Greg Ellis: Bad coaching decisions create distractions for Cowboys
by Tim MacMahon
Believe it or not, Greg Ellis is kind of grumpy about his role. He made that pretty clear during an interview on 105.3 The Fan's Ben and Skin Show this afternoon.
Ellis isn't pleased that Anthony Spencer plays the vast majority of first and second downs now. And Ellis is still perturbed that, when he did play in the base defense last season, he spent a lot of time dropping back in coverage instead of rushing the passer.
Of course, Ellis is far from the only Cowboy who isn't happy with the way the coaches use him. And there's apparently a lot of questioning the coaches in the Valley Ranch locker room.
"Do I think that creates a distraction for guys when they feel like certain players aren't used correctly?" Ellis said. "Yes, I think it does.
"I think it affects our team. I don't have to throw T.O.'s name into it, because he's a man who can speak for himself. But just my own personal experiences from last year, I'd say yes."
Ellis, a perennial pessimist, doesn't see drastic changes coming to Dallas. He pointed out that Wade Phillips would return, so the direction wouldn't change much.
Maybe Ellis isn't a believer in Wade's Get Tough Plan. Or perhaps he hasn't heard about it, since the head coach didn't address the team before the players began their off-season.
Oh, and Ellis doesn't know whether his days with the Cowboys are done. He'd count $6.25 million against the salary cap next season, which he pointed out is a lot for a situational player, so he expects to be released or asked to restructure his contract.
Is he OK with playing the pass-rushing specialist role next season?
"I love playing football. I'll just leave it at that," Ellis said after some hemming and hawing. "I love playing football and want to be in the mix in some real, gametime situations that give me and my team a chance to get the best of Greg Ellis."
Ellis and Phillips obviously don't see eye-to-eye on how to get the best of Greg Ellis.
Believe it or not, Greg Ellis is kind of grumpy about his role. He made that pretty clear during an interview on 105.3 The Fan's Ben and Skin Show this afternoon.
Ellis isn't pleased that Anthony Spencer plays the vast majority of first and second downs now. And Ellis is still perturbed that, when he did play in the base defense last season, he spent a lot of time dropping back in coverage instead of rushing the passer.
Of course, Ellis is far from the only Cowboy who isn't happy with the way the coaches use him. And there's apparently a lot of questioning the coaches in the Valley Ranch locker room.
"Do I think that creates a distraction for guys when they feel like certain players aren't used correctly?" Ellis said. "Yes, I think it does.
"I think it affects our team. I don't have to throw T.O.'s name into it, because he's a man who can speak for himself. But just my own personal experiences from last year, I'd say yes."
Ellis, a perennial pessimist, doesn't see drastic changes coming to Dallas. He pointed out that Wade Phillips would return, so the direction wouldn't change much.
Maybe Ellis isn't a believer in Wade's Get Tough Plan. Or perhaps he hasn't heard about it, since the head coach didn't address the team before the players began their off-season.
Oh, and Ellis doesn't know whether his days with the Cowboys are done. He'd count $6.25 million against the salary cap next season, which he pointed out is a lot for a situational player, so he expects to be released or asked to restructure his contract.
Is he OK with playing the pass-rushing specialist role next season?
"I love playing football. I'll just leave it at that," Ellis said after some hemming and hawing. "I love playing football and want to be in the mix in some real, gametime situations that give me and my team a chance to get the best of Greg Ellis."
Ellis and Phillips obviously don't see eye-to-eye on how to get the best of Greg Ellis.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:43 AM
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