Inside Slant: Dallas Cowboys
USAToday Inside Slant:
Posted 5/20/2006 2:05 AM
The Cowboys might be on the same page with Terrell Owens about his absence from the team's offseason program.
But there remains a disconnect with increasingly disgruntled defensive end Greg Ellis.
Ellis, who was not happy about his role last season in the 3-4 defense, has not participated in the off-season program.
The Cowboys still expect him to be a big part of the defense in 2007 and paid him a $500,000 roster bonus to return.
But Ellis remains unhappy. Although he tied for the team lead in sacks with eight, Ellis was benched midway through the season for rookie Chris Canty. He is not pleased with playing a part-time role again in 2007.
"He's a vital part of my expectations for our success," owner Jerry Jones said at the team's annual golf invitational at Cowboys Golf Club. "Greg has stated the pure 3-4 concept doesn't fit him. The facts are we don't play a pure 3-4 concept that fits him. I haven't seen a player of his caliber that got compromised by scheme."
Jones however, allows that Ellis is frustrated and plans to meet with him and his agent Butch Williams before the minicamp in June.
"I'm meeting with him and his agent before the next minicamp," Jones said. "Basically, we'll talk about next year. I do that with a lot of key veterans after the draft and free agency, and we'll sit down and go over the team."
Williams said he and Ellis are looking forward to resolving the situation amicably.
But he declined to say if Ellis would seek a trade or release if he remains unhappy with how the Cowboys plan on using him. Jones said Ellis has not requested a trade. Ellis has a salary cap figure of $3.3 million next season.
If Canty continues to progress and rookie draft pick Jason Hatcher makes an immediate impact, Ellis could be expendable. However, the Cowboys aren't ready to take any chances with Ellis, who is currently their second best pass rusher behind linebacker DeMarcus Ware.
Posted 5/20/2006 2:05 AM
The Cowboys might be on the same page with Terrell Owens about his absence from the team's offseason program.
But there remains a disconnect with increasingly disgruntled defensive end Greg Ellis.
Ellis, who was not happy about his role last season in the 3-4 defense, has not participated in the off-season program.
The Cowboys still expect him to be a big part of the defense in 2007 and paid him a $500,000 roster bonus to return.
But Ellis remains unhappy. Although he tied for the team lead in sacks with eight, Ellis was benched midway through the season for rookie Chris Canty. He is not pleased with playing a part-time role again in 2007.
"He's a vital part of my expectations for our success," owner Jerry Jones said at the team's annual golf invitational at Cowboys Golf Club. "Greg has stated the pure 3-4 concept doesn't fit him. The facts are we don't play a pure 3-4 concept that fits him. I haven't seen a player of his caliber that got compromised by scheme."
Jones however, allows that Ellis is frustrated and plans to meet with him and his agent Butch Williams before the minicamp in June.
"I'm meeting with him and his agent before the next minicamp," Jones said. "Basically, we'll talk about next year. I do that with a lot of key veterans after the draft and free agency, and we'll sit down and go over the team."
Williams said he and Ellis are looking forward to resolving the situation amicably.
But he declined to say if Ellis would seek a trade or release if he remains unhappy with how the Cowboys plan on using him. Jones said Ellis has not requested a trade. Ellis has a salary cap figure of $3.3 million next season.
If Canty continues to progress and rookie draft pick Jason Hatcher makes an immediate impact, Ellis could be expendable. However, the Cowboys aren't ready to take any chances with Ellis, who is currently their second best pass rusher behind linebacker DeMarcus Ware.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:22 PM
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