Jerry not aware of Ellis concerns Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said yesterday while leaving practice that he was not aware of any issues linebacker Greg Ellis may have with the team. He did know not of Ellis being upset with his repititions in practice and concerns for his status. You think Jerry really doesn't know about what plans they might or might not do with Ellis? Jones continued to say the OTAs are voluntary and was not worried his absence. ''He's a veteran player that knows what to do,'' Jones said. - Rick Herrin Posted at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) ''I'm a beast'' Cowboys nose tackle Tank Johnson, while he's not counseling Pacman Jones, is getting geared for what he believes will be a breakout year for him. Johnson says he's bigger, stronger and faster than he has ever been. Tank will also have a full offseason in the Cowboys system and will backup Jay Ratliff. On Wednesday, Tank told us what he has become in the offseason working with Cowboys strength and conditioning coaches... ''I'm a beast, he said. ''I'm a beast right now.'' Quote: And if y'all don't believe him, check out this video: http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119349 - Rick Herrin Posted at 09:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) Bradie says team needs old Roy Cowboys linebacker Bradie James knows safety Roy Williams has been a target of critics like never before. He believes his teammate will come back with a big year this season and needs to become his old self. The one that used to deliever game-changing hits and ignite the defense. ''I feel like he is going to come back and have a good year. 'I don't know if he's ever been critiziced like he has. He can't do anything but overcome it and that's what we need him to do. He needs him to be the Roy Williams we know.'' - Rick Herrin Posted at 08:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) OTA observation deck Here are some things seen from the OTA observation deck: -- Strong safety Roy Williams, now wearing No. 38, was back at practice this week. Appears to look the same physically despite some chatter about him losing weight and he is now a project for new defensive backs coach Dave Campo. -- Good: Receiver Sam Hurd looked impressive, especially making a nice catch in the end zone over rookie CB Mike Jenkins during the 7-on-7 drills. --Good sign: OLB Anthony Spencer making plays. He nearly intercepted a pass near the sidelines but couldn't hang onto the ball during team drills. -- Bad: Rookie tight end Martellus Bennett had a chance to make an impressive catch in traffic but dropped a pass near the sidelines. He also had a false start. Bennett continues to be coached like crazy by tight ends coach John Garrett. --Bad sign: Rookie RB Felix Jones fumbled on an inside run sandwiched by defenders during team drills. Don't see that much. --Bad sign II: OLB Greg Ellis not at practice, unhappy about his practice reps. Maybe they are just saving his aging legs. It is May remember. Then again, it is Ellis remember. --Odd sign: Cowboys coach Wade Phillips throwing passes in a defensive drill. The arm looks a little rusty. --Big sign: NT Tank Johnson declares that he is a beast and read for a huge season. He looks bigger and says he is faster and stronger. - Rick Herrin Posted at 08:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) Defending Greg Ellis The first reaction most people have to news that linebacker Greg Ellis is unhappy again is _ not again. Ellis is seemingly unhappy every off season for one reason or another. But just because its tiring to read, write and hear about doesn't mean Ellis doesn't have a point or two. When the Cowboys switched to the 3-4 from the 4-3, he asked to be traded or cut because he was too small to play end in the 3-4. The Cowboys eventually benched him in favor of Chris Canty. He then asked to be traded or released when the Cowboys moved him from end to linebacker because it was a position he never played before. He felt if he didn't make the transition the Cowboys would rid of him. And then last season he saw the drafting of Anthony Spencer in the first round when he was coming off of Achilles tendon surgery as a sign they were going to phase him out. Ellis said he wanted a new contract, proving the Cowboys were committed to him, or he wanted to be cut or traded. He even threatened to retire. Remember the back drop of all of this was the below market value contract the Cowboys convinced him to sign several years back. He finally got on the field when the Cowboys made some adjustments to his contract. Of course Ellis had the best season of his career, with 12.5 sacks, being named to the Pro Bowl for the first time and receiving the NFL comeback player of the year award. For the record, the Cowboys have the right to do what they want to put the best team on the field. But it's understandable for Ellis to wonder aloud about the team's motives. Here he is coming off a great season and hoping to build on it in 2008 only to find out that the team is trying to take his starting job away. Again just cause you are paranoid, doesn't mean they are not trying to get you. Clarence E. Hill Jr. Posted at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
