Inspired Ellis improving his reps with Bills
Defensive end vows not to waste increased opportunities
Published: August 18, 2009, 12:00 am
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From afar, Chris Ellis spotted a legend. Buffalo was moments from kickoff at the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Didn't matter. Ellis needed to seize this rare opportunity.
As players warmed up on the sideline, the defensive end beelined to the glossy-jacketed Bruce Smith. Ellis congratulated Smith on his induction and Smith told Ellis exactly what he needed to hear.
"He just told me, "This year is your year,'" Ellis recalled. "It encouraged me to go out there and let it fly this year."
So far this summer, Ellis has had countless chances to do just that. With Aaron Maybin holding out and injuries rampaging Buffalo's defensive line, Ellis' job audition has doubled in length in his second NFL season.
Against the Chicago Bears on Saturday night, he played more than any player on defense. He's not complaining. After a lost rookie season, every snap is a second-chance blessing.
"You take all the reps you can get," Ellis said. "I laugh saying that I get exhausted at times taking the No. 2 and No. 3 reps. You just appreciate the opportunity and try to make the best of your reps until [Maybin] handles his situation."
As a rookie, Ellis totaled three tackles and zero sacks. He saw the field on defense in only six games and went on injured reserve with an ankle injury the final four weeks.
He's itching for Round Two. Maybin's contract impasse — while damaging to Buffalo's pass rush as a whole — has at least kick-started Ellis' development. He is recommitted. He's 10 pounds lighter than he was when drafted. And he hits the lights at his St. John Fisher dorm room by 11 p.m.
In short, Ellis knows this opportunity cannot be wasted.
"It's all about reps and using your reps wisely," Ellis said. "Whatever's given to me, I'm trying to take advantage of. Be it a run down, a passing down, special teams, whatever. The more versatile I can be, the more effective I can be."
In Buffalo's 27-20 win over Chicago, Ellis finally saw the expense check for all those miles of reps at camp. At the end of the first half, he single-handedly warped the game's momentum. With a pure speed rush around Bears left tackle Kevin Shaffer — a full-time NFL starter the last five seasons — Ellis tomahawked quarterback Caleb Hanie to the turf.
On the next play, bookend Copeland Bryan knocked the ball out of Hanie's grasp from the other side and Ellis pounced on it. And the Bills' offense tacked on a chip-shot field goal before halftime to tie the game.
Now at 261 pounds, Ellis has improved sharply as a pass rusher through camp, defensive line coach Bob Sanders noted.
"You always want pressure," Sanders said. "It doesn't always need to end up in a sack but when it does it's a game-changing, drive-changing, momentum-changing play."
Sanders popped in tape of his new pupils upon his hiring this offseason. Problem was, Ellis made nothing but cameo appearances.
"He didn't play a whole lot," Sanders said. "So he's a guy that's getting the reps that he needs. These are very, very important reps for him to maximize his talent."
Whispers of Smith's name clung to the Virginia Tech speed rusher when he was drafted by the Bills in the third round last year. Ellis heard the unrealistic linkage.
"I wasn't the No. 1 pick or anything like that," Ellis said. "I'm sure he had a little more pressure than I did. But I definitely heard the comparisons. Those are big shoes to fill. It was a learning process picking up the defense. It was a lot more complicated with a lot more adjustments."
A spiked sense of urgency stalks Ellis this summer. Considering Ryan Denney's contract expires after this season, Buffalo must know if Ellis fits into the long-term defensive rotation or if he's simply another end that'll get fishtailed away from the pocket.
Ellis had no clue Denney was entering the final year of his deal. Then again, he's locked in tunnel vision, savoring each snap. He says the playbook isn't daunting the least bit this summer. Whether it's dropping into coverage, bull rushing, speed rushing or blocking on kicks, Ellis rarely comes off the field.
"I want to be implemented into the game plan and be effective in any situation given to me," Ellis said. "You don't want to labeled just a pass rusher, just playing on third downs. Any situation given to me, I'm trying to be prepared for."
He's miles away from duplicating Smith on the field. But there is one thing Ellis has in common with his fellow Hokie. When Smith griped about the Buffalo weather at his induction speech, Ellis chuckled.
Last year, Ellis was devoured by the weather like a naive tourist. A dingy snow shovel left at his rented house from the previous owner was his only defense. Ellis figured the flimsy shovel would last him all winter. He thought wrong.
"I won't be shoveling my driveway this year," Ellis said. "I'll get one of those little snowplows. I broke my back a few mornings trying to get to work. I caught on quickly, so I definitely will be getting a little snowplow."
As the reps add up, maybe his production changes, too.
"He's worked extremely hard," Sanders said. "The more reps he gets, it just helps him."
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