DMN: Jerry Jones plans to meet with Ellis
By CALVIN WATKINS
The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – Jerry Jones has decided to reach out to disgruntled outside linebacker Greg Ellis.
The Cowboys owner and general manager said Monday he plans to meet with Ellis when training camp starts Wednesday in San Antonio.
It's a different stance for Jones. In June, he said he wouldn't meet with one of his best pass rushers, who wanted a restructured contract.
"I want to be real clear, when I talk about not meeting with him, it was not about [money]," Jones said. "It had nothing to do with that. It had to do with the order of things. I know Greg, and Greg is going to play."
In April, Ellis became upset when the team used a first-round pick to draft defensive end Anthony Spencer, who will move to outside linebacker.
Ellis said he felt the team was trying to replace him with Spencer because he was coming off a torn left Achilles' tendon, so he requested a restructured contract, to be released or a trade.
Coach Wade Phillips said Ellis, if healthy, will be the starter. The coach has said he doesn't like to start rookies.
Jones agreed in the spring to meet with Ellis but then changed his mind, saying he doesn't speak with players trying to renegotiate contracts.
It appears Jones was upset that Ellis voiced his displeasure with the team to the media before coming to him.
Ellis, when informed by themedia that Jones had decided not to meet, said he was disappointed and that he won't come to training camp if he's not 100 percent healthy.
But on Monday, Jones said miscommunication led to the rift. And Ellis' agent, James Williams, said his client will be in camp on time. Ellis is scheduled to undergo a physical before the first practice.
"Somehow the meeting being planned or canceled got twisted around there," Jones said. When Jones and Ellis were going back and forth, Williams visited Valley Ranch and met with Stephen and Jerry Jones to clear the air.
For the last two weeks, Ellis has been working out in North Carolina.
The Cowboys need a player of Ellis' skills because he's respected in the locker room and next to fellow outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, is a pass rushing threat.
Ellis, before he was injured, was second on the team with 4 ½ sacks and was tied for the team lead with three tackles for loss.
"The main thing is I think he's ready to play," Jerry Jones said. "He's healthy which is a plus for the Cowboys. The issue of the contract would be separate of what I'm talking about right here. Those aren't one and the same. I will visit with him and say 'Are you ready to go', those types of things."
The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – Jerry Jones has decided to reach out to disgruntled outside linebacker Greg Ellis.
The Cowboys owner and general manager said Monday he plans to meet with Ellis when training camp starts Wednesday in San Antonio.
It's a different stance for Jones. In June, he said he wouldn't meet with one of his best pass rushers, who wanted a restructured contract.
"I want to be real clear, when I talk about not meeting with him, it was not about [money]," Jones said. "It had nothing to do with that. It had to do with the order of things. I know Greg, and Greg is going to play."
In April, Ellis became upset when the team used a first-round pick to draft defensive end Anthony Spencer, who will move to outside linebacker.
Ellis said he felt the team was trying to replace him with Spencer because he was coming off a torn left Achilles' tendon, so he requested a restructured contract, to be released or a trade.
Coach Wade Phillips said Ellis, if healthy, will be the starter. The coach has said he doesn't like to start rookies.
Jones agreed in the spring to meet with Ellis but then changed his mind, saying he doesn't speak with players trying to renegotiate contracts.
It appears Jones was upset that Ellis voiced his displeasure with the team to the media before coming to him.
Ellis, when informed by themedia that Jones had decided not to meet, said he was disappointed and that he won't come to training camp if he's not 100 percent healthy.
But on Monday, Jones said miscommunication led to the rift. And Ellis' agent, James Williams, said his client will be in camp on time. Ellis is scheduled to undergo a physical before the first practice.
"Somehow the meeting being planned or canceled got twisted around there," Jones said. When Jones and Ellis were going back and forth, Williams visited Valley Ranch and met with Stephen and Jerry Jones to clear the air.
For the last two weeks, Ellis has been working out in North Carolina.
The Cowboys need a player of Ellis' skills because he's respected in the locker room and next to fellow outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, is a pass rushing threat.
Ellis, before he was injured, was second on the team with 4 ½ sacks and was tied for the team lead with three tackles for loss.
"The main thing is I think he's ready to play," Jerry Jones said. "He's healthy which is a plus for the Cowboys. The issue of the contract would be separate of what I'm talking about right here. Those aren't one and the same. I will visit with him and say 'Are you ready to go', those types of things."
posted by The Gryphon at 8:25 PM
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