DE Ellis a Forgotten Man Among Off Season Imports
by Brian Galliford on Jul 7, 2008 7:00 AM EDT
in Opinion
23 comments
It's always about the "big names" - which, for an organization like the Buffalo Bills, is fine. Big names sell tickets. In this off-season's case, big names very likely will go a long way toward shoring up a shoddy defense. Names like Marcus Stroud, Spencer Johnson, Kawika Mitchell and Leodis McKelvin have Bills fans excited over the potential that this defensive unit has.
Is it possible, however, that one player that's rarely mentioned in the same breath as these "big names" will have as big an impact in 2008?
The Bills are certainly hoping so. Lost amongst the shuffle of the veteran names and the team's top two draft picks (McKelvin and WR James Hardy) is rarely-discussed third round pick DE Chris Ellis. The rookie out of Virginia Tech - who has remained relatively anonymous throughout spring practices - enters his inaugural NFL season very likely to play an important role for this Bills team.
The 2007 season saw the Bills' depth at defensive end tested in severe ways - recurring injuries to Ryan Denney and a suspension to Anthony Hargrove crippled the team's depth at the beginning of the season, and the duo of Eric Powell and Copeland Bryan did little to resolve the issue. Starters Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay (2007: combined 9 sacks) return, and Denney is healthy, but outside of Schobel, this group is rather underwhelming when it comes to creating a consistently good pass rush.
NFLDraftCountdown.com's Scott Wright calls Ellis a "rangy athlete and productive pass rusher". He'll need to be exactly that in Buffalo right out of the gate, as well. Currently listed at 6'4" and 261 pounds, Ellis is a bit raw from a technique standpoint, but he is the fastest, strongest and most fluid athlete out of Buffalo's current defensive end stable - including Schobel, a two-time Pro Bowl selection. Ellis is in an ideal situation in Buffalo; with three veterans ahead of him on the depth chart, he'll have the opportunity to work on refining his technique; he'll very likely still see enough field time, however - especially on passing downs - to make an early impact.
One other encouraging note about Ellis' first two months as a Bill is, in fact, his anonymity. Entering the league with some questions about his character, Ellis has remained out of the public eye (thanks in large part to other issues the team has faced). Keep your fingers crossed for his continued anonymity - this kid might be the secret key to the Bills' defensive success this season; he won't be able to fulfill that promise if he gets in trouble.
Don't forget the big names. They're clearly important. But don't overlook the name "Ellis", either. On a team in desperate need of a situational impact pass rusher with the tools to dominate, Ellis is a perfect fit. If he can perform as a rookie, he may end up being the most important defensive addition of the 2008 off-season.
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“he is the fastest, strongest and most fluid athlete out of Buffalo’s current defensive end stable – including Schobel”
How do you make such a statement…especially “strongest”. I’m thinking that Schoebel and Kelsay are probably stronger than this kid who I really like, but is definitely not as strong as guys nearly ten years his senior, with that much more training
This town needs an enema!
by killascript on Jul 7, 2008 9:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m talking purely from a physical standpoint. Schobel and Kelsay will definitely appear stronger on the field because they’re far better from a technique standpoint. But once Ellis gets those techniques down, I’m saying he’ll be just as strong, if not stronger, at the point of attack than any of the current veterans.
by Brian Galliford on Jul 7, 2008 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But please prove he's stronger
The burden of proof is on you so I’d like to see some data like at least from the combine for reps of 225. As far as Ive read, Kelsay is a beast in the gym and I would say from purely physical standpoint, both Kelsay and Shoebel are stronger than Ellis. Not Denney though.
This town needs an enema!
by killascript on Jul 7, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not aware of a source with combine data as far back as 2001; besides, this was purely objective speculation on my part from the beginning. I believe that Ellis is a top-notch athlete, with superior athleticism, speed and strength to Buffalo’s current defensive ends; you’re more than welcome to disagree with me, which you’ve already done. :)
by Brian Galliford on Jul 7, 2008 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is what he's saying...
Brian, no kidding it was an objective opinion…your posts are obviously editorialized, which is why we come for them – but you can’t make some kind of crazy claim about a guy’s strength with absolutely no factual data at all. I mean, you CAN do that – but you could write for realfootball365, too….and none of us want that.
by Slimmons on Jul 7, 2008 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brian is not off base
Brian is not off base that Ellis is a highly touted physical, athletic DE - that is what most of the draft reviews said about him. He has very good size at 6-4-1/4, 265Ibs and ran a 4.71. He did 22 Reps of 225Ibs - which is solid for a DE. He is not a ‘tweener DE/LB (or DT/DE), so his stats and size are fairly impressive.
for example, NFLCountdown, which is a great site, said this about him before the draft: Has a large frame with room to get bigger…Excellent speed with terrific quickness and a burst to close…A good athlete…Very strong…Stout at the point and does a nice job versus the run…Real active and has an outstanding motor…Is technically sound and plays with good leverage…Productive…Had a superb senior campaign.
Schoebel is 243Ibs, Kelsey 261, Denny is 264
by labill on Jul 7, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just an FYI
Kelsay benched 225 lbs. 23 times at the NFL Combine back in 2003. I guess that he was stronger then, than Ellis is now by 1 rep. I’d imagine Kelsay is probably a bit stronger now too….
~K
by Kurupt on Jul 7, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All are founded points
Basically, I am sure Ellis is an exceptional athlete. There is alot to back up that claim. However, I think at some point after he was drafted an article here or possibly on buffalobills.com talked about what Schoebel wieghed coming into the league and how he has she 20 something pounds to where he is now. Not to mention, ellis is still a boy amongst men in alot of regards. One thing that is good from what labill posted from NFL countdown was that Ellis does have some good skills, and once he is in the NFL program he will get stronger, faster and his technique will improve. I think we can all agree that prospectively, Ellis is a very solid pick up, and I am glad we have him. But in two years we’ll see just what his physicality is and I think it will prove to be even more of an outstanding pick up.
I’d say, 3 sacks and 20 -35 tackles and he has had a very good year, possibly much better than expected. If he struggles, we’ll have the tape to see why, and I’m sure this will be debated further
This town needs an enema!
by killascript on Jul 7, 2008 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
See, here’s some factual data. Thanks, K. I guess I was “wrong” about the strength thing, but I still maintain that Ellis has the best natural, physical strength (and overall athleticism) of any of the Bills’ current defensive ends. He just needs polishing to prove it.
I still don’t get how out of all the crazy things I’ve said on this blog, this is the first to get the title of “crazy”. :)
by Brian Galliford on Jul 7, 2008 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think...
Passions may be getting towards boiling with it closing in on training camp. I know my awareness is higher…and if you weren’t doing such a great job, this type of excellent debate and detail oriented analyzation wouldn’t be happening.
This town needs an enema!
by killascript on Jul 7, 2008 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Taken as a group,
it looks to be a good draft. Will Ellis make us forget Harvey? I certainly hope so, but I seriously doubt it. I hope he is good enough to make us forget we should have drafted a TE in the third round. Fine may have to help out with this (next article?). Even if Ellis is mildly productive, it will be another good draft from the Bills. With that said, if Ellis ends up being the most important defensive addition, then Stroud was a waste of money and draft picks.
by Joe P. on Jul 7, 2008 10:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Somebody better step up
Schobel needs to be better, but he also needs help. It’d be nice if Ellis grew into a pass rushing threat for us. This is still the weakest position on the team outside of Center, IMO. I don’t feel comfortable that our D will get after the QB any better this year or do a better job getting off the field on 3rd downs because of how weak our rush will be.
And who voted for Kelsay, 3 of you?? SHOW YOUR FACES!
~K
by Kurupt on Jul 7, 2008 11:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Getting off the field on 3rd downs
Didn’t the Bills lead the NFL last season in the number of drives allowed with 10+ plays? Something like 35 drives. Can anyone confirm this?
by Fort Worth on Jul 7, 2008 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haven't seen that stat before, but it wouldn't surprise me much.
The Bills were fourth-worst in terms of 3rd down percentage allowed – 45%. The only teams worse were the Dolphins, Lions, and, oddly, the Colts.
Counting up the list of 10+ play drives, there were 35. Here’s how many there were in each game, and how many points were scored on the drives:
Broncos 3 13 Steelers 4 12 Pats 2 10 Jets 1 7 Cowboys 3 13 Ravens 1 0 Jets 1 3 Bengals 3 7 Dolphins 1 7 Pats 4 28 Jags 2 6 Redskins 4 16 Dolphins 2 0 Browns 1 3 Giants 1 0 Eagles 2 10 Total 35 135
What’s a bit surprising is that only half of those drives (17) ended in field goals, and just 12 ended in touchdowns (five from the Patriots, though). You’d expect 10-play drives to be averaging more than 3.8 points/drive, I think.
The longest drive of the year? The Dolphins’ 18-play, 80-yard, 9:45 drive that included four 3rd down and one 4th down conversion.
by Krenn on Jul 7, 2008 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, Krenn!
Allowing long drives and chunks of yards while minimizing points allowed (forcing field goals) is classic bend-but-don’t-break defense.
The defense needs to start beating opponents rather than waiting for opponents to beat themselves.
by Fort Worth on Jul 7, 2008 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Flip Side
The flip side of the bend-but-don’t-break defense has to be a proficient offense if the team is to be successful. Even when the defense didn’t give up points it gave up field position which forced the offense to drive the ball 70 or more yards. I’ve got the stats at home but I think the average drive for Buffalo in the 14 games I looked at covered 25ish yeards. If the team had started at their own 40, on average, the team would have scored a lot more points. Field goals, yes, but points nevertheless. As it was, the offense generally started in the 25ish yard line range, drove the ball to about midfield, punted, pinned the opposing offense deep, and then the defense gave up another long drive. Neither unit did much to help out the other. Let’s hope the additions of Ellis, Stroud, Spencer, Mitchell and McKelvin (not to mention the returns of Poz and Simpson) help the defense do a better job of giving the offense opportunities from their own 40. For the offense’s part, we have to hope that the additions of Hardy and (to a much lesser extent) Fine will be enough to help out the defense and score some points.
by Ron From NM on Jul 7, 2008 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ellis Gets Attention
Very good point, Brian. A 3rd rounder is sort of the critical pick that can make a draft great, because he is on that line between not being 1st tier “sure” bets and not being a “flier.” Prior to the draft, the various draft services had Ellis rated high. His descriptions usually said he was a great pass rusher, fairly quick and with good size—athletically, up there in the 1st tier. He was rated just below the top DEs, I guess because of (here we go again) personal questions. He was the perfect 3rd round pick for the Bills.
by labill on Jul 7, 2008 11:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I voted for McCargo
Yeah, I know, he’s unlikely to get more sacks than Schobel. He should benefit from having Stroud lined up next to him. In theory he’s got a shorter run to the QB than Schobel. It was probably mainly wishful thinking on my part—pressure right up the middle. Didn’t the Giants use exactly that to dethrone Brady?
by Ron From NM on Jul 7, 2008 2:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
In honor of
Kyle Bush’s win at Daytona, I have decide to change my AVATAR. I like to call this one, “Pole Position”!
by Joe P. on Jul 7, 2008 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
yea keep em coming
in fact, its almost becoming ritualistic for me. I can’t wait to enjoy this lovely lady over the next few weeks only to be surprised by hottie number 4 soon enough
McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year
by poz on Jul 8, 2008 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joe P. - again - I applaud you.
Maybe we should ask Brian to have a special section for one picture of the “Bill’s Fan Of The Day.” One new picture; each and every day.
by krytime on Jul 7, 2008 6:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks krytime
Now that is my idea of a fantasy league. If Brian adds some cash prizes, I’m in!
by Joe P. on Jul 7, 2008 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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