams' injury. Even after we got Curtis Johnson, Octavien hung on because Johnson proved he had too much to learn to be a reliable backup or even beat Octavien out on special teams (where Octavien was good but not great).

If it comes down to such a situation again, I'd much rather see Dallas have Ellis around to fill a backup role over Octavien. Simple as that.

well said.

imo, if anything, ellis would be possibly taking octavien's or c johnson's spot, not bulter's or williams's.

and that's not to say a guy like b williams wouldn't see the field either. both ware and spencer need breaks during games.

i think a lot depends if ellis is really willing to accept coming off the bench and the contract he's looking for.

 

[zrinkill]

Jerry is helping Ellis raise his stock .... and in case we have an injury during training camp he wants to keep the bridge in good condition.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

This is a move you make after a couple of weeks in training camp, not right now, if an injury occurs and/or you feel the Brandon and Victor haven't made the necessary development required to be depended on.

You don't make this move now. We have two young, gifted pass rushers. Ellis might be the third best edge rusher on this team now, but he offers nothing else.

This is the best reply in this whole thread thus far. I agree. No team in the NFL is lining up to sign Gregg Ellis right now. Later on, he can bring great value as an emergency backup 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE. But most teams, including Dallas, will exercise all of their other, younger, options first. If those do not pan out then bringing in Ellis is a brilliant move. For now though in Dallas' case, the backup spot is Brandon's and Victor's to lose. An lose it they will if they do not take strides forward this season and become legitimate and relaible rotation guys in the defensive front.

 

[TheSport78]

This is the best reply in this whole thread thus far. I agree. No team in the NFL is lining up to sign Gregg Ellis right now. Later on, he can bring great value as an emergency backup 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE. But most teams, including Dallas, will exercise all of their other, younger, options first. If those do not pan out then bringing in Ellis is a brilliant move. For now though in Dallas' case, the backup spot is Brandon's and Victor's to lose. An lose it they will if they do not take strides forward this season and become legitimate and relaible rotation guys in the defensive front.

He had 7 sacks in 14 games last season on a horrible defense. Someone will sign him.