Bills select: Chris Ellis, DE

[FLABillsFan]

Solid Pick baby

[speedracer216]

tell me about him. i know little.

[bunnerjk]

Before Avril?

[ASchobel4TheSack]

are we gonna draft a FB?

[jigganutts]

good pick! think we will still get another pick in the 3rd rd

[wallsofjeriko13]

There's the Bills pass rusher

[bills53]

watch his video looks great

[Clemfield2622]

are we gonna draft a FB?

we have 7 more picks, relax

[soflabillsfan]

I've wanted this guy for months. Great pick.

[buffalosailor10]

Nailed it!Im so happy.Hopefully my next pick is on too!!!

(my picks were updated after yesterday's picks)

[FLABillsFan]

He's good vs the run, he doesn't quit. He's not a pure pass rusher but he can get after the QB.

[b-lo]

watch his video looks great

Link to video?

[MOVETHECHAINS]

Hopefully he is half the DE #78 was!

[FLABillsFan]

Before Avril?

Avrils like 6'2 258, we might not think he's a DE fit.

[MCNPA]

I don't know much either. Good pick or not?? I don't mind a DE. Was he the best available at this spot?

[craigaharrington]

http://warroom.sportingnews.com/nfl/draft/2008/rankings/de/index.html
solid value pick

[Art]

This should satisfy everyone saying we need to beef up the pass rush. Ellis should be helpful as a situational rusher this year.

[speedracer216]

NFL network is talking about "inconsistent effort" and he'll disappear for 5 plays. sound like he's got all the tools, just needs a little coaching to be consistent. hopefully we can give it to him.

AND HOPEFULLY WE TRADE UP FOR JERMICHAEL FINLEY NOW!!!! or he drops to rd.4.

dang it. i won't know til after church :(

[speedracer216]

hey maybe we're hoping he's the next bruce smith commin out of that school :)

[buffalosailor10]

Great pass rusher.excellent senior season.Character concerns bu this pick made me jump of the couch.I was come on come come on chris eliis then..............Chris ellis......!!!!!

[craigaharrington]

as far as value goes,
Dan Connor was still available
I was hoping for Connor or another WR as there are still some round 1 talent players still there (and I think Hardy is too raw.)

[syr6987]

had some injury problems plus was arrested




Ellis sat out 2007 spring drills after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He had the same surgery in October of his redshirt freshman year ('03). He also suffered a right shoulder sprain in 2006 but played through the injury. In 2006, he was arrested for disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice. Ellis' injury history and problems anchoring against the run make him a fringe first day pick but he's got the frame to add some weight and get stronger

[BillsFan]

Good pickup. I was hoping more for Dre Moore seeing as how many people thought Moore from Maryland was going in the second.

Ellis is a very talented pass rush. All signs are pointing to the guy having all the tools just needs it to come on...

[speedracer216]

CBSsportsline scouting report:

Overview With a few notable exceptions, former Virginia Tech defensive ends haven't exactly taken the NFL by storm.
Since Buffalo selected Bruce Smith in the 1985 draft, until Seattle discovered Darryl Tapp in the second round of the 2006 draft, few Hokies have been successful going from Blacksburg to the NFL. With his breakout 2007 season, Chris Ellis hopes that his name will be alongside Smith and Tapp in the near future.
Ellis is more than just an edge rusher. He has had good success as a leverage player vs. the run and has the quick-twitch moves to give chase in the opposing backfield. With his lateral agility and ability to clear his feet on the move, some scouts are even analyzing him as a potential strong-side linebacker in a 3-4 alignment, thanks to his 4.56 speed.
Ellis was a member of Super Prep's Elite 100 list following his senior season at Bethel High School, where he led the team with 50 tackles, seven for loss, and 10 sacks as a defensive end and outside linebacker. He was named an All-American by both Super Prep and Prep Star as a defensive lineman and received VHSCA All-Eastern Region honorable mention as a defensive end his final season.
Ellis was also selected as a first-team Newport News Daily Press All-Star, adding first-team Peninsula District accolades. He was ranked the 13th-best defensive end in the country and the third-best prospect in Virginia by Super Prep and rated the 21st-best defensive end in the nation by Tom Lemming on ESPN.com. An All-Mid-Atlantic Region choice by Prep Football Report, he recorded 75 tackles and 15 sacks as a junior.
Ellis enrolled at Virginia Tech in 2003, spending the season as a defensive end on the scout team until undergoing surgery on his right shoulder in October to repair a torn labrum. He earned third-team Freshman All-American honors from The Sporting News in 2004, lining up for 13 games as the team's top reserve at defensive end. He would finish his first season with the Hokies by making 33 tackles (15 solo) with three sacks, 7 ½ stops for losses and 14 quarterback pressures. He also recovered two fumbles.
As a sophomore, Ellis started nine of 13 contests at right defensive end. He was in on 41 tackles, including six sacks and 10 ½ stops behind the line of scrimmage, both ranking second on the team. He added 14 pressures with two forced fumbles and batted down five passes.
In 2006, Ellis started 12 games at left defensive end. He was bothered by shoulder problems at the beginning and end of the year that required surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder after the team's bowl game. He was also suspended for the Georgia Tech clash when he was arrested in October for disorderly conduct. He made 38 tackles (18 solo) with 4 ½ sacks, 8 ½ stops for losses and 16 pressures while also coming up with two forced fumbles.
As a senior, his relentless pressure on opposing quarterbacks earned Ellis first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. He posted a career-high 53 tackles (25 solo), along with 8 ½ sacks, nine stops behind the line of scrimmage and 38 pressures. He caused one fumble and recovered another, as he also deflected five passes and intercepted another.
Analysis Positives: Has a developing frame with room to carry at least another 10 pounds of bulk without resulting in a loss of quickness … Has adequate muscle tone, but shows natural strength in his hand punch … In one-on-one situations, he does an efficient job of holding ground at the point of attack on the edge … Can handle fullbacks and tight ends, but will get redirected vs. the linemen and neutralized by double teams … With his sudden burst and ability to generate a pass rush off the edge, he could shift to strong-side linebacker in the pros and has experience at the position prior to college … Quick-twitch player with good athletic ability, playing with active hands and quick feet … Shows agility and balance in traffic, displaying flexibility and the ability to redirect while rushing the passer … Gets worn down during the game due to a lack of ideal bulk, but he is a tough player and shows good passion for the game … Shows goods balance and keeps his feet well when changing direction … Has the sudden speed to chase down ballcarriers on the outside, doing a good job of making plays in short pursuit … Has that incredible closing burst and edge-rushing skills to slip off the outside shoulder of an offensive tackle to pressure the pocket … Light on his feet, showing a very good burst to accelerate off the ball … Not the most instinctive playing off blocks, but has the ability to close quickly when he locates the ball … Shows good arm extension and a solid hand punch to shock a lethargic defender and is quick enough to haul down ballcarriers from behind … Better disrupting the pocket coming off the edge than when shooting the gaps … Able to sit in the crease with leverage (has problems when he gets too tall in his stance and must be conscious of keeping his pads down, as big blockers have good success covering him up) … Gets tied up when reached and struggles to shed, but showed some improvement here in 2007, as he was better extending his arms and using his hands in attempts to get separation … Shows good change-of-direction agility when reacting to blocks … When he plays the game on his feet, he can shed blockers, clear and pursue the ballcarrier, showing a sudden burst to run down the play … Has the quickness and strength to deliver an explosive tackle in the open, which could entice certain teams to look at him as an outside linebacker … Uses good arm extension to keep separation while rushing on the edge, shows the explosive burst off the edge and proper hip turn to flatten to the quarterback … .Plays with better effort on the move and is best when chasing down action from the backside … Will deliver a solid hit if he is not impeded closing on the ball … When he keeps his hands active, blockers struggle in attempts to plant on him … Can really turn it loose coming off the corner and covers ground in a hurry, evident by his 82 quarterback pressures at Virginia Tech … Showed better snap-count anticipation as a senior, when he reduced his penalties from seven in 2006 to two in '07 … Needs to explode behind his hits, but has the arm length to wrap and secure as a tackler.
Negatives: Has adequate muscle tone in his upper body and possesses, smooth straight calves and needs to add muscle … Not the most instinctive player of the field and needs to do a better job of reading blocking schemes … Just an average student and while he does well on the field, he needs several reps to retain … Needs to demonstrate better hand usage playing off blocks in a phone booth and can be absorbed and washed out of the play when he overextends and gets his hands outside the framework … Will run into an offensive lineman and fail to keep his hands active, struggling to shed … Needs to develop a stronger anchor, as he can be pushed off the ball, especially vs. double teams … Must do a better job with his plant-and-drive to redirect and change direction in attempts to close on the ball … Best when on the move, as he has good speed coming off the edge, but he needs to generate better counter moves and slip off blocks rather than try to overpower linemen in attempts to get to the quarterback … Needs to show better consistency with his pad level, as he tends to get too narrow in his base, leaving himself exposed to be pushed back … Lacks the "sand in his pants" to split double teams and bull rush inside … His timed speed is impressive enough for a potential move to a 3-4 strong-side linebacker, but he will need to open his hips better in his pass drops to get proper depth … Stamina is an issue, as he seems to disappear late in games … Also might have a medical red flag and teams will closely evaluate the medical reports on his right shoulder, which has twice been operated on for a torn labrum … Lacks the bulk to take on combo blocks, lacking the lower-body strength to anchor … Has active hands and good weight-room strength, but that power fails to translate to the field in the form of a jolting hand punch when he gets his hands outside his framework … More of an outside charger, as bigger blockers have had good success riding him out when redirecting in-line … Charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing justice in 2006, resulting in a one-game suspension … Has had good success deflecting passes at the line of scrimmage, but his timing is off … More of a one-move pass rusher who gets frustrated when his initial charge fails … Must show better urgency on the field, as he will generally throttle down when the action is away from him rather than pursue on the back side.
Compares To: SIMEON RICE, ex-Tampa Bay, Denver, Indianapolis … Ellis isn't a natural end like the former first-round pick from Illinois. But he has an explosive initial step off the snap and the quickness to take a wide loop and chase down the quarterback. He has the ability to clear his feet and move laterally down the line, good hand punch to control isolated blockers and is a good leverage player vs. the run. Like Rice, Ellis seems more concerned about getting to the quarterback than doing the "little things" to improve his overall game. With his foot speed, he could see action as a linebacker in a 3-4 alignment. He will need time to develop needed muscle mass and bulk to be a down lineman at the next level. Still, there are inconsistencies in his game, most notably a motor that is not always running, along with some poor judgment, both on and off the field. Virginia Tech has failed to produce NFL-quality at defensive end since Bruce Smith in 1985 (Darryl Tapp of Seattle is another on the rise), but with his athletic ability and quickness, Ellis is worth a look early in the draft even if he's not first-round material.
Injury Report 2003: Underwent surgery on his right shoulder to repair a torn labrum in October.
2006: Suffered a right shoulder sprain vs. Northeastern (9/02), but continued to play with the injury … Underwent surgery after the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (12/30) to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and was forced to sit out 2007 spring drills.
Agility Tests Campus: 4.56 in the 40-yard dash … 360-pound bench press … 510-pound squat … 341-pound power clean … 330-pound push jerk … 35 ½-inch vertical jump … 31 ½-inch arm length … 9 7/8-inch hands … 14/22 Wonderlic score.
High School Attended Bethel (Hampton, Va.) High School, playing football for head coach Tracy Parker … Member of Super Prep's Elite 100 list following his senior season … Led the team with 50 tackles, seven for loss, and 10 sacks as a defensive end and outside linebacker his final year … Named an All-American by both Super Prep and Prep Star as a defensive lineman and received VHSCA All-Eastern Region honorable mention as a defensive end in 2002 … Selected as a first-team Newport News Daily Press All-Star, adding first-team Peninsula District accolades … Ranked the 13th-best defensive end in the country and the third-best prospect in Virginia by Super Prep … Rated the 21st-best defensive end in the nation by Tom Lemming on ESPN.com … An All-Mid-Atlantic Region choice by Prep Foot-ball Report, he recorded 75 tackles and 15 sacks as a junior.
Personal Apparel, Housing and Resource Management major … Son of Laurie and Eric Ellis … Born
Christopher James Ellis on 2/11/85 in Hawaii … Resides in Hampton, Virginia.

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/players/draft/431547

[MarshawnLynch#23]

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg197/PTulini/1123tech500x325.jpg

[MCNPA]

Can't go wrong with a DE I suppose. Bills must really like this kid to draft him in the 3rd. Filling needs with every pick. Now move on to other needs... TE, FB, OL, WR, DT?

[CPTBobby2]

Love the pick. Hope he performs like our last VT DE

[Clemfield2622]

Love the pick. Hope he performs like our last VT DE

Corey Moore??? :)

[SmileBit299]

Dan Connor was on the board...

Probable pro bowler vs hopeful starter...

Terrible pick.

[jpschwartz]

Coaches can work on that "inconsistent" concerns.

[MCNPA]

Agility Tests Campus: 4.56 in the 40-yard dash … 360-pound bench press … 510-pound squat … 341-pound power clean … 330-pound push jerk … 35 ½-inch vertical jump … 31 ½-inch arm length … 9 7/8-inch hands … 14/22 Wonderlic score.

Those numbers are very impressive for a big Defensive end. Strength could certainly improve, but speed numbers and vertical are impressive. Shows his athleticism. Speed rusher for sure.

[silver]

He's good vs the run, he doesn't quit. He's not a pure pass rusher but he can get after the QB.

?

He's the exact opposite
He's a pure pass rusher with quick burst but gets pushed back a lot and won't hold the point of attack on runs.

[buffalosailor10]

Any body that is not excited about this pick is crazy!!!

[FLABillsFan]

?

He's the exact opposite
He's a pure pass rusher with quick burst but gets pushed back a lot and won't hold the point of attack on runs.

lol you sir are very wrong and ill informed

[lynchisthefuture]

For all those who wanted Connor, if he is so good, then why did he fall so far?

[MCNPA]

BTW, do they lift weights any more in college? There shouldn't be a pro defensive end that can't bench more than 400 lbs. I benched 360 in HS as did quite a few on the team over 400. D-lineman in a college weight program should be doing more for certain. Maybe it is the work ethic issue.

[mid757]

tell me about him. i know little.

I go to Tech and I couldn't be more pleased. The more you get to see him the more you will like him. He is a pure pass rusher who really makes plays when you need it. I think on third downs he comes in and helps right now. Think Darryl Tapp a few years ago and he has turned out to be a very solid starter for the Seahawks.

[jpschwartz]

WOW, 4.56 sec on 40-yd? Thats amazing for a DE !!!

[FLABillsFan]

Overview

With a few notable exceptions, former Virginia Tech defensive ends haven't exactly taken the NFL by storm.

Since Buffalo selected Bruce Smith in the 1985 draft, until Seattle discovered Darryl Tapp in the second round of the 2006 draft, few Hokies have been successful going from Blacksburg to the NFL. With his breakout 2007 season, Chris Ellis hopes that his name will be alongside Smith and Tapp in the near future.

Ellis is more than just an edge rusher. He has had good success as a leverage player vs. the run and has the quick-twitch moves to give chase in the opposing backfield. With his lateral agility and ability to clear his feet on the move, some scouts are even analyzing him as a potential strong-side linebacker in a 3-4 alignment, thanks to his 4.56 speed.

Ellis was a member of Super Prep's Elite 100 list following his senior season at Bethel High School, where he led the team with 50 tackles, seven for loss, and 10 sacks as a defensive end and outside linebacker. He was named an All-American by both Super Prep and Prep Star as a defensive lineman and received VHSCA All-Eastern Region honorable mention as a defensive end his final season.

Ellis was also selected as a first-team Newport News Daily Press All-Star, adding first-team Peninsula District accolades. He was ranked the 13th-best defensive end in the country and the third-best prospect in Virginia by Super Prep and rated the 21st-best defensive end in the nation by Tom Lemming on ESPN.com. An All-Mid-Atlantic Region choice by Prep Football Report, he recorded 75 tackles and 15 sacks as a junior.

Ellis enrolled at Virginia Tech in 2003, spending the season as a defensive end on the scout team until undergoing surgery on his right shoulder in October to repair a torn labrum. He earned third-team Freshman All-American honors from The Sporting News in 2004, lining up for 13 games as the team's top reserve at defensive end. He would finish his first season with the Hokies by making 33 tackles (15 solo) with three sacks, 7 1/2 stops for losses and 14 quarterback pressures. He also recovered two fumbles.

As a sophomore, Ellis started nine of 13 contests at right defensive end. He was in on 41 tackles, including six sacks and 10 1/2 stops behind the line of scrimmage, both ranking second on the team. He added 14 pressures with two forced fumbles and batted down five passes.

In 2006, Ellis started 12 games at left defensive end. He was bothered by shoulder problems at the beginning and end of the year that required surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder after the team's bowl game. He was also suspended for the Georgia Tech clash when he was arrested in October for disorderly conduct. He made 38 tackles (18 solo) with 4 1/2 sacks, 8 1/2 stops for losses and 16 pressures while also coming up with two forced fumbles.

As a senior, his relentless pressure on opposing quarterbacks earned Ellis first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. He posted a career-high 53 tackles (25 solo), along with 8 1/2 sacks, nine stops behind the line of scrimmage and 38 pressures. He caused one fumble and recovered another, as he also deflected five passes and intercepted another.

Career Notes

Ellis started 35 of 52 games in which he played at Virginia Tech. He closed out his career with 165 tackles (73 solo) and 82 quarterback pressures with 22 sacks for minus-131 total yards and 35 1/2 stops for losses totaling 171 yards. He caused and recovered five fumbles, deflected 12 passes and intercepted two passes for 34 yards in returns and two touchdowns...His 82 pressures led all players on Tech's active squad in 2007.

High School

Attended Bethel (Hampton, Va.) High School, playing football for head coach Tracy Parker...Member of Super Prep's Elite 100 list following his senior season...Led the team with 50 tackles, seven for loss, and 10 sacks as a defensive end and outside linebacker his final year...Named an All-American by both Super Prep and Prep Star as a defensive lineman and received VHSCA All-Eastern Region honorable mention as a defensive end in 2002...Selected as a first-team Newport News Daily Press All-Star, adding first-team Peninsula District accolades...Ranked the 13th-best defensive end in the country and the third-best prospect in Virginia by Super Prep...Rated the 21st-best defensive end in the nation by Tom Lemming on ESPN.com...An All-Mid-Atlantic Region choice by Prep Foot-ball Report, he recorded 75 tackles and 15 sacks as a junior.

[billsorangutan]

Basically, we needed a DE to fill out the rotation. You can make an argument for Avril, for Jeremy Thompson, but he would be in the argument too. I like it well enough. Interesting that he has a history of character issues. Sort of a hothead. I guess we needed to replace Hargrove in more ways than one, eh?

[Traveling_Bills_Fan]

Is he going to play linebacker cause he is to small weight wise to be a DE in the NFL. I like this pick cause if they use him properly he can get to the QB.

[JPsLostMan]

For all those who wanted Connor, if he is so good, then why did he fall so far?


For the same reason that Tom Brady fell to the 6th rd. and guys like Jason Peters and Antonio Gates went undrafted...

[normaliswear]

Dan Connor was on the board...

Probable pro bowler vs hopeful starter...

Terrible pick.

I like Conner, he'll be a solid pro. But we already have a better ILB from Penn State we aren't dumping for Conner. And only Conner's mom would consider him a probable pro bowler. Was a solid pick in an area we actually need.

[FLABillsFan]

as far as value goes,
Dan Connor was still available
I was hoping for Connor or another WR as there are still some round 1 talent players still there (and I think Hardy is too raw.)

as far as value goes if we didnt pick Connor, which we didn't, you can infer we had Ellis higher on our board.

[normaliswear]

Is he going to play linebacker cause he is to small weight wise to be a DE in the NFL. I like this pick cause if they use him properly he can get to the QB.

They say he can add at least 10 Lbs of muscle to his frame without losing anything. Should be a decent sized DE when he fills out.

[billsorangutan]

Is he going to play linebacker cause he is to small weight wise to be a DE in the NFL. I like this pick cause if they use him properly he can get to the QB.

He's not been a big weight room guy from what I read, so if they push him into the weight room, he can improve. But he's 260 lbs. Schobel's listed at 243 lbs. He can play DE in our scheme right now.

[old school]

another team leader...

[Traveling_Bills_Fan]

He's not been a big weight room guy from what I read, so if they push him into the weight room, he can improve. But he's 260 lbs. Schobel's listed at 243 lbs. He can play DE in our scheme right now.

The Bills website when you click on his picture and it gives you stats it lists him as only 220 pounds. Maybe that is a mistake but if it isn't and he adds 10 pounds that still is only 230. Way to small for DE.

[Happy Lee]

The Bills website when you click on his picture and it gives you stats it lists him as only 220 pounds. Maybe that is a mistake but if it isn't and he adds 10 pounds that still is only 230. Way to small for DE.

That's a mistake.

[dlovelo1]

For the same reason that Tom Brady fell to the 6th rd. and guys like Jason Peters and Antonio Gates went undrafted...

those guys didn't "fall" though.

[cheekemon]

This is only a comparison of the size of a player that we are all familiar with. I am not impying that he will be anything like him, though it would be nice...:biggrin:

Bruce Smith
Height: 6-4 Weight: 265 - Virginia Tech

Chris Ellis
Height: 6-4 Weight 263 - Virginia Tech

buffalobills.com has info pertaining to Ellis's size here as well :http://buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=6024 (http://buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=6024)

[Feeling On Youboty]

Solid pick. Would've loved to have Jason Jones but the Titans took him with their 2nd.

He's solid depth and will push Ryan Denney for the #3rd DE spot. We really didn't have a lot of depth at this position and Ellis is good value.

[SmileBit299]

I like Conner, he'll be a solid pro. But we already have a better ILB from Penn State we aren't dumping for Conner. And only Conner's mom would consider him a probable pro bowler. Was a solid pick in an area we actually need.

Do people actually belive this stuff?

Ask any Penn State fan or college analyst. I have heard so many times people saying the "true" stud linebacker coming out of Penn State isnt Paul Puzluzney its Dan Connor. Ive heard statements like that coming from so many TV announcers and analysts its not even funny.

Does anyone remember Dan Connors stock during his last game of the season? Many argued he was the best linebacker in the ENTIRE draft. He was a sure fire 1st rounder. Then a few months of non football goes by and his draft plummets.

Always measure a player by how he plays. The Bills need to do this next year because they didnt do it this year.

[SmileBit299]

Solid pick. Would've loved to have Jason Jones but the Titans took him with their 2nd.

He's solid depth and will push Ryan Denney for the #3rd DE spot. We really didn't have a lot of depth at this position and Ellis is good value.

Ellis was projected to go in the 3rd or 4th round in most mock drafts. Going early in the 3rd doesnt make him a value. It makes him a reach.

[Pyssed Doph]

is it just me or am i seeing more into this than i should.

i dont see him as a situational pass rusher. i see him as a starting outside linebacker.