Greg Ellis Should Play For The Detroit Lions in 2009

The ongoing saga between the Dallas Cowboys and Greg Ellis is no secret. Now that Jerry Jones has made it public that Ellis will no longer be with the team, it's time to look at where he would fit in.

Much like Larry Foote, Ellis has a younger player that is poised to pick up his mantle. Ellis wants to start and contribute at the level he believes he can. At 33, he still has a few solid years left. His 20.5 sacks over the past two seasons shows just how capable Ellis still is.

Coming to Detroit would allow Ellis to start on either side. Beating out Jared DeVries and second-year player Cliff Avril should be an easy task.

Ellis would be in a position to succeed. Lining up next to Grady Jackson would put Ellis is one on one situations.

He would likely be allowed to pin his ears back and go after the quarterback now that Detroit has a solid linebacking corps. Gunther Cunningham certainly likes the attacking style of defense.

For Detroit, Ellis would be a guy that not only can hold the line and rush the quarterback, but he would be a leader and a versatile player that is capable of stepping back into coverage on blitzes.

In Dallas, Ellis was made to play linebacker in the 3-4 alignment. He was very vocal about his displeasure with the new scheme. He feels he is most effective as a defensive end.

In Detroit, that's exactly where Ellis is needed.

If Greg Ellis wants a place that he can start, play his natural position, and be cheered on by fans starving for a defender with his abilities, than Detroit is the right place for him.

The scenario seems very possible. The trade doors with Dallas have been wide open.

I have heard rumors concerning Kevin Carter, a defensive end out of Tampa Bay, signing with Detroit. Carter could still be a solid option on run downs, but he is not a pass rusher of Ellis' caliber.