http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/23971/in-body-and-mind-ellis-ready-for-big-year This week marks a one-year anniversary that Kenrick Ellis would like to forget. On June 15, 2012, he started a 45-day jail sentence for assault, stemming from a 2010 incident in college. The nose tackle served his time, and now he's looking forward to a season with nothing but football on his mind. "A year ago at this time, my body was here, but my mind wasn't," Ellis said at the conclusion of last week's minicamp. "You know the situation. I don't want to talk about it. Not having to worry about it, I'm finally starting to be me. I don't have to be all tense and all scared. It's all football and life. I'm happy. Everything is good right now." Ellis went from minicamp last June directly to a jail cell in Hampton, Va. He was released in time for training camp -- it was a split sentence -- but 23 days behind bars took its toll on his conditioning. It's too bad because, despite the distraction of looming jail time, he was impressive last spring, according to Rex Ryan. "I was like, 'Wow, this guy may end up winning our starting job,'" Ryan said. "I was really pleased with him. When he came back in the summer, he wasn't quite to that level and then he got injured early in the season. ... [He] never really hit his stride until late in the year, but now is the time for him to step up. I think he understands that the opportunity is right there in front of him and I believe the young man is going to do a tremendous job for us." Ellis, 25, is expected to replace Sione Po'uha as the starting nose tackle. This is a big leap for Ellis, who played only 233 defensive snaps (22 percent) last season. The former third-round pick didn't contribute much in his first two seasons, admittedly relying too much on his natural talent. "Being a small-school guy -- a small-school, black-college guy -- I was here off my athleticism," said Ellis, who played at Hampton University. Ellis (6-foot-4, 345 pounds) believes he has sharpened his mental approach to the game, learning how to read blocking schemes and understand tendencies. He also has honed his technique, especially hand placement. The jail experience also taught him a life lesson. "Be grateful for your situation, because somebody always has it worse," he said. "If it's dark, there's always day. There's always a way to get out. Keep persevering, keep pushing. This is all I know. This is easy now."
Rex is like the anti-Parcells. He talks everybody up and then expects them to fulfill his expectations. When they miss he stays with them too long because one of the people he oversold on them was himself. Parcells never talks anybody up unless they're headed for the Hall of Fame or have been playing for him for at least long enough to be eligible for the Hall. When a player misses he cuts him without remorse at the earliest opportunity. I have the feeling the happy medium between the two philosophies is where you're best off as a head coach.
Nice to hear I doubt guys understand the mental pain being locked up causes a human being Ellis has potential time to take a step in the right direction
This is year 3. It has to be the year for him or he's going to wind up on the Jets pile of misfit toys. Then he maybe has another shot with somebody else. Then he's out of the NFL. The second shot tends to be a one year and done routine.
Rex, knowledge of offense talent is scary (bad). The team Tanny and him put together on the offensive side of the ball the last two years are some of the scariest ever. I can't see how this guy keeps his job after this year when we win 6 games max because our offense is so bad. Rex, knowledge of the defense is scary (good). The team Tanny and him put together on the defensive side of the ball the last 4 years are some of the scariest ever. I can't see how this guy loses his job after this year when our defense is named in the top 5 again for the 4th consecutive year. I am conflicted on Rex. All in all I think he is one of the best defensive coordinators in the game and one of the best defensive talent scouts. He just says some of the dumbest shit to the media and has probably the worst skill of all the offensive minds in the game. Maybe, MM can save his job by breathing life into our offense, but I think it is still going to take MM a couple of years to pull together this shit squad.
I think your overstating it 1 he was a third round pick 2 he was Raw from jump 3 lockout took away his rookie offseason 4 last year he was locked up Lets not put him on that type of pedestal let him take a step in the right direction this year and next year hope he's the force we expect
He's competing with with Wilkerson, Coples and Richardson for playing time. I suspect that his playing time will directly correlate with how well Coples is or is not handling the transition to the OLB position.
I guess Kenrick didn't read Cimini's "druggie" tweet when he got drafted! I buy this for the most part. Having Idzik to keep Rex in line will help I think. Both methods work for different players. I think some players want to be talked up, and they'll play better as a result. If high expectations are set, players will want to meet those expectations for Rex. And with Parcells, players want to prove to Parcells that they can play and they should play. Some players react better to different types of coaching. As for Kenrick, he's a total wild card. I could see him flaming out this year and disappointing. More likely, I could see him becoming a pretty good nose tackle here. He's still got enough upside where he can be an extremely good player if he reaches his potential. He's got the ability to turn this defensive line from very good to unblockable if he pans out. I also like Damon Harrison from what I've seen of him.
Thought Ellis looked really good last TC. Truthfully he was at his best in a 4-3 2 & 3 techniques..especially rushing the passer. Alittle inconsistent against the run. That seems to be a thing w/ Rex. Same deal w/ Coples last year. If you are inconsistent against the run you aren't gonna get alot of snaps.
This is the part that pisses me off. Cimini has the gall to post a "comeback" article about a guy that he tried to discredit entirely though Twitter last year, moments after the guy was drafted. Me and Cimini in a room with a wooden bat. I'd dig that scenario. Fuck that asshole.
You know it's a Cimini article when it starts out regurgitating legal issues from last year or anything else negative. Ellis was making pretty good progress last year, but he was set back by a few badly timed injuries. I think he'll take a big step forward this year, and this D line will be pure beast mode.
Kenrick Ellis is a small college talent who's going into his third season. Either he proves out or he's likely on his way out the door. One of the downsides of retaining Terry Bradway in the college scouting infrastructure is that he's a significant stakeholder on a number of players who are not panning out at the moment. The fact that he's still in house means that the Jets ability to part with some of their failed picks is going to be lessened over the short term.
First thing I thought of, Cimini's draft day cheap shot. Ah, you traditionalist; nicely opting for the "crack" retort of Hillerich & Bradsby wood against Cimini's Theismann-esque rendered shin .... no pussy aluminum bat "plink!" for you, no sir! :beer: I remember this guy was a terror in the Senior Bowl. Hope Coach Dunbar can get him to drop anchor and not stand up and rely on his speed as much.
All Kendrick needs to do is get a hairline fracture in his forearm, get a BIG white cast in the shape of a Louisville Slugger, and Thomas Brady will NOT play in week #2 due to 'flue like symptoms'. God help Tebow...he'll need it.
I also hate Dick, but you gotta admit he may very well be an evil genius. He completely created the "druggie" story and rode it into the ground. But now that all media outlets rip on the Jets as the norm, he is playing the other angle trying to create the comeback story for the same guy he trashed. He is both the Yin and Yang to Jets fans. With that said, fuck the Dick. I'll supply the bat.
