DeVito will miss mentor Ellis
New York Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis strikes a pose during warm-ups. (Jan. 12, 2011) Credit: Joe Epstein
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Mike DeVito hadn't heard about it yet, given he was on the practice field going through the Jets' morning walk-through when word first broke.
DeVito's good friend Shaun Ellis, someone he considers a brother, had agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Patriots. It was a blow to the solar plexus of sorts for DeVito, who was startled by the news that the 11-year veteran, who had played his entire career with the Jets, was headed for New England.
"It's really tough," the defensive end said Sunday. "That's a guy that, like you said, he's my brother. I have a ton of love for him. He's somebody that, coming in, could have made it hard on me but made it very easy on me, took me under his wing and helped me to grow in this league, and I attribute a lot of what I've done to his leadership . . . "
Ellis professed a desire to remain a Jet several times but reportedly was offered only a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum of roughly $910,000. Ellis, 34, worked out for the Patriots on Thursday and decided to take their deal Sunday.
Ellis had 36 combined tackles and 41/2 sacks in 2010, compared with 54 tackles and 61/2 sacks the previous season.
"It definitely will be weird to see him over there, but I wish him the best of luck," DeVito said. "A great player and, again, a guy I wish we can have over here. But that's the way the situation is. But again, I love him and I hope the best for him."
Extra points
S Jim Leonhard, coming off December surgery for a broken right leg, participated in team drills . . . Looking to bolster their pass blocking at tight end, the Jets agreed to a one-year deal with Keith Zinger, formerly of the Falcons.
