Cowboys are shopping LB Greg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

[Rob0729]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

The Cowboys have tried to trade Ellis unsuccessfully before. Odds are they will have no takers and either cut him or keep him. Since they sent Ellis home, they might have reached the point of no return with him though.

Belichick is probably gambling (a safe gamble) that the Cowboys will find no takers and release him. Then Ellis is looking as at a deal probably slightly higher than what Jason Taylor got in Miami since Taylor took a hometown discount. Ellis at the tail end of his career might be looking for that ring and feel the Pats are the best place to go when he is a free agent and take slightly less than the market value. The Pats could save about $2-2.5 million and a draft pick this way.

I think Ellis is a good fit for the Pats. He has some experience in the Pats' system since Parcells ran a similiar one down in Dallas. Ellis is big and strong and is good vs. the run and pass.

Here is Scout Inc's take on him:

Ellis is 10-year veteran with very good size and adequate speed and quickness. He reacts quickly to the run. He has good size and strength to maintain effective hand use. He has long arms to stack and shed. He will get upright with his pad level, but has good strength and balance to keep his feet. He's a former defensive end who understands leverage. He can play physical and get off blocks with good timing. He is still quick enough to work his feet and re-gain outside leverage. He is also quick enough to contain and force running backs back inside. He has adequate acceleration in space with good effort to pursue from behind. As a pass rusher, the Cowboys will bring him off the edge from a three-point stance where he has good success recording sacks when his hand is on the ground. He has strength in his upper body to re-work his hands inside then react off of the offensive tackle's technique. He's physical with his hands and works to finish. He is also strong with the ability to rip inside-out. He has a variety of pass-rush moves including spins and counters. He does a good job turning speed to power. He will get upright on counter moves, but comes hard inside and has strength into traffic. He has some limitations in coverage due to his lack of burst in space. He will stall changing direction and lack the quickness to break down consistently, when isolated.

He has a grade of 75 which makes him a good starter in their book.

Greg Ellis Stats, News, Photos - Dallas Cowboys - ESPN

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

Why would we replace Vrabel with a guy that is the same age with the same cap hit but doesn't know our system?

If he's cut and willing to play for short money, that's one hting. To trade and absorb his 2009 salary PLUS give up trade compensation? Makes no sense at all.

I agree with this.
It's all about the economics.
I would not trade anything higher than a 5th rd pick for him.
And given the trade would want a performance based contract instead.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

Why would we replace Vrabel with a guy that is the same age with the same cap hit but doesn't know our system?

If he's cut and willing to play for short money, that's one hting. To trade and absorb his 2009 salary PLUS give up trade compensation? Makes no sense at all.

First, Ellis does know the Pats' system. Parcells runs a very similiar system as Belichick. Other than a few modifications, it is the same system. Ellis played for Parcells for three years.

Second, I don't think the Pats or anyone will trade for Ellis. My best guess is that he will be cut. I would gamble that the Pats have a great chance of signing him for short money at that point.

 

[Urgent]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

But for the money, good candidate.
As noted, giving away Mike Vrabel and then paying to get Ellis doesn't make a lot of sense, although Ellis has been a bit more productive than Vrabel.

I have little interest in expensive 34-year old linebackers. Apparently the Patriots are saying they don't either.

August might be a different story.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis & the Pats are not interested.

Considering the Pats cap situation and Ellis having a $4.15 million base salary, I would say that lack of interest is a given.

Though I am sure somebody will say that the Pats saying they are not interested is a smokescreen and the trade will surely take place within a week.

Yeah - I have a tough time believing that they would trade away a 33 year old LB who was going to have a cap hit of $4 million to bring in a 33 LB who is going to have a cap hit of $4 million.

If the Cowboys want to save the cap space they can cut him - and the Patriots might look like a pretty attractive team to Ellis at that point too.

 

[tombonneau]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

The Cowboys have tried to trade Ellis unsuccessfully before. Odds are they will have no takers and either cut him or keep him. Since they sent Ellis home, they might have reached the point of no return with him though.

Belichick is probably gambling (a safe gamble) that the Cowboys will find no takers and release him. Then Ellis is looking as at a deal probably slightly higher than what Jason Taylor got in Miami since Taylor took a hometown discount. Ellis at the tail end of his career might be looking for that ring and feel the Pats are the best place to go when he is a free agent and take slightly less than the market value. The Pats could save about $2-2.5 million and a draft pick this way.

I think Ellis is a good fit for the Pats. He has some experience in the Pats' system since Parcells ran a similiar one down in Dallas. Ellis is big and strong and is good vs. the run and pass.

Here is Scout Inc's take on him:


He has a grade of 75 which makes him a good starter in their book.

Greg Ellis Stats, News, Photos - Dallas Cowboys - ESPN

I agree with everything you say here. Hopefully the Pats express interest if/when he is cut. Because you know Parcells will be on him ...

ETA: Also, Ellis brings great leadership. It has been speculated that he was extremely frustrated with the non-team focus in Dallas in recent years, and was often vocal about this fact.

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

I agree with everything you say here. Hopefully the Pats express interest if/when he is cut. Because you know Parcells will be on him ...

ETA: Also, Ellis brings great leadership. It has been speculated that he was extremely frustrated with the non-team focus in Dallas in recent years, and was often vocal about this fact.

I hope Ellis is not insinuating that dating a washed up talentless act and bringing her to every game a distraction??

OR more recently trying to qualify for the US OPEN and upon successful completion missing OTAs??

 

[MetalBleachers]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

Junior Seau is still available.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

Kirwan expects Miami to make a big push for Ellis once he is released or maybe they do a trade.

 

[slash83]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

Kirwan expects Miami to make a big push for Ellis once he is released or maybe they do a trade.

Ellis Taylor and porter would be an awesome rotation for Miami.

 

[slash83]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

Fantasy Football, Baseball and Basketball - news, projections, rankings, draft guide - Rotoworld.com

ESPN's Matt Mosley says OLB Greg Ellis is more likely to be cut than traded.
Ellis is 34, but it's not easy to find players that have 21 sacks over the last two seasons. He won't have any trouble finding work as a free agent.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

Random factoid: Vrabel and Ellis were born on the same day.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

Why pay a pick and 4M+ a season for a 33 year old linebacker who is going to get cut by his team anyways? I think the Pats just wait out the Cowboys and if they actually have some interest they sign Ellis to a vet minimum contract if he gets cut. I wouldn't trade for Ellis at that salary and neither it seems would the Pats.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

I certainly hope this guy does not end up as a Pat. If he does, it tells me that the Pats are really desperate at OLB. However, in my opinion, Gregg Ellis is unspectacular at best at OLB. I have watched Greg Ellis almost every game as a Cowboy since his transition to OLB because my friend is a heavy Cowboys fan. Take what you will from this but he's a better fit in a 4-3. He is very limited athletically at OLB and he is best suited as a down rusher in a 4-3. It's funny how people think that Peppers couldn't make the transition to OLB but guys like Ellis and Calvin Pace, who aren't even in the same universe athletically as Peppers, have lasted as long as they have playing OLB in a 3-4. Also, Ellis has stated many times he doesn't like playing in a 3-4 and was upset at Parcells for moving him to OLB. I'm pretty sure Ellis will end up with a 4-3 team.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Cowboys are shopping LB Gregg Ellis and the Pats are not interested

I agree with everything you say here. Hopefully the Pats express interest if/when he is cut. Because you know Parcells will be on him ...

ETA: Also, Ellis brings great leadership. It has been speculated that he was extremely frustrated with the non-team focus in Dallas in recent years, and was often vocal about this fact.

I'm not 100% sure that the Dolphins will go after Ellis or if they do that Ellis will want to go to Miami. They have a lot of competition at OLB with Porter, Taylor, Miatt Roth, and Cameron Wake (who they hope to turn into a CFL find although there has never been a defensive player that I know of to come out of the CFL and make it in the NFL). Parcells may decide to stick with what he has. Ellis wanted to be released last year because he wasn't getting enough playing time. So he probably won't want to go to Miami over New England since he would start in NE and probably be a back up in Miami.

 

[WelshPat]

"However, in my opinion, Gregg Ellis is unspectacular at best at OLB."

I would agree as a 3 down LB but one thing he's been able to do is rush the passer. It may be all down to the fact that he's playing across from the best defensive player in the NFL, i dunno.

 

[slash83]

Pats arent interested cause of the 4mil cap hit, once hes released im sure they will take a good look.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Pats arent interested cause of the 4mil cap hit, once hes released im sure they will take a good look.

Why not just go with Crabel who is younger, faster and already on the roster?

 

[slash83]

Why not just go with Crabel who is younger, faster and already on the roster?

I understand what your saying and if BB chose that route then cool, but Ellis is a proven vet who can get to the qb even at his age, how much of his success is based on the fact he played opposite of Ware is another argument. I think its worth a look at the least.

 

[jmt57]

Dallas is apparently about to cut him, so his salary and whatever they were looking for in a trade is no longer an issue.

Dallas Morning News: Cowboys to part ways with linebacker Greg Ellis

The Cowboys have decided to end their relationship with outside linebacker Greg Ellis.

Ellis and owner and general manager Jerry Jones met Tuesday morning. While a definitive time frame has not been set, Jones said Ellis would play elsewhere in 2009.

Ellis was told to stay home from organized team activities last Thursday as the club considered its options.

If Ellis is cut, the move frees up $4.15 million against this year’s salary cap, however, the team remains on the hook for a $1.5 million guarantee that was put in Ellis’ contract in 2007. If Ellis signs with another team, the Cowboys would have to make up the difference if he does not earn $1.5 million from his new employer.