Greg Ellis: Playing a dangerous game of poker

By Andy Targovnik  |   Thursday, June 08, 2006  |  Comments( 4 )

Dallas Cowboys
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Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis had better brush up on his poker skills. He just raised with a pair of deuces while Cowboys management has a wild card in the hole. That wild card is a signed contract.

Ellis has blown off three practices this week because he's unhappy with his new role in the Dallas Cowboys defense. Although Ellis will line up at his familiar defensive end position when the Cowboys play nickel defense, Bill Parcells wants him to also play outside linebacker; this being a function of the 3-4 defense that the head coach has implemented.

Ellis has four years remaining on his present deal that he signed in 2003. So why is he staging this mini-holdout?

Ellis is worried that the position change at age 31 might make him unproductive which would not only lead to his release at year's end, but will also keep him from drawing interest from other teams as a free agent.

So what would make him return to the Dallas Cowboys a happy camper? Although, Ellis won't admit it, he wants more money. "It's not about more money. I'm not asking for a penny more of new money," Ellis said.

When players say it's not about money, it's always about money. Ellis's present deal calls for him to make approximately $3 million this year and next; $4 million in 2008, and a whopping $4.75 million in 2009. Ellis said he wants the Cowboys to either guarantee his salaries for the next two years or convert his 2009 base salary into a bonus this year. Oh is that all?

What am I missing here? How is this not about money? If Ellis's present deal remains in place and the Cowboys cut Ellis after this year, his 2007, 2008, and 2009 salaries go bye bye. But if Ellis were to receive those future salaries as either a guarantee or a roster bonus, Dallas would lose the cash.

But where Ellis is really going wrong is his opinion that the position change will be a detriment to his productivity. Look at John Abraham. He's a defensive end who lines up at outside linebacker more often than not. Sure, he is not as fast as Abraham, but Ellis, who had 8 sacks in 2005, might see his sack numbers go up if he's not engaged right at the line. And nothing attracts buyer interest more than defensive players who can go get the quarterback.

The Cowboys have been meeting with Ellis' agent. If somehow, Ellis could cajole a few more bucks out of the Cowboys, fine. If not, he'd be smart to fold his hand and cut his losses before Jerry Jones and Bill Parcells call his bluff and he ends up sitting home playing solitaire.

Get more on the 'Boys at Realfootball365.com
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