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F LORHAM PARK, N.J. - Kenrick Ellis knows his time will come with the New York Jets [ team stats ] .
The rookie nose tackle’s coaches tell him to be patient, and so do his teammates. A third-round pick in April, Ellis was expected to be a big part of Rex Ryan’s defense. And, he still might be - at some point.
But so far, Ellis has been stuck on the sideline with the rest of the team’s inactive players through the first four games.
"When I’m needed, they’ll activate me," Ellis said. "There’s no stress or anything like that. There can’t be. Why should there be? You can’t go out here frustrated. You have to keep working and trying to be better everyday."
That’s why he approaches every practice as if it’s game day. That’s all he has for now.
"I mean, I have a great group of veterans in front of me and they’re playing really well," he said. "What can a rookie do? You just have to play your role, which is, right now, helping the guys get better in practice. That’s my role. I’ll just keep doing that."
While the 6-foot-4, 346-pound Ellis is still working on keeping his pads low as well as fine-tuning his footwork and hand placement, it has mostly been a numbers game that has kept him from making his NFL debut. Ryan and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine have been carrying more defensive backs than linemen, based on the tendencies of the opposing offenses.
Ryan said Friday that will likely be the case again Sunday, when the Jets play Tom Brady [ stats ] and the pass-happy New England Patriots [ team stats ] .
"It’s just a matter of time for that young man," Ryan said.
Both Ryan and Pettine said Ellis has been in the discussion every week as far as the last few players to make the active roster.
"Obviously, I want to play," Ellis said, "but the coaches have to do what’s best for us to win. And if that’s playing more DBs, it’s OK with me."
Ellis is certainly saying all the right things and appears to be a humble guy in the locker room, but make no mistake: He’s eager for the opportunity to make his debut.
"I remember how frustrated I was when I first came in and I sat, and I was a free agent," defensive lineman Mike DeVito said. "We know he’ll be ready to go when the time comes, and it’s not a matter of if, but when. The guy’s got such power. He reminds me of Kris Jenkins where he just fires off the ball, is so fast and can just bring it."
That’s exactly what the Jets saw in him at Hampton, where he was a star for three seasons while stuffing the run and dominating opponents.
"We talk all the time, and I mean, the guy, he’s a great player," said defensive lineman Marcus Dixon, a friend and former Hampton standout. "The coaches know it. They didn’t draft him in the third round to just sit. He’s going to be a great player for the New York Jets."
But, there was some baggage that came along with the pick. Ellis had some legal troubles after he was arrested following a fight on campus in April 2010 and was indicted on a malicious wounding charge. The trial has been delayed several times, with the date currently set for Feb. 7, 2012. A native of Jamaica with permanent resident status in the United States, Ellis could possibly face deportation if convicted of an aggravated felony.
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