Posted: Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 3:49 PM | 24 comments |
 
options
 

The Cowboys' offseason makeover continued today when the team cut linebacker Greg Ellis.

Jerry Jones last week gave Ellis permission to seek a trade and said the veteran would not be back in Dallas.

According to The Dallas Morning News, the move saves the Cowboys $4.5 million in cap space.

Ellis, 34, had 20.5 sacks over the past two seasons. He had 8.5 last year (two against the Eagles) in reduced playing time.

The team also got rid of Terrell Owens and safety Roy Williams this offseason. The look of the '09 Cowboys will be significantly different for sure.

Ellis spent 11 seasons in Dallas after the Cowboys drafted him with the eighth pick in the first round of the 1998 draft.

ESPN.com's Matt Mosley has been saying for some time now that the Eagles would be a good fit for Ellis' services. Here's what he wrote today:

I think he could really help a team that's already knocking on the door. The Giants and Eagles both fit the bill. We'll keep you posted on what happens.

However, I've seen some local media members shoot down the idea that the Eagles would be interested, so we'll just have to wait and see.

***

Meanwhile, as you've probably seen by now, and as reported by both Eagletarian and Birds' Eye View, Sheldon Brown was a no-show at OTAs today.

The move is a bit puzzling. The consensus seemed to be that Brown had said all he needed to say about his contract situation, publicly at least. While he wasn't expected to be all smiles, most believed he'd be a professional and wouldn't cause any distractions.

Brown has been around for seven seasons so it's not as if he's learning a new system. But then again, with no Jim Johnson at OTAs and Brian Dawkins gone, there's no question the defense, and particularly the new guys, would benefit from having him around.

Then there's the factor of playing time. Lito Sheppard suggested a few weeks ago that the Eagles would stick Brown on the end of the bench because of his offseason complaints. Everyone thought he was crazy. But if Ellis Hobbs looks good, and the coaches have Joselio Hanson penciled in as the nickel back (which I've seen some of the beat guys indicate is the case), maybe Lito will be proven right.

Anyway, share your thoughts. What do you make of Sheldon's play here? And should the team pursue Ellis?

By the way, Eagletarian reports that Brian Westbrook is having his sore ankle evaluated. And Birds' Eye View writes that DeSean Jackson's father has passed away.

Posted by Sheil Kapadia @ 3:49 PM  Permalink | 24 comments
24
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:09 PM, 06/02/2009
    I don't see the Birds brining in a 34 yr old linebacker unless it's for the league minimum.
    chasing history
  • Comment removed.
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:33 PM, 06/02/2009
    I want Peppers and not the kind you eat!
    Jazz607
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:35 PM, 06/02/2009
    Isn't there anyone named Quinten available?
    Mabus
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:46 PM, 06/02/2009
    The arrogance of this player to evan ask for a redo of his contract is beyond belief. Sheldon look in a mirror you are not a pro bowl or even a 2nd team CB. You are adequate to say the least and get paid more than an adequate CB. Where do you get off thinking you deserve more.
    Bubba
  • Comment removed.
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:10 PM, 06/02/2009
    I think our present roster LB's are more than capable, and in fact we have a young guy from last year's rookie crop that could start for a lot of teams, and only suited up twice last year.
    TBear
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:35 PM, 06/02/2009
    Ellis would be a DE in our system... but he could also be used (situationally) in coverage. If he's not too expensive, and he's still in good enough shape to actually UPGRADE our DEs, the Eagles might take a look. I think they like what they have with Trent Cole, they're high on Victor Abiamiri, and they like their situational pass rushers in Darren Howard, Juqua Parker, Chris Clemmons, and Bryan Smith. Since the Eagles are always looking one to two (or more) years out, they'd be looking to see who would be the best option(s) over the next couple of years.
    knighn
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:52 PM, 06/02/2009
    I do know Brown is better than Sheppard. He gives you everything he has. Not an all -pro, but a grinder. He seems to be digging himself a hole he won't be able to come out of.
    hawk18
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:54 PM, 06/02/2009
    The Eagles would be looking at Ellis as a DE, his natural position. Perhaps they want to develop their young DE's instead.
    hawk18
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:57 PM, 06/02/2009
    As for Donkey's point on paying Ellis and not Dawkins, the Eagles were going to pay Dawkins....a lot. He found one team to pay a ton. I can't see how the Broncos made that move. The Broncos are locked into a ton of big contracts on veteran guys.
    hawk18
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:57 PM, 06/02/2009
    Ellis would be a good fit....if he went to BYU.
    jearnha


View comments: 1  |  2
About Sheil Kapadia
Sheil Kapadia is in his fourth season writing about the Eagles and the NFL for philly.com. His earliest memories as a sports fan include several trips to Veterans Stadium with his Dad. He's not a beat writer or an Insider, but is here to discuss the NFL 365 days a year. E-mail him at skapadia@philly.com or by clicking here

Follow Sheil on Twitter. And become a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.

Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for even more Birds coverage, including app-exclusive videos and analysis. Download it here.

Latest Eagles Videos