Thursday, August 27, 1998

Cowboys hope Ellis improves his pass rush

By MIKE BALDWIN

The Daily Oklahoman

IRVING, Texas - Because he was the eighth player selected, rookie Greg Ellis will be scrutinized more than most of the 241 players taken in this year's draft.

Ellis hasn't made his NFL debut, yet some analysts are quick to point out the Dallas Cowboys' highest draft pick in seven years hasn't recorded a sack in preseason. Coaches say that's an incomplete evaluation.

But getting pressure on the quarterback is one of the Cowboys' biggest concerns, which was one of the reasons they selected the All-American from North Carolina. After all, Ellis established a school-record 32 1/2 sacks at a university that produced Lawrence Taylor.

"The only thing I tell him is we're very pleased with what he's he's doing," said defensive coordinator Dave Campo. "He's going to be an excellent player in this league. I don't talk about sacks or anything other than we like the progress he's made. I feel real good about him in the running game. The passing game takes a little time anyway."

For the first time in preseason, Ellis displayed some pass-rushing skills Saturday in St. Louis. In addition to recording five tackles, he had two quarterback pressures.

"I want to get sacks. That's what it's about, trying to get to the quarterback," Ellis said. "I'd sure hate to go through the whole year without getting one. But it was that way in college, too. Because I didn't get one the first game, I started thinking crazy thoughts, 'I may not get a sack all year.' All you can do is work hard."

Ellis, 6-6, 283, realizes the media and fans often place too much emphasis on sack totals. What many don't realize is Ellis plays strongside end, which isn't as conducive to sacks as the rush end. And Ellis has played solid against the run in preseason against some established players.

His trench war battles have come against former first-round picks Orlando Pace (St. Louis), Walter Jones (Seattle), Pat Harlow (Oakland), Lincoln Kennedy (Oakland) and Pro Bowl tackle Bruce Armstrong (New England). He next will face Jacksonville's highly touted tackles Tony Boselli and Leon Searcy.

"I judge my performances based on the coaches because they've been in the league a long time," Ellis said. "According to them I've made a lot of progress. I've still got a lot more to make, of course."

Ellis has made steady progress in large part because he's going against teammates Larry Allen and Erik Williams, who have a combined six Pro Bowl appearances.

"There are few guys who can come in the league and get a lot of sacks, and they're usually speed merchants," said defensive line coach Jim Bates. "You don't see too many big guys come in their first year and set this league afire. He struggled a little bit in the middle of camp, but all rookies go through that. Last week was his best game. We're very encouraged with his play."

Coaches are telling Ellis he shouldn't put undo pressure on himself because he signed a six-year, $11.5 million deal that included a $5.4 million signing bonus, the largest given to a Cowboys rookie. Ellis, though, can't heed that advise.

"There's pressure on all first-round picks," Ellis said. "I'm one of those guys that says, 'They paid me all that money, I've got to do this, I've got to do that.' Mr. (Jerry) Jones and the organization brought me in to get the job done."

Ideally, Ellis could learn NFL nuances playing behind two veterans. But that's rarely the case in the salary-cap era, although Grant Wistrom, the defensive end taken two slots in front of Ellis, is struggling to start the opener for St. Louis.

Like any rookie, Ellis, 23, has received a crash course in the differences between college and the NFL. By going against former first-round picks and teammates who have a combined six Pro Bowl appearances, Ellis is reminded daily it's a whole different level.

"I can't lie, it's a gigantic difference," Ellis said. "Every week you go against good players. People tell you that, but until you go through it yourself you can't explain it. You've got to get out there and get a feel of what it's like. As long as I continue to work hard, that's really all you can do."

A deeply religious man, Ellis has handled himself well with the media. How much of an impact he has the next few years is yet to be determined. Ellis is confident, although he realizes it's an arduous journey.

"Because I'm an early first-round pick, a lot of people will base my performance on how many sacks I get," Ellis said. "Coaches, of course, want me to get sacks, but they look at everything pressures, playing solid against the run, knocking balls down. As long as they're pleased with my progress, that's what I'm concerned with."

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)