IRVING, Texas - Greg Ellis hasn't seemed comfortable with his future in Dallas for four years, ever since the Cowboys moved him to outside linebacker in their burgeoning 3-4 defensive scheme and drafted three consecutive first-round picks (DeMarcus Ware, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Spencer) at his position.
Maybe he has legitimate cause for concern this time. The Cowboys are grooming two more draft picks (Victor Butler and Brandon Williams) at outside linebacker this year, and now reports have surfaced that the 33-year-old Ellis might be traded or released.
Ellis did not participate in Thursday's voluntary OTA practice and was seen driving away from the Valley Ranch complex this week before the players boarded buses to nearby Standridge Stadium, their temporary workout site in the wake of the May 2 practice facility collapse. He was present for the Tuesday session open to the media.
Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones has not commented on Ellis' future this month, but following the April 25-26 NFL Draft he acknowledged that the additions of Butler and Williams probably validate the veteran linebacker's annual anxiety.
"I know he had that same concern when Spencer came in (in 2007). And that's rightfully so," Jones said. "I think the world of Greg, but one way or the other I don't want him to read about it, I want him to sit down and talk to me about it."
Ellis himself told DallasCowboys.com in March that he expects to be no more than a situational pass-rusher next season and that the third-year veteran Spencer will take over the starting strong-side spot opposite Ware.
Trading Ellis, who turns 34 in August, might be difficult but would create more than $5 million in salary cap space. Cutting him would save his $4.15 million base salary.
If Ellis isn't back, the Cowboys must have confidence that Spencer can shoulder full-time starting duties and that Butler and Williams, two fourth-round picks, can provide adequate depth at a brand new position. Both were 4-3 defensive ends at Oregon State and Texas Tech, respectively.
Ware faced the same transition in 2005, dominating as a 4-3 pass-rusher at Troy and temporarily struggling with the stand-up responsibilities of a 3-4 linebacker. When to rush? When to drop into coverage? How to react quickly to a running play?
Four years later, he's a three-time Pro Bowler poised to earn a mega-contract extension. But he admits the position change didn't come overnight.
"Usually when you're playing defensive end, the only thing you have to know is, 'how do I beat this tackle?' and 'what type of run plays do they have?'" Ware said earlier this week. "But now they have all these different types of offenses. You've got to be able to read the offenses, know where to fit and a lot more guys rely on you because you're sort of the quarterback of the defense now. You've got to tell everybody where to be at, tell them the plays. (Inside linebackers) Bradie James and Keith Brooking do a great job of doing that, and myself too.
"It's different. It's sort of like your book in college is maybe a little folder. But this one's like a big dictionary."
Injuries limited Spencer to 12 games last year, but he received more first- and second-down reps as the season continued and showed dominant flashes as a pass rusher. Like wide receiver Miles Austin or cornerback Mike Jenkins, the Cowboys have confidence in Spencer's ability and would like to see what he can do with additional playing time.
Having directed the 3-4 defense for decades, Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips knows an outside linebacker when he sees one, and he thinks Butler (6-2, 248) and Williams (6-2, 252) have the right combination of size and athleticism. Williams led the Big 12 with 13 sacks last year while Butler's 12 ranked second in the Pac-10.
Butler will return to practice once Oregon State holds its graduation ceremony in June. Once he's back, he's looking forward to learning and competing with Williams for playing time.
Depending on Ellis' future, both rookies might have more opportunity than originally thought.
"When you get two great competitors together you're going to push and push each other to work harder," Butler said. "And I think that's where DeMarcus and his counterpart come in because you've got two good guys out there working every day in practice. That's how you're able to put up 20 sacks because you've got a guy next to you that's going to make you work."
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