Jerry Jones bails out Greg Ellis

There's a story on the Dallas Cowboy Web site here about Greg Ellis, his injury, an insurance policy and Jerry Jones. Some Dallas fans are making a big deal of this article, and they believe it taints Ellis' reputation. I recommend everyone read it and then opine here. But here is my take on the whole ordeal.

Greg Ellis had a pretty serious injury last year. His career could have ended. So, Ellis buys an insurance policy.

The policy he paid for gave him a four-game window to determine if he was fully recovered from surgery to repair the torn Achilles he suffered on Nov. 12 of last year. But once he played that first game, Ellis would have to decide within that four-game span if he could continue playing, and if not he was required to officially retire and collect on the policy.

The writer, well-respected Mickey Spagnola, said Ellis was most concerned about his insurance policy protecting him financially against serious injury and lost wages before he stepped on the field Sunday (and had 1.5 sacks in limited play). Fair enough. And why is this wrong? Yes, football players make a ton of money. But they also risk a lot on the field every Sunday for our entertainment and their love of the game. Most athletes don't have what it takes to make it to the NFL. But if a player is returning from a serious injury, why should a player risk his financial stability for a game?

Ellis said he went into Jones' office out here at The Ranch to finalize their agreement, which by the way made the previous insurance policy null and void. Ellis said Jones promised him dollar for dollar of what his policy would have covered if he had an injury this year. So basically what happened is Jones stuffed $500,000 into his 2007 base salary, jumping him from the $2.5 million to $3 million for this year. He also promised him an additional $1.1 million the insurance policy would have covered if he suffered a career-ending injury at any point this season, to be paid next year. And if Ellis completes all his prescribed workouts during the off-season and training camp over the next two off-seasons, he'll receive an additional $1.5 million in 2009, the final year of his contract.

Jones did the right thing. Ellis is invaluable for the money we are paying him: 6 years, $24 million, with a $4.5 million signing bonus. Ellis was drafted by the Cowboys and has stuck with the team through bad times. Only until the past two years has Dallas show signs of success, and Ellis played a huge role in those wins on defense. Sure, I criticized Ellis when he was whining about a contract extension, and I even called him out to play better. But I won't criticize him for protecting himself when he's underpaid as it is for his position in the NFL. Let's hope Ellis' good play continues and he has a career year this year, because it might just be the Cowboys' year. And that, I am sure, will put a smile on Ellis' face.

San Antonio Express News: Defense Doomed for another bad season

The San Antonio Express News has an article up here that basically says Terence Newman's injury may hobble the Dallas defense enough to ruin its season.

Hey, I'd be the first one to say that Dallas fans should have some concern about the secondary this year. But I'd be the last to say the defense won't do well this year. Of course, the writers ties in the Greg Ellis saga, Isaiah Stanback's injury (this guy doesn't play defense and I wouldn't say he is an intricate part of the team) and the depth problems at cornerback.

Here's a snippet:

But what happens if Glenn goes down? Phillips painted a bleak picture when asked Thursday about the state of the team's corners not named Newman, Glenn or Henry, who opposing offensive coordinators like to pick on so much.
"I like some of the things they are doing certainly, but I don't have a great feeling that we've got four corners or five corners that can really play," Phillips said, making it clear he sees nothing special in Nate Jones, Jacques Reeves, Joey Thomas, Quincy Butler and rookies Alan Ball and Courtney Brown.

The writer, Tom Orsborn, then goes from journalist to columnist with this comment:

But if Ellis doesn't return, Spencer is just so-so and Newman is hobbled, the defense could be in for another disappointing season.

And right there he lost my attention. Thank god the article ended there. Point is, I DO think the defense will be improved this year. By blitzing more and changing the way we use our safeties, I think it will rush quarterbacks and allow for more interceptions and sacks.

Dallas plays Houston tonight in their third preseason game. Tonight we should get a good two-quarter look at starting defense. I'm not about to say Spencer is so-so. I will make that judgment after watching him play in a few season games. But even if he is, I just disagree that will be in for another disappointing season for the defense. We may be in for some disappointment with our secondary.

Greg Ellis may be Done

I returned from a short vacation to find out Greg Ellis may retire. Apparently, his heel injury isn't healing fast enough. He tried to run a few practice rounds last week and felt too much pain. I had a post earlier about Ellis and his whining about a contract extension.

No one in their right mind would give an extension to an injured player. Especially one who got an injury that takes a year to recover from. Secondly, although Ellis has led the team in sacks for six of his 10 years, that doesn't translate into a whole lot of awesome play. We haven't had a major sack artist since Charles Haley. That may all change.

Before his injury, it seemed like Ellis was on his way to one of his best seasons with the Cowboys. He was also playing a new position that he was worried about playing--he asked to be traded.

Despite this, it seems more and more like Anthony Spencer is going to get some serious playing time this year.