Ellis Meets With Phillips; Says He’s Not Unhappy
Source: http://blog.dallascowboys.com
Cowboys outside linebacker Greg Ellis did his best to clear the air about his recent status with the team, and did so by hitting the airwaves with former teammate Michael Irvin.
Just like the Playmaker did by getting Pacman Jones on the show about two months ago, Irvin got Ellis to call into the “Michael Irvin Show” on ESPN Radio (103.3 FM) in Dallas on Monday.
Ellis hasn’t been talking much to the media since it was reported last week that he was upset about the Cowboys reducing his practice reps, which caused him to sit out last week’s OTA practices at Valley Ranch. However, Ellis did say he has continued to participate in the team’s off-season conditioning program and hasn’t ruled out returning to the OTA practices this week.
Ellis didn’t deny that he was bothered by the notion, but did say he was not “disgruntled” and he made sure head coach Wade Phillips knew that as well. Ellis said he met with Phillips Monday morning and described the meeting as a “pleasant conversation” with his head coach, and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart.
“I just wanted Wade to know, since the media has been speculating, I wanted him to know that I am not unhappy here,” Ellis said. “It’s not a problem. I told him, ‘While you’re trying to do whatever you are trying, just understand that I owe it to myself that I’m in shape and standing out there in practice isn’t going to allow me to do that.’”
And Ellis said Phillips appeared understanding by the situation, although he certainly wants to have one of his veteran leaders at practice.
“Obviously he wants me there,” Ellis said of Phillips. “He told me, ‘You know what you have to do to get ready. I want you here, but I trust you enough that you’re helping yourself get better.’ So I think he understands.”
Ellis said he was told at the first week of OTA practices that the Cowboys were reducing his practice reps to get a better look at Anthony Spencer, a first-round pick last year.
“I know they have to get a look at Anthony . . . he’s a first-round pick. And I understand that,” Ellis said. “But at the same time, I have to make sure I get myself ready. And three or four reps at practice is not going to do that. I have to make sure I’m giving my chance the best season I can, pass-rushing wise, football-wise and of course, conditioning wise.”
Cowboys outside linebacker Greg Ellis did his best to clear the air about his recent status with the team, and did so by hitting the airwaves with former teammate Michael Irvin.
Just like the Playmaker did by getting Pacman Jones on the show about two months ago, Irvin got Ellis to call into the “Michael Irvin Show” on ESPN Radio (103.3 FM) in Dallas on Monday.
Ellis hasn’t been talking much to the media since it was reported last week that he was upset about the Cowboys reducing his practice reps, which caused him to sit out last week’s OTA practices at Valley Ranch. However, Ellis did say he has continued to participate in the team’s off-season conditioning program and hasn’t ruled out returning to the OTA practices this week.
Ellis didn’t deny that he was bothered by the notion, but did say he was not “disgruntled” and he made sure head coach Wade Phillips knew that as well. Ellis said he met with Phillips Monday morning and described the meeting as a “pleasant conversation” with his head coach, and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart.
“I just wanted Wade to know, since the media has been speculating, I wanted him to know that I am not unhappy here,” Ellis said. “It’s not a problem. I told him, ‘While you’re trying to do whatever you are trying, just understand that I owe it to myself that I’m in shape and standing out there in practice isn’t going to allow me to do that.’”
And Ellis said Phillips appeared understanding by the situation, although he certainly wants to have one of his veteran leaders at practice.
“Obviously he wants me there,” Ellis said of Phillips. “He told me, ‘You know what you have to do to get ready. I want you here, but I trust you enough that you’re helping yourself get better.’ So I think he understands.”
Ellis said he was told at the first week of OTA practices that the Cowboys were reducing his practice reps to get a better look at Anthony Spencer, a first-round pick last year.
“I know they have to get a look at Anthony . . . he’s a first-round pick. And I understand that,” Ellis said. “But at the same time, I have to make sure I get myself ready. And three or four reps at practice is not going to do that. I have to make sure I’m giving my chance the best season I can, pass-rushing wise, football-wise and of course, conditioning wise.”
posted by The Gryphon at 7:50 AM
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