A Farewell to Old Reliable

In the early part the 2000’s, with the magical mystique of the Cowboys long gone and the likes of Quincy Carter, Chad Hutchinson, Drew Henson, and Drew Bledsoe guiding the Dave Campo- and, eventually, Bill Parcells-led America’s Team, there wasn’t a lot to cheer about between September and December. Fans couldn’t even wish for the ‘Boys to tank to earn a high draft pick since Jerry Jones had traded TWO first round picks for Joey Freaking Galloway (a panic move to replace Michael Irvin, which would be like the Mavs replacing Dirk Nowitzki with Chris Mihm). The running back was Troy Hambrick (now out of the league), the tight end was Tony Curtis (who, you ask? Exactly), the split-end was head-case Antonio Bryant (who was later roasted alive by Parcells), the aforementioned Galloway, and the big-name guys on defense were the safeties, aging Darren Woodson, and Roy Williams, who would later be exposed as a skinny linebacker who couldn’t cover the likes of Cris Collinsworth in the open field.

But we had Greg.

Greg Ellis came to the Cowboys in 1998, one of the players picked before the more-ballyhooed but controversial receiver Randy Moss. Then-North Carolina coach Mack Brown was tight with Jerry Jones, no doubt playing a huge role in Ellis being taken with the 8th overall pick. He made an impact immediately, starting at strong side end (which routinely takes on double teams and a tight end chip) and routinely racking up double-digit sacks. Never anything spectacular; just solid, solid production, year after year.

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When the Cowboys improbably snuck into the playoffs in Bill Parcells’ first season, I was pulling for Greg. He deserved it. His team had overperformed, finally matching the skill level Ellis had been bringing to the team for, at that point, five years. When they lost in their first playoff game, I wasn’t surprised, only eager for the next season to start to see if Ellis would evolve into the dominant end we all thought he could.

In 2005, with the 11th overall pick and Parcells wanting Dallas to switch to a 3-4 defense, DeMarcus Ware was too good, too perfect to pass up—even though he was a carbon copy of Ellis. A few years after that, with Ware budding into a superduperstar and Ellis remaining consistent yet unspectacular, Greg started complaining for a new contract. Rightfully so; he was, at that point, a long-tenured Cowboy who felt contractily threatened by Ware. To make matters worse, Parcells stupidly drafted linebacker Bobby Carpenter the year after he drafted Ware, leaving the Cowboys with 239407238423 linebackers lobbying for playing time. Ellis could see his door closing; a youth movement was on the horizon.

In 2007, the Cowboys drafted end Anthony Spencer, an obvious replacement for Ellis. Despite aquiring yet another promising player ready to take his spot, Ellis won the starting job outright in camp. The Cowboys then went 13-3, with Ellis recording 12.5 sacks DESPITE missing the first four games of the season, constantly mentoring Ware and Spencer, and fighting a contract battle with Jerry Jones.

For reasons no one understands, Ellis entered coach Wade Phillips’ doghouse following that season. Phillips doghouse, as threatening as a blind kitten, translated into Ellis getting about 60% of the snaps, with Spencer being rotated in on 3rd down and other obvious pass-rushing situations. The Cowboys finished the 2009 season a colossal dissapointment at 9-7, missing the playoffs.

I wasn’t surprised when he was released on Tuesday—he was aging; he was making too much money to only be playing half the downs; Spencer was waiting in the wings with a quicker first step; Jerry Jones was tired of fighting with him. But I was sad. Ellis was a holdover from the rough times, one of the few Cowboys players I remember watching being drafted and immediately contributing. He was Old Reliable, always there, always performing, never letting his actions off the field get in the way of his performance on it.

That’s why I hope he goes to a contender. Of course, the Cowboys are absolutely contenders this year, now that Wade Phillips is gone—-oh. Nevermind. Still, the Cowboys posses the highest level of skill of any team in the NFL; or they did, before Tuesday.

Look, DeMarcus Ware is one of the top-ten greatest players the Cowboys have ever had. You’re damn right, I said it. But he never would have gotten there without Ellis. And the Cowboys never would have been comfortable switching to a 3-4 defense if they didn’t have a stallwart at end. Hell, Ellis drew so many double- teams that Ebenezer Ekuban once had a decent season. Don’t forget, they drafted Ellis over Randy Moss, and it’s not like Jerry was worried about adding a controversial receiver.

I don’t really worry about the impact of his departure on the Cowboys; I think they’ll be fine. I just worry that people will take him for granted and forget about him. Don’t.

By: Timothy Glaze
ProFootball-fans.com Dallas Cowboys Correspondent

For more of Randy's work check out FootballDogz.com where he is the Chief Writer!