According to NFL sources, the New England Patriots have signed former New York Jets DE Shaun Ellis to a one-year contract pending the passing of a physical.
Ellis, a 6’5” 290 lb. lineman, who worked out for New England late last week has spent his entire career with the Jets. A former 1st round pick out of Tennessee in the 2000 NFL Draft he was selected by New York with the pick they received from New England as compensation for the Patriots hiring Bill Belichick as head coach. It now appears that Belichick will be able to coach the player he was once “traded” for.
Ellis is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and has 552 tackles, 72 sacks 13 forced fumbles and 1 INT in his 11-year NFL career.
Ellis is very familiar to the Patriots having hurt them with a big two-sack game in last year’s playoff game in Foxboro that the Jets won to advance to the AFC Championship game.
Ellis is a very versatile performer and can play end in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense. With the Patriots looking more and more as if they will play a 4-3 or a 3-4 hybrid this move bodes well. A potential front four could consist of 3 players with Pro Bowls on the their resumes with Vince Wilfork and Albert Haynesworth in the middle and Ellis and possibly second year player Jermaine Cunningham or Mark Anderson playing the other end.
Since becoming a starter in 2001, Ellis has missed just six games in his career. The Jets were willing to bring Ellis back but head coach Rex Ryan said it would be at a reduction of playing time and the team was only offering the veteran’s minimum of $910,000.
Terms of the Patriots contract have not been disclosed.
Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem
Photo credit: Getty Images
