Patriots Add A Much Deeded Dose Of Swagger While Also Making The Jets Worse

Well it's good to see that Bill Belichick and the Patriots brass read Boston Bias because just like I suggested earlier in the week when they worked him out, they would be wise to sign Shaun Ellis.

Lo and behold, I wake up today to reports that the Patriots signed the former Jets captain and ultra-dependable defensive end to a 1-year deal pending a physical today.

I'll be honest, I love this move. Defensive end is by far New England's biggest weakness-in training camp, Jermaine Cunningham and Eric Moore have been the starters in a 4-3-so this makes that position much less of a liability assuming Ellis is healthy.

The 6-foot-5, 290 pound Ellis was a first-round pick of the Jets in 2000 (12th overall out of Tennessee) and he's a two-time Pro Bowler. He's played in 16 games in seven of his 11 pro seasons, never missing more than three games in a season. He's only missed six in his entire career.

In 170 career games, he has 552 tackles overall, 382 solo tackles + 170 assists, 72.5 sacks (3 most in Jets history), 13 forced fumbles, five fumble returns and one interception.

2003 and 2004 were his best individual seasons with 12.5 and 11.0 sacks respectively (his only double-digit sack totals).

He's 34-years-old and while he's slowed down a bit the past two seasons (53 total tackles, 6.5 sacks in 2009 and 36 total tackles, 4.5 sacks in 2010), he'll bring some great veteran experience after having gone to the last two AFC Championship teams.

Most importantly, this move not only makes the Patriots better but it takes away a key piece from the Jets' admittedly awesome defense. In short, I love this move and if Fat Albert can get motivated and in shape, New England could potentially have one of its best defensive lines ever.

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Shaun Ellis Latest Defensive Lineman To Stop By Gillette Stadium

The names of free agent defensive linemen that have been shuttling through Foxborough this week have been fascinating and I think the one I just read is the best one yet: Shaun Ellis.

A 2000 first-round pick of the New York Jets, Ellis is a former captain for the Patriots' most hated rival that has spent his entire career in the shadow of Fireman Ed and Rex Ryan's fat ass.

From ESPNBoston.com
The 12th overall pick of the Jets (received from the Patriots as compensation for hiring Bill Belichick as head coach) in 2000, Ellis has spent his entire career in New York. While once a 4-3 defensive tackle, he has played the last several years at defensive end in the 3-4 scheme of current Jets head coach Rex Ryan and former head coach Eric Mangini.

Never playing less than 13 games in any season, Ellis has been a steady contributor for the Jets, tallying 72.5 career sacks. Last season, Ellis recorded 4.5 sacks, plus an additional two sacks against the Patriots in their AFC Divisional Playoff match-up.

At 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, Ellis would appear to fit best at 3-4 defensive end with the Patriots. With proven pass-rushing experience, however, it is possible that Ellis could shift outside to end in the 4-3 scheme that the Patriots have shown early in training camp.

It is also possible that Ellis is being looked at as an interior option in the 4-3 scheme, perhaps in a role similar to that of current Patriots defensive tackle Mike Wright.

According to ESPNNewYork.com's Rich Cimini, the Jets have made Ellis a one-year offer to return to New York at the veteran minimum salary of $910,000.

Ellis is clearly long in the tooth so it's doubtful that he has much left in the tank, particularly since he's been so durable up until now. On the other hand, it would add yet another layer to this rivalry that dare I say has become the best in the NFL. The Jets are usually the ones to sign some scrub off the Patriots' scrap heap (Matt Chatham and Kevin O'Connell come to mind from recent memory) but if Bill Belichick and Co. decided to go with Ellis, I wouldn't fault them.

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