Inside Out: Shaun Ellis
Height: 6-5
Weight: 285
Age: 31 Born: 6/24/1977
College: Tennessee
Experience: 10th season
2008 Season – In the 3-4, Defensive Ends are there to work in the trenches, collecting tackles when they can on run plays and providing some pressure on offenses (but rarely getting many sacks). In 2008, Ellis led the team with 8.0 sacks (to note, the same number that Patriot Richard Seymour has had in his two best years, ‘03 & ‘08) 60 tackles and two forced fumbles.
Strengths – Shaun Ellis is a versatile lineman and Mangini would use him in a number of ways, from the traditional 3-4 end, inside as a DT in 4 linemen sub packages, and even with his hand up in the Jets 0-7 formation last season. Ellis has good size and strength for the defensive end position in the Jets’ 3-4 scheme. Ellis is the longest tenured defender and has been extremely consistent and durable during his career. He is naturally powerful, and can lock out blockers versus the run. He also maintains good leverage when maintaining his gap responsibilities. Ellis reads blocking schemes well and is able to press back into his opponent effectively to restrict running lanes. Ellis understands how to take on double teams, use proper angles and maintain body position versus the run or pass. Ellis is a good football player who is consistent with his effort and production.
Weaknesses — Ellis can get himself in trouble some on plays where he gets his pad level up. Due to his size, he’s not the most nimble of players, but isn’t exactly sudden in his change of direction in space.
Analysis – Shaun Ellis is a solid contributor and I know that some fans wanted him gone earlier in the offseason … why? He’s a consistent player (yes, maybe he’s starting to overreach his salary) and was the Jets leading pass rusher (tied with Pace) from a normally less than productive pass rushing position. Until the team goes out and gets someone high in the draft who’s younger (which I hope they do next year since they didn’t do it this year) there’s no compelling reason to replace Ellis. I think he’s getting to a point where he needs some more plays off, but he’s an excellent player and deserves to start. The arrival of his linemate Kris Jenkins allowed him more flexibility and production.
Use in the New Scheme – It will be interesting to see how the Jets line up this year (I’m trying to get some game tape on the Ravens) … will they show even more four man fronts than Mangini used? If so, I’d look for Ellis to maybe see more interior work this year, but for the most part to play across from whoever the play’s 46-style “rush end” would be … whether that’s Gholston, Pace Thomas … whoever. With his size, versatility and strength, Ellis may be lineman most able to adapt to the defense in the most flexible manner. Keep a close eye on players like Pace or Thomas and their weight … are they being asked to add pounds? If so, it might be a clear sign that it will cut into Ellis’ on the field time.
Other Inside Out Posts: Kris Jenkins
Filed under: Main Page, Opinion
Very well done
My only problem with him is his shocking lapses in judgement the past year. Veteran players (especially captains) are supposed to help others focus, not lose focus themselves.
Seems surreal that he is the longest tenured Jet. He’s been here since the 2000 draft! Which says alot about his importance to the team
HE HAD HIS BEST SEASON LAST YR I HOPE HE WANTS TO REACH HIGHER, HE WAS MY CHOICE FOR DEFENSIVE PLAYER ON THE TEAM LAST SEASON BUT REVIS SNUB HIM.
Great analysis, the only thought I would debate is Ellis losing time on the field if Pace, Thomas and Ghoulston go hand on the ground as Ends. If that does happen (and I’m quite sure it will) Ellis will be the guy to either shift inside next to Jenkins or rush from the opposite end position. I only see Ellis getting less snaps as a result of saving his legs, not scheme based. Remember he’s played tackle before and just look at what the Giants have done getting extra ends on the field in paasing downs.
Mr.Ellis is one of the least likely players to evaluate this year.
He does his job.I have no complaints.
i have 2 agree with the above post about him and his leadership ablities. It seems him and b thomas should be more vocal. When they lose there heads hang low so they r not leaders. I wanna c a inside out on b thomas the real question mark on this team. I think if he folds this year it is time to go.
As much as his ridiculous DWI annoyed me last year I am willing to cut Ellis a little slack. He has always been a good player and respected locker presence.
He has been a good soilder and in past playoffs has outpreformed his draft mate in John Abraham. If we would have pulled off that Pittsburg upset in the 2004 run we had….a big part was the play of Ellis….. While the dynamic Abraham was sitting on the bench…AGAIN!
He just has to be there this year and makes some plays when they run his way. His stats mean nothing to me. Get some pressure and let the players behind you the game changing plays
Ellis is fine, but who is lining up opposite him? Right now, since they shipped Coleman to the Browns, there is noone. So if Pace, Thomas, or Gholston play alittle DE, how will that cut into Ellis’s playing time? Wouldn’t they just be filling the other DE spot?
Ellis would fit in perfectly if we could get Maurice Clarett, Plax, and Matt Jones. And we’ve all ready got Rhodes. We could get HBO to re-make The Longest Yard, documentary style.
Does anyone know where DeVito stands? Is he simply a rarely used backup or part of a rotation. And while this would appear to be a premature question given that the RR era is just beginning, one of you highly insightful and knowledgeable readers should have a clue.
Bassett, do you or anyone you know understand the nuanced differences between Ellis’ responsibilities in a Mangini D and a Ryan D?
It seems to me that if they are the same, we will see no improvement. If they are different, depending on the difference, things could get better or worse.
My guess is that Ryan and Pettine already know. Does anyone else?
harlan
no dave we have douglass opposite de. He will start and i think he will do well
We did the right thing when we shipped Abraham out and kept Ellis. For all it’s worth, Shaun has been consistant for his 10 years of play. We haven’t had to worry about picking up anyone to replace him- which is huge! A lot of the DEs that could replace him would have to be in the top half of the draft at least. He’s the kind of guy that randomly could have a year of huge sacks. I’m willing to bet he does this year with the new set up- especially if he gets some plays off. He’s been a tough guy and I’m glad to see him get some recognition. I don’t think (and I’m probably wrong) we’ve talked about him here on the blog in ages. That’s a good thing! He’s doing his job! We have no complaints. Keep up the good work, Shaun.
I was so hoping we would have upgraded this position in the draft (Jackson – LSU maybe?)
we are going to have an “attacking” defense this year right? Does that remind you of Ellis? .. a “rush end?”
maybe getting out of that Mangini defense will help ..
The jets absolutely need to keep Shaun Ellis. Without him, my username wouldnt make any sense.
You’d have to change it to “BigJenkFan”.
I Like Ellis; Keep him, i would be enthused to retire him aa a jet. Maybe not a model citizen but a model New York Jet player- does his job, does not hold out, attends wourkouts, defensive captain, puts up consistant #’s despite the scheme and direction the franchise is going in
Harlan – His responsibilities will be similar, but he’ll get reps when they go to a four man front and I could also see them using him in the Suggs role to rush the passer from time to time.
Tish – The Jets are apparently high on Devito. He got a lot more playing time at the end of last year and was not the reason for the Jets woes in those games.
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