The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Ellis agrees to role ... sort of
By MAC ENGEL
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
IRVING - A tenuous truce has apparently been reached between the Cowboys and defensive end Greg Ellis.

Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said he had a talk with Ellis recently and that "it wasn't as pleasant as others we've had," Parcells said. "But I think everything is straightened out."

Parcells said Ellis has not been at Valley Ranch the majority of the off-season, but was told Ellis would make every effort to compensate for his absences. Ellis did not speak with reporters Friday.

His agent, James D. Williams, answered "no comment" when asked if Ellis has come to an understanding about his role and situation with the team.

Last season, Ellis was not pleased with the way he was used in the Cowboys' 3-4 defensive scheme, and thought he would be playing elsewhere this year. He was used almost exclusively as a pass rusher.

Early in the off-season, the Cowboys said Ellis would be back and paid him a $500,000 roster bonus.

Parcells said he hopes to expand Ellis' role, and that he believes he is better suited in a 3-4 scheme. He said Ellis is the team's second-best pass rusher, behind DeMarcus Ware.

But when asked if Ellis buys into his theory, Parcells said, "I don't know about that. But that's the way it's going to be."

Late Summers

Cowboys rookie free agent running back Demetrius Summers didn't complete a practice before he annoyed Bill Parcells.

Parcells said Summers arrived late Thursday for his first official day with the team.

"I think he had an idea with me he was on a day-to-day situation," Parcells said.

Petitti is bigger

Rob Petitti was never Rob Petite, but the second-year right tackle looks like a different person.

Petitti, who started all 16 games last season as a rookie right tackle, said he weighs 338 pounds. He appears more fit, as opposed to the softer version last year when he weighed 325.

Henson returns

Quarterback Drew Henson's European vacation ended without the World Bowl championship he wanted, but it included the weekly game experience he sought by playing in NFL Europe.

Regardless, Bill Parcells didn't sound thrilled with Henson's progress.

"I was hoping for a little bit more, to tell you the truth," Parcells said.

Taylor mulls retirement
Saturday, June 03, 2006
BY MIKE GARAFOLO
Star-Ledger Staff
Giants wide receiver Jamaar Taylor, the team's sixth-round pick in the 2004 draft, is apparently contemplating retirement for the second time in as many years. His agent, Ray Savage, told kffl.com last night his client has indeed retired, though a Giants official had no comment. Savage could not be reached for comment.

Taylor, 25, suffered a torn ACL in October 2003 as a senior at Texas A&M and has struggled with various leg injuries ever since. When he underwent surgery on the joint last spring, he said he was considering retirement but returned to play in five regular season games.

GIANT COMEBACK THRILLS JOHNSON

Two years out of football is not forever, but it was long enough for Rob Johnson to consider that his career might be finished. So, Johnson enrolled in a junior college back home in southern California and aced a Spanish class, allowing him to complete a degree in history on his way to gaining a teaching certificate.
Two years is how long Johnson wondered if the ulnar collateral ligament operation to his right elbow - better known as Tommy John surgery - would ever allow him to again fire the ball up to NFL standards.

"That thought crossed my mind that I might not get another shot or my arm might not come back, because it's not a 100 percent success rate," Johnson yesterday told The Post.

The Giants are giving him another shot, signing Johnson last week and hoping he's healthy enough to assume the backup quarterback role behind starter Eli Manning. A 10-year veteran, Johnson, at 33 years old, fits the profile but he won't do the Giants any good if he can't regain the arm strength he lost.