Healthy Saints linebacker Dannell Ellerbe ready to get to work with new team
Dannell Ellerbe entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2009, eventually stepping into a starting role in 2011 for three games for an injured Ray Lewis. His first real commendable outing came in 2012 after another Lewis injury. Ellerbe started seven games and helped lead Charm City’s football team to a Super Bowl title.
He would sign with the Miami Dolphins the following season, totaling 101 tackles, two interceptions and a sack for a mediocre year due to a lack of explosiveness he once displayed so well in Baltimore. He was thrown into a different role as a Mike linebacker. A Will with the Ravens, he’ll look to have that job again with the New Orleans Saints.
Dannell Ellerbe missed 15 games a year ago, falling to a season-ending hip injury. A tough setback to bounce back from, Dannell Ellerbe believes he’ll be just fine as long as he can stay healthy and play the weak side.
"“It don’t matter if it’s a 3-4 or 4-3. As long as I get to play the weak side, I’m good. I get to show my athleticism and do a couple of things, blitz, cover, instead of just playing in the middle and doing coverage. I really didn’t blitz the last time I played.” – Ellerbe via ESPN"
The Saints acquired Dannell Ellerbe in the trade that sent wide receiver Kenny Stills to Miami. New Orleans hopes to get that Baltimore-type production from the linebacker in 2015, and it begins with health. So far, so good. Ellerbe announced via Twitter Wednesday morning that he passed his physical and conditioning tests at training camp facilities in West Virginia. He’s ready to get back to work with his new team.
Blessed to see another day!!!
— Dannell Ellerbe (@ellerbe59) July 29, 2015
Physical passed ✔️ Conditioning Test passed ✔️ Report to Camp at playing weight ✔️ #lookout
— Dannell Ellerbe (@ellerbe59) July 29, 2015
Preciate all the love and encouragement fr
— Dannell Ellerbe (@ellerbe59) July 29, 2015
Dannell Ellerbe has proven to be capable in the past, and with a fresh start in a new city, he’ll look to renew his success in hopes of leading and turning the New Orleans Saints defense back into a praiseworthy unit after a down year for the club in 2014. Plus, the positional battle he’s in line to fight against David Hawthorne, rookie Stephone Anthony and Ramon Humber should be a great one to watch at training camp.