Five reasons Dallas Cowboys veteran Greg Ellis has proved his worth
BY CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
Greg Ellis has led the Cowboys in sacks six times in his, the second-most in club history behind Harvey Martin (seven).
1. Despite being disgruntled at times the past few years, Ellis remains a team leader and an inspirational player because of his tireless work ethic and attention to detail.
2. After suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in his left leg in 2006, Ellis returned in 2007 to have a career season, recording 12.5 sacks, earning his first selection and being named the Comeback Player of the Year.
3. Ellis is content, despite being leery in the off-season about the Cowboys trying to phase him out because of their interest in giving backup Anthony Spencer more playing time. The Cowboys have assured him he remains a big part of their plans. "Antennas go up and say, 'Is this done to really rest me or to replace me?’ "Ellis said. "Wade [Phillips] has let me know, 'Greg, we want you here. The plan is not to just phase you out.’ So that’s what we’re going off of."
4. He might not have been the bona fide superstar like Randy Moss — the player many people think the Cowboys should have taken in the 1998 draft instead of Ellis — but he has been a mainstay in the lineup. Ellis has started 140 of 146 regular-season games he has played, missing just 12 games in 10 years because of injury.
5. Starting his 11th season with the team, Ellis is tied with tackle Flozell Adams as the longest-tenured Cowboys players. Both were drafted in 1998, Ellis in the first round and Adams in the second round. The club record for most seasons of service is 15 shared by Ed Jones (1974-78, 1980-89), Bill Bates (1983-97) and Mark Tuinei (1983-97).
Greg Ellis has led the Cowboys in sacks six times in his, the second-most in club history behind Harvey Martin (seven).
1. Despite being disgruntled at times the past few years, Ellis remains a team leader and an inspirational player because of his tireless work ethic and attention to detail.
2. After suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in his left leg in 2006, Ellis returned in 2007 to have a career season, recording 12.5 sacks, earning his first selection and being named the Comeback Player of the Year.
3. Ellis is content, despite being leery in the off-season about the Cowboys trying to phase him out because of their interest in giving backup Anthony Spencer more playing time. The Cowboys have assured him he remains a big part of their plans. "Antennas go up and say, 'Is this done to really rest me or to replace me?’ "Ellis said. "Wade [Phillips] has let me know, 'Greg, we want you here. The plan is not to just phase you out.’ So that’s what we’re going off of."
4. He might not have been the bona fide superstar like Randy Moss — the player many people think the Cowboys should have taken in the 1998 draft instead of Ellis — but he has been a mainstay in the lineup. Ellis has started 140 of 146 regular-season games he has played, missing just 12 games in 10 years because of injury.
5. Starting his 11th season with the team, Ellis is tied with tackle Flozell Adams as the longest-tenured Cowboys players. Both were drafted in 1998, Ellis in the first round and Adams in the second round. The club record for most seasons of service is 15 shared by Ed Jones (1974-78, 1980-89), Bill Bates (1983-97) and Mark Tuinei (1983-97).
posted by The Gryphon at 7:08 PM
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