NFL Free Agency Signing: Shaun Ellis to Switch Sides in Pats-Jets Rivalry

The New York Jets—New England Patriots rivalry turned a little barbaric last season, as both sides engaged in some verbal battles. One of the most publicized may have been when New England Patriots’ receiver Wes Welker took some shots at Rex Ryan and his wife for her involvement in a foot fetish "scandal."

Please allow me to use the word scandal as loosely as possible.

Afterward, Welker was heavily criticized for hitting below the belt—I'm assuming his insults would have been taken in a far greater light if they had been blunt and less intelligently aimed.

Let’s face it: Fans and critics thrive off of ignorance. Besides this minor squabble between both organizations, the Jets put the nail in Tom Brady’s coffin by beating the Patriots after being defeated by the franchise embarrassingly.

Going into the meeting, everyone was expecting another 45-3 whooping from the Pats. With the immense build-up fueled by the media, New England was expected to clean New York’s clock, as some old school fans may say.

That day has not come and in the 2011 offseason, the Patriots seem to be making all the additions necessary to ensure a Superbowl trip in 2012. The addition of Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth may be the most controversial, but, now there is another piece that has been labeled with the New England logo.

Former New York Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis has reportedly agreed upon a one-year deal with the Patriots, the Jets' archenemy.

After being drafted by the Jets in the 2000 NFL Draft with the number 12 pick in the first round—New England gave them as compensation when Bill Belichick left New York for New England—and earning two Pro Bowl Selections, Ellis decided to weigh his options; landing him with the Patriots, and Rex Ryan seems less than thrilled.

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"The fact that he chose them ... there's no way I'm going to wish him well," Ryan said Sunday. "There's no chance of that.

"I wish him to be healthy, but I don't want him to play that well. But he knows. I know the way he is too. He's going to be revved up, ready to go, and our guys will be too. So it will be fun going against him."

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Apparently, Shaun Ellis will be doing as much damage to the Patriots as he did with one assisted tackle against them in the Patriots and Jets December 6 meeting. Ryan seemed to have expected the same performance from the meeting prior.

Without using profanity in his public statement, his words towards Ellis seem to echo, “I hate your guts. How could you betray me? I hope we kick you’re a** now that you’re a Patriot.”

Can you really blame him?

Rex Ryan is a bit of an emotional guy. With emotion comes anger when you feel as if you are being betrayed. Whether it is by a friend or apparently by a man who most would consider your employee, your feelings get hurt. At least Ryan’s are.

So what he has a hell of a better chance to win with the Patriots? So what New England has an Adonis in Tom Brady and the Jets are led by a man still trying to find his wings?

After peeling back the scars of emotion, Ryan has to understand one vital circumstance in the NFL: No matter how much a player may tout confidence and loyalty with his present team, if given the ability to play for the Patriots, they would jump on the opportunity without hesitation.

The Patriots are a dynasty and every other team is considered an underdog in their presence. It is not their fault. it is simply common knowledge.

The Jets were only offering Ellis a one-year deal for his minimum, $910,000 (which is nothing to smirk at). That kind of cash for a few months work seems like the life. Obviously, the Patriots reputation, coupled with whatever they were offering him, trumped all of Rex Ryan’s motivational antics.

But, just like defensive tackle Sione Pouha said, “You respect the decision and you just carry on.”

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