Greg Ellis made some outrageous claim yesterday about Demarcus Ware hiding from the coaches during the game so that Ellis could get some playing time. The big problem with this story is the fact that Demarcus Ware was on the field nearly every play last season. ESPN won't let a little thing like the facts get in the way of a good story.Demarcus Ware did an interview on Sirius NFL Radio this morning and went out of his way to avoid throwing his friend and former teammate under the bus while at the same time denying the ridiculous claims made by Ellis. It is nice to see that Demarcus Ware is trying to avoid making Ellis look like a fool, but I would have preferred a straight denial on this one so the ESPN's of the world would just shut up.
Greg Ellis was unhappy with his role in the defense ever since the Cowboys made the switch to the 3-4 scheme when Parcells came on board. Thank goodness he kept stupid comments like this one to himself while he was still with the team. I'm certain that ESPN will be running with this story for weeks and will still be mentioning it deep into next season regardless of the indisputable video and statistical evidence that proves how much Demarcus Ware was on the field. I always regarded Greg Ellis as a classy player but he has tarnished his legacy over the last few years with his incessant whining and this last shot just seals the deal in my mind.
Update: I just read that Greg Ellis is also throwing his former teammate, Anthony Spencer, under the bus for the big run at the end of the Ravens game. I am truly saddened that Greg Ellis is losing what little credibility and respect he had with me every time he opens his mouth. And he was considered the leader of the defense last year?
I think this all comes down to the coaches. I'm sure there is some truth to this story, however little it is. Sure Ellis is being a fool and espn are desperate to take a poke at the 'Boys when they can, but isn't this what Jerry wanted? This kind of stuff is what happens when you hire Wade Phillips. It seems like the inmates are running the prison, and it will continue that way until Romo steps up to be the leader he should be. He needs to hold himself and others accountable since Wade and Jerry don't seem to be able to. I really hope that in 10 years from now i'll be able to say I actually watched the Cowboys win a Super Bowl or two, but i'm afraid that all of this talent is going to go to waste. What a shame that would be. Where is Tom Landry when you need him?
ReplyDeleteCheck out the stats on Demarcus Ware last season. It is clear that Ellis is not being truthful. I don't usually site the Dallas Morning News, but these stats put the story to rest.
ReplyDeletehttp://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/07/bradie-james-calls-bull-on-greg-ellis.html
I agree that Wade is soft, but we are stuck with him for now so I have no choice but to hope for the best.
Ware played in over 97% of the 969 defensive plays last year. That means he might have sit out 20 plays the entire season. Factor in he missed the entire fourth quarter against Seattle, and that means he took a play off every other game. Ware will continue to improve this season and someday could break the all-time single season sack record.
ReplyDeleteEllis, on the other hand, was a solid pro for several seasons with the Cowboys. I still wish we would have drafted Randy Moss instead of Ellis that year, but at least Ellis wasn't a team distraction. At least he'll fit in well with the rest of the nucklehead Raider nation. We'll see just how much Ellis has left in his proverbial tank this year.