Cowboys will miss Glover, Nguyen
Todd Archer: Cowboys will miss Glover, Nguyen
IRVING – Standing at his locker after the Cowboys lost last season's finale to St. Louis, Greg Ellis was convinced he had played his final game for the home team.
He knew he had a $500,000 roster bonus due the first day of the league year. He saw his playing time cut drastically in the final month. And he saw what happened to Dexter Coakley a year earlier.
But when Friday rolled around, Ellis was still a Cowboy. And he was glad to still be Cowboy. He never wanted to leave Dallas. He just thought the Cowboys, specifically coach Bill Parcells, did not want him anymore. Not because he couldn't play, but because he didn't fit the current 3-4 defensive system.
Since the season ended, Jerry Jones has said on many occasions that he does not see a decision that would be made with Ellis leaving. Parcells said Ellis is staying too.
But on Thursday when Ellis found out La'Roi Glover was cut and Dat Nguyen had retired, he was somewhat saddened.
As the Cowboys' player representative, he knows the economics of the game, which is a big reason why Glover was let go. As a veteran of eight seasons, he knows what kind of damage the game can do to the body, which is why Nguyen will no longer wear No. 59 for the Cowboys.
Of Glover, Ellis had this to say: "It's very disappointing, but it's the NFL and we all realize we are going to have to go someday. Owners and coaches make those decisions. It's been an honor to play with La'Roi Glover. He's done a lot of great things for our team and had nothing but a positive influence on me and everybody on the team."
Of Nguyen, Ellis had this to say: "Bill always tell us that you're going to form relationships in the game that last you a lifetime and the money and all that is not what you'll remember. I have to agree with Bill. The relationship I have with Dat is a huge relationship. He's a top flight guy. He's really a high quality guy and it was just a joy playing with him. Such a humble guy. A super human being. I've been with him for seven years and it's been nothing but good times."
It's hard to see that the Cowboys defense could be better in 2006 without Glover, who went to four Pro Bowls in four years with the Cowboys, and Nguyen. But Ellis is right. It's the way of the game.
As much as the Cowboys' defense improved in 2005 in their conversion to the 3-4, they still need help. Losing Glover opens a spot up at defensive tackle. The team likes Thomas Johnson, but remember, this is the same team that liked Daleroy Stewart and Willie Blade a couple of years ago.
The Cowboys knew they were losing Nguyen after he went on injured reserve with knee and neck injuries. They like Ryan Fowler, but he's more of a run support linebacker. They like Scott Shanle, but he's seen as a nickel defender. They need to find another big linebacker to line up next to Bradie James.
The Cowboys will fill those two spots in either free agency or the draft or both, but they will not replace the character of Glover and Nguyen. That will take more time.
IRVING – Standing at his locker after the Cowboys lost last season's finale to St. Louis, Greg Ellis was convinced he had played his final game for the home team.
He knew he had a $500,000 roster bonus due the first day of the league year. He saw his playing time cut drastically in the final month. And he saw what happened to Dexter Coakley a year earlier.
But when Friday rolled around, Ellis was still a Cowboy. And he was glad to still be Cowboy. He never wanted to leave Dallas. He just thought the Cowboys, specifically coach Bill Parcells, did not want him anymore. Not because he couldn't play, but because he didn't fit the current 3-4 defensive system.
Since the season ended, Jerry Jones has said on many occasions that he does not see a decision that would be made with Ellis leaving. Parcells said Ellis is staying too.
But on Thursday when Ellis found out La'Roi Glover was cut and Dat Nguyen had retired, he was somewhat saddened.
As the Cowboys' player representative, he knows the economics of the game, which is a big reason why Glover was let go. As a veteran of eight seasons, he knows what kind of damage the game can do to the body, which is why Nguyen will no longer wear No. 59 for the Cowboys.
Of Glover, Ellis had this to say: "It's very disappointing, but it's the NFL and we all realize we are going to have to go someday. Owners and coaches make those decisions. It's been an honor to play with La'Roi Glover. He's done a lot of great things for our team and had nothing but a positive influence on me and everybody on the team."
Of Nguyen, Ellis had this to say: "Bill always tell us that you're going to form relationships in the game that last you a lifetime and the money and all that is not what you'll remember. I have to agree with Bill. The relationship I have with Dat is a huge relationship. He's a top flight guy. He's really a high quality guy and it was just a joy playing with him. Such a humble guy. A super human being. I've been with him for seven years and it's been nothing but good times."
It's hard to see that the Cowboys defense could be better in 2006 without Glover, who went to four Pro Bowls in four years with the Cowboys, and Nguyen. But Ellis is right. It's the way of the game.
As much as the Cowboys' defense improved in 2005 in their conversion to the 3-4, they still need help. Losing Glover opens a spot up at defensive tackle. The team likes Thomas Johnson, but remember, this is the same team that liked Daleroy Stewart and Willie Blade a couple of years ago.
The Cowboys knew they were losing Nguyen after he went on injured reserve with knee and neck injuries. They like Ryan Fowler, but he's more of a run support linebacker. They like Scott Shanle, but he's seen as a nickel defender. They need to find another big linebacker to line up next to Bradie James.
The Cowboys will fill those two spots in either free agency or the draft or both, but they will not replace the character of Glover and Nguyen. That will take more time.
posted by The Gryphon at 11:33 AM
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