Patriots Free Agents 2012: Shaun Ellis

by Greg Knopping on Feb 9, 2012 12:06 PM EST in Patriots Player Profiles

Over the next two weeks, we'll be looking at each Patriots free agent and projecting whether or not they will re-sign with the Patriots this offseason;

Shaun Ellis

Age: 34

Position: Defensive End

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

2011 Stats: 14 games played; 10 games started; 14 tackles; 1 sack

Overview: Shaun Ellis is certainly a name that should generate some interesting discussion. There's no doubt that Ellis had a disappointing 2011 campaign with the Patriots, after signing a one year, $4 million deal in August. Ellis' stats weren't impressive, but he seemed to develop more of a role for himself late in the year as the Patriots switched to the 3-4, and also came up big in the playoffs - picking up a sack against the Broncos and making several stops against the run in Super Bowl XLVI. It would be hard to see Ellis back at a high cost, but if he were willing to take a significant pay cut, I could see Ellis coming back real cheap to compete for a job in training camp. He could form a nice rotation at right end with Brandon Deaderick. But again, the price has to be right, and I'm not sure if Ellis will even want to return if the Patriots don't offer a good deal.

Prediction: Is offered a $1 million contract, but chooses to sign elsewhere / retire

Poll

Will the Patriots re-sign defensive end Shaun Ellis?

Yes, to a one year deal

197 votes

Yes, to a multi-year deal

17 votes

No

312 votes

526 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I think the story of Ellis is TOO.

Too little production.
Too high a cost.
Too old for long term.
Too little upside.

He could come back, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he was on the 80 man at camp, but I’d rather have a young buck with upside than what he brings to the table. He’s fine as a placeholder until something better comes along, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s not a Pat next year.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 9, 2012 12:30 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, hard to disagree with anything you said there

I would like to see him get an offseason in the program if he’s willing to sign a minimum one year deal with a very small signing bonus for a chance to compete for a spot in training camp.

by Greg Knopping on Feb 9, 2012 12:35 PM EST up reply actions

I hope he takes 1 Yr $1.75M

thats the best offer he will likely get from BB

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Feb 9, 2012 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

Really for low dollars, what's the harm?

Let’s say we draft a guy and Ellis outplays him in training camp. The guy can get “Foxboro Flu” and basically be red-shirted his rookie year as he develops. Meanwhile we have the wily veteran with the hot hand for a season.

Let’s say we draft a guy and he cleans Ellis’ clock. Ellis can be kicked to the curb and you go with the young stud with upside.

Really, there’s no harm no foul if the money isn’t too high.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 9, 2012 12:51 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly

I don’t even mind the salary being as high as $2 million, because it won’t become guaranteed until after week one. By that point, BB will probably know whether or not Ellis would be worth that money.

by Greg Knopping on Feb 9, 2012 12:56 PM EST up reply actions

A veteran presence

Is a role rated very high by BB and the Patriots’ FO. Vince Wilfork is undoubtedly the glue that holds everything on the defensive side of the ball together, but if Ellis likes it there and would be willing to come back for less, I could see him playing a Crumpler-type reserve/mentor role for the developing youngsters.

Can I Scream?

by Adam Fox on Feb 9, 2012 4:27 PM EST reply actions

This

and I think he’d take a pay-cut. 11 years with the Jets and never makes it to the SB, 1 year with the Pats and hes there. If you’re him, you gotta feel like if you just stay long enough you’ll end up winning it all sooner or later.

Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner

by New Century Silver on Feb 9, 2012 4:41 PM EST up reply actions