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Greg Ellis on Irvin Show
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We didn't think 'Captain of the Offseason Yapping Team' was just going to go away, now did we? lol.
Get ready for 23 minutes of Greggy!!!
theogt's recap
Talk of your conversation with Roy.
It totally went the opposite of the direction I wanted to go. I've always intended to support every Cowboys player.
Have you talked to Roy since this came out -- you said that Roy said he wanted to be traded?
That's definitely what I don't understand. "Trade" never came up. The guys asked me, "Did Roy ask to be traded?" And I said no. So I don't know where that came from. All Roy said was "Greg, I don't know how I'm going to fit into the defense." That's all he said during last training camp. He said he didn't want to be the guy that couldn't hold up his end of the stick. I just encouraged him to keep studying and learning and get ready to have a good season.
Why would Roy say he doesn't know if he can "get" this defense? Or hold up his end?
I can testify for myself. Making the switch from defensive end to linebacker. When you're good at doing something -- and Roy is good at playing safety -- he's been good at safety in the 4-3 defense and in the 3-4 defense that Bill had him playing in, but when you have to do something different, and you're a professional going about your job, it's uncharted waters and you don't want to fail. You don't want to let people down. That's how the whole thing came about with Roy. That's what I think he meant, and I think he still means.
This guy has been a great football player for a long time -- taken a beating in the press. How do the Cowboys players feel? Do they want him to be back in a situation where he's comfortable?
Players want to win as a team. When any teammate faces any kind of adversity, like this situation, everyone wants to run to aid. I think all guys want Roy to be in the best situation to play the best football he can play. He has done that for a year now. And next year, it's just like anything you do -- you're going to know it better, know the details, and be like why didn't I recognize that last year? I expect Roy to have an outstanding year. I think he's going to learn more and be more comfortable with the position. Like with me and playing linebacker, I just had to get my confidence up and going. If they didn't think you could do it, they wouldn't put you out there to do it. I think Roy is the same thing. Obviously he has the ability. Confidence can be shaky for any of us. I think next year -- I'm glad that Jerry went public to say that he wants Roy on this team. That can smooth things out.
Its hard for guys to talk about losing confidence on the football field -- has Roy said that to you -- that his confidence is a little shaky?
Not directly, no. He hasn't come out and say it. He can't. As a competitor you're not going to come out and say those words. But I know, from my situation, my biggest was concern was at my age, I can't afford to have a down year because they want to take a risk by putting me at a new position. The second biggest thing is you don't want to be the guy that can't hold up his end. He wants the team to be able to rely on him, like we have for years. I have no doubt in my mind that Roy is that we can rely on and do rely on. He's still that guy.
Some complaints about him working out early -- do you see that as a problem?
Typically coaches set that up. Roy feels like he needs to work out early. That's no problem. Wade and Jerry would never have a problem with guys that want to come in early or stay late. I just said I was concerned about Roy. I was wondering if what people were saying bothered him. I was wondering if he didn't want to be around other teammates. But as long as he's working out and getting into shape that's great.
When you came back, it seemed like the defense took a new focus -- have you reached out to Adam Jones?
Actually I did. We didn't have a long conversation, but we did converse. He was really excited to hear one of the players reaching out to him out of the blue. We don't have any past history. I just gave him a call letting him know that I'm here and that I want him on this team. And that of course we all want to get that Super Bowl ring.
Roy seems to be popular among teammates.
One more thing for the listeners. Roy is a personal friend of mine, not just a teammate. If anything gets twisted -- he is my friend that I love. I would never intentionally say anything bad about Roy.
Have you talked to him since all this came out?
Yeah, he said the reason he didn't call me after was because he said "Greg, I know you. I know you'd never say anything intentionally to make me look bad. Now words can get twisted, but I never questioned your motive."
How does that make you feel to have a teammate believe in you like that?
It's great. I like to think that all the guys would look at me like that. We should all look at each other like that. Those 52 guys should perceive me as a man and as a teammate. That's how I want them to look at me and feel. If something's going wrong, I want to be that guy to help them. Roy confirmed that people perceive me that way.
We've had a number of current Cowboys -- we hear a lot of people say that Greg Ellis is their friend -- TO said that about Romo too. It seems like there's a great thing going on this team, personally. Now you have Pacman coming in, how do you feel?
It was my concern at first. Not so much as a personality chemistry. But a playing chemistry. We have 2 starting corners, and he's a starting corner. The coaches have done a good job of letting Henry and Newman know that we're not throwing them away. There's enough room for everybody. I think they've done a good job of conveying that. As for the personality side, talking to him let me know that he is ready to come in and work and put all the foolishness behind. The one thing I have to say about Jerry, he has a reputation of giving guys a second chance. We all need a second chance. I have to commend Jerry on that -- on being a good reader of personality. He sees that Pacman is a good guy at his heart. I felt the same way talking to him on the phone.
Sense any problem with Terence or Henry working out?
No, I really haven't. Now, of course, people worry when they bring in people at their position. I was like that when we drafted a couple people for my position. I told them, don't allow it to be a distraction. Pacman may come in and start, but I do know with those 3 guys back there we have a chance to be a better football team. But I told them, keep working hard, watching film. ANd don't worry about where Pacman is going to fit in. Bring your piece fo the puzzle and everything will be fine.
Have moved from DE to LB -- are you a better OLB than DE? Do you enjoy it more? And what's the difference?
I do enjoy it more. The reason is, you have more flexibility. As a DE you're lined up with the hand on the ground. Everyone knows what's happenening next. You're going to run as fast as you can to get to the quarterback. As a linebacker, the OT or RB have to think is he going to drop in coverage, rush the passer, go to the inside. So it creates another threat and helps you out on your passrush game a lot.
[Mess about basketball and his relationship with his mom]
Expectations for this season?
Real high. Really really high. I want all the guys on the team to put -- our job is going to be to stick together. THings that you know didn't happen, don't believe them. Expectations are really high. We have solid people at every position. And at most positions we have solid backups. WIth free agency, that's hard to create a team like that. We have the firepower to do battle with any team.
How significant that it's the last season at Texas Stadium?
Yeah, it has to be. We owe it to Texas Stadium to go out with a bang. I mean that with all my heart. A lot of tradition, great players, HOF players. We owe to them. To play the final season of DC football at Texas Stadium -- to go out firing our guns. I'm honored to close out a great place like Texas Stadium.
-------------------------
We didn't think 'Captain of the Offseason Yapping Team' was just going to go away, now did we? lol.
Get ready for 23 minutes of Greggy!!!
theogt's recap
Talk of your conversation with Roy.
It totally went the opposite of the direction I wanted to go. I've always intended to support every Cowboys player.
Have you talked to Roy since this came out -- you said that Roy said he wanted to be traded?
That's definitely what I don't understand. "Trade" never came up. The guys asked me, "Did Roy ask to be traded?" And I said no. So I don't know where that came from. All Roy said was "Greg, I don't know how I'm going to fit into the defense." That's all he said during last training camp. He said he didn't want to be the guy that couldn't hold up his end of the stick. I just encouraged him to keep studying and learning and get ready to have a good season.
Why would Roy say he doesn't know if he can "get" this defense? Or hold up his end?
I can testify for myself. Making the switch from defensive end to linebacker. When you're good at doing something -- and Roy is good at playing safety -- he's been good at safety in the 4-3 defense and in the 3-4 defense that Bill had him playing in, but when you have to do something different, and you're a professional going about your job, it's uncharted waters and you don't want to fail. You don't want to let people down. That's how the whole thing came about with Roy. That's what I think he meant, and I think he still means.
This guy has been a great football player for a long time -- taken a beating in the press. How do the Cowboys players feel? Do they want him to be back in a situation where he's comfortable?
Players want to win as a team. When any teammate faces any kind of adversity, like this situation, everyone wants to run to aid. I think all guys want Roy to be in the best situation to play the best football he can play. He has done that for a year now. And next year, it's just like anything you do -- you're going to know it better, know the details, and be like why didn't I recognize that last year? I expect Roy to have an outstanding year. I think he's going to learn more and be more comfortable with the position. Like with me and playing linebacker, I just had to get my confidence up and going. If they didn't think you could do it, they wouldn't put you out there to do it. I think Roy is the same thing. Obviously he has the ability. Confidence can be shaky for any of us. I think next year -- I'm glad that Jerry went public to say that he wants Roy on this team. That can smooth things out.
Its hard for guys to talk about losing confidence on the football field -- has Roy said that to you -- that his confidence is a little shaky?
Not directly, no. He hasn't come out and say it. He can't. As a competitor you're not going to come out and say those words. But I know, from my situation, my biggest was concern was at my age, I can't afford to have a down year because they want to take a risk by putting me at a new position. The second biggest thing is you don't want to be the guy that can't hold up his end. He wants the team to be able to rely on him, like we have for years. I have no doubt in my mind that Roy is that we can rely on and do rely on. He's still that guy.
Some complaints about him working out early -- do you see that as a problem?
Typically coaches set that up. Roy feels like he needs to work out early. That's no problem. Wade and Jerry would never have a problem with guys that want to come in early or stay late. I just said I was concerned about Roy. I was wondering if what people were saying bothered him. I was wondering if he didn't want to be around other teammates. But as long as he's working out and getting into shape that's great.
When you came back, it seemed like the defense took a new focus -- have you reached out to Adam Jones?
Actually I did. We didn't have a long conversation, but we did converse. He was really excited to hear one of the players reaching out to him out of the blue. We don't have any past history. I just gave him a call letting him know that I'm here and that I want him on this team. And that of course we all want to get that Super Bowl ring.
Roy seems to be popular among teammates.
One more thing for the listeners. Roy is a personal friend of mine, not just a teammate. If anything gets twisted -- he is my friend that I love. I would never intentionally say anything bad about Roy.
Have you talked to him since all this came out?
Yeah, he said the reason he didn't call me after was because he said "Greg, I know you. I know you'd never say anything intentionally to make me look bad. Now words can get twisted, but I never questioned your motive."
How does that make you feel to have a teammate believe in you like that?
It's great. I like to think that all the guys would look at me like that. We should all look at each other like that. Those 52 guys should perceive me as a man and as a teammate. That's how I want them to look at me and feel. If something's going wrong, I want to be that guy to help them. Roy confirmed that people perceive me that way.
We've had a number of current Cowboys -- we hear a lot of people say that Greg Ellis is their friend -- TO said that about Romo too. It seems like there's a great thing going on this team, personally. Now you have Pacman coming in, how do you feel?
It was my concern at first. Not so much as a personality chemistry. But a playing chemistry. We have 2 starting corners, and he's a starting corner. The coaches have done a good job of letting Henry and Newman know that we're not throwing them away. There's enough room for everybody. I think they've done a good job of conveying that. As for the personality side, talking to him let me know that he is ready to come in and work and put all the foolishness behind. The one thing I have to say about Jerry, he has a reputation of giving guys a second chance. We all need a second chance. I have to commend Jerry on that -- on being a good reader of personality. He sees that Pacman is a good guy at his heart. I felt the same way talking to him on the phone.
Sense any problem with Terence or Henry working out?
No, I really haven't. Now, of course, people worry when they bring in people at their position. I was like that when we drafted a couple people for my position. I told them, don't allow it to be a distraction. Pacman may come in and start, but I do know with those 3 guys back there we have a chance to be a better football team. But I told them, keep working hard, watching film. ANd don't worry about where Pacman is going to fit in. Bring your piece fo the puzzle and everything will be fine.
Have moved from DE to LB -- are you a better OLB than DE? Do you enjoy it more? And what's the difference?
I do enjoy it more. The reason is, you have more flexibility. As a DE you're lined up with the hand on the ground. Everyone knows what's happenening next. You're going to run as fast as you can to get to the quarterback. As a linebacker, the OT or RB have to think is he going to drop in coverage, rush the passer, go to the inside. So it creates another threat and helps you out on your passrush game a lot.
[Mess about basketball and his relationship with his mom]
Expectations for this season?
Real high. Really really high. I want all the guys on the team to put -- our job is going to be to stick together. THings that you know didn't happen, don't believe them. Expectations are really high. We have solid people at every position. And at most positions we have solid backups. WIth free agency, that's hard to create a team like that. We have the firepower to do battle with any team.
How significant that it's the last season at Texas Stadium?
Yeah, it has to be. We owe it to Texas Stadium to go out with a bang. I mean that with all my heart. A lot of tradition, great players, HOF players. We owe to them. To play the final season of DC football at Texas Stadium -- to go out firing our guns. I'm honored to close out a great place like Texas Stadium.
