Shaun Ellis has spent 11 seasons in New York, piling up 72.5 sacks, and while being stout against the run. He’s had at least 5 sacks in 8 of the 11 seasons and at least 4 sacks in 10 of the 11 seasons. Earlier this week, the Jets offered him the veteran’s minimum to return for one year. Ellis must have been offended by that because now he will be lining up against the Jets twice a year (and possibly a 3^rd time) as a member of the hated rival New England Patriots.

Ellis had 4.5 sacks last year, plus 2 in the Jets’ playoff win over the Patriots. He’s well worth the 4 million over a year the Patriots are paying him. Not only do they weaken the Jets pass rush, they bolster their own and replace the production they lost when they cut Ty Warren, who failed a physical earlier this offseason.

Grade: A