I just re-watched the Patriots playoff game, and Shaun Ellis put on a performance like I have never seen from a D lineman in my life. He played nose for probably half the snaps by the way, and he just dominated. The guy had two sacks, and got the initial pressure that led to a third. Made multiple big tackles, and was disruptive all game. This is the type of guy who needs to be a primary focus. He's not going to get the hype from fans or media who only want to talk about the WR's but I'll tell you what, if he doesn't play against the pats, we don't win that game. He's not going to cost a lot, and I think he's got 2 very good years left in this system. The guy is very durable and versitile, and he's one of the leaders of this team. I'd love to see them make the smart move, and bring back Ellis on the cheap to finish out his Career. Much rather see that than over pay Cromartie for $8 Million per year.
If he signs for the veteran minimum, I'd love to have him back. He can still contribute (like your post suggested) and he'd be an excellent mentor to Wilkerson and the new Ellis (Kenrick).
Yeah pretty much this... he's at a stage in his career where he can be a rotational player only. However he'd still be very usefulr to this team... I think he would sign on the cheap since he's played all of his career here but then again who knows, he might feel disrespected by a low offer... who knows... I guess we'll see. How much would vet min be for a guy like him? This would be year #12...
I attributed that performance to him being really motivated. Playing the Pats in their house after being spanked 45-3 probably led to that. I'd like him back at vet minimum but it's not worth keeping him for 4 million a year. Sucks because he's the longest tenured jet but the salary cap is a killer.
Shaun has made his money....but being this close to winning a ring, I think he'll sign for the vet minimum to stay with the Jets. Just my .02
I also think he'll stay. He's a Jet at heart. We're so close. Give us one more year. He deserves to get that ring.
He'll stay for other reasons than "just being a Jet at heart": -at this stage in his career, it doesn't make sense for him to move his family and learn a new playbook -he certainly will have a rotational role and a mentoring role in Rex's defense -the Jets are on the cusp of playing in the SuperBowl, it makes perfect sense for him to stay and retire with the Jets.
I disagree with the rotational player part. He's playing a position that favors strength and scheme more than speed. This will allow him to play at a higher level longer than some edge rushing DE who needs to run around tackles all day. Ellis is still a starting caliber player, and should see the bulk of the snaps. I think one more year of him playing 70% of the snaps is perfect. Bring along the rookies slowly until they TAKE the job from him. Hopefully Wilkerson is good enough to earn that spot sooner than later, but I think we bring Ellis back on a 2 year deal around 2-2.5 million per, and he starts until Wilk proves that he is too good to be on the bench.
It's 2 years in a row Ellis has had to play through some knee problems... and my guess is after 11 years in the trenches he's starting to wear down. Don't get me wrong, he might be able to start every game... but he would contribute much better if alternating snaps with rookie Wilkerson & Pitoitua. S. Ellis - DeVito - Wilkerson - Pitoitua - Dixon - Pouha - K. Ellis - Tevaseau (or Gilbert) our DL is suddendly looking pretty deep...
Isn't it amazing that he has played in more playoff games than any Jet in team history? I'd love to re-sign him, hopefully he comes back but they can't afford to tie up cap space in Shaun at this stage of his career.
We all saw how well Ellis played during the playoffs, but he's not a capable starter anymore. He'd be a nice addition to a rotation with DeVito and Wilkerson though. Signing him to a minimum deal would be ideal though, because having an experienced vet on the line with all of these young guys is important.
I tend to doubt he'll sign for the minimum, but I do think he fits nicely into the $3M cap exception that's been rumored to the part of the new CBA.
No doubt in my mind Shaun will be back for whatever the Jets offer. He's a lifelong Jet, extremely rare these days, a fan favorite, and as I know I keep repeating... Shaun only needs 1.5 sacks to tie the Jets career sack record and 2 to break it. May not seem like a big deal to some but I'm sure the team and Shaun are very well aware of that fact.
I think he will be back for somewhere between what he made last year and the vet minimum, but I highly doubt it will be at or near the vet minimum. He's worth more than that. I know Miami and NE would be willing to pay him more than the vet minimum.
He will probably end up getting a 2 year deal from the Jets where we all know the 2nd year will never happen. He will get more than the veteran minimum for sure though. Definitely a good guy to have back for 1 more year.
Ellis lives near me on Long island. My friend always sees him at work. He has two young kids and lives in a great school district. I agree with the above poster I really doubt he is going to want to move. Especially with the economy, the value of his house has probably gone down tremendously. The only way that I see him leaving is if a team offers him 3-4 mil more a year.
You think if the Jets offer him $700K (close to the veteran minimum) and the Pats offer him $2M that he's going to stay with the Jets? Hometown discounts are: a) Rare in general; b) usually on the order of 20%... Anyways, I think he'll be back under the veteran exception built into the salary cap. It seems basically tailor made for him.
