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New York Jets: Remembering gang green legend Shaun Ellis

By Angelina Rizzo

HOUSTON - OCTOBER 19: Shaun Ellis #92 of the New York Jets looks on from the sideline during a game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on October 19, 2003 in Houston, Texas. The Jets defeated the Texans 19-14. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
HOUSTON - OCTOBER 19: Shaun Ellis #92 of the New York Jets looks on from the sideline during a game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on October 19, 2003 in Houston, Texas. The Jets defeated the Texans 19-14. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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We take a look back at one of the most underrated New York Jets of all-time, Shaun Ellis. Here are his career highlights and some other details.

The New York Jets used one of four (not a typo) first-round draft picks on Shaun Ellis in the 2000 NFL Draft.

That ended up being a historic draft for many reasons, but certainly set the tone for the 21st-century green and white:

  • Shaun Ellis (12th overall pick)
  • John Abraham (13th overall pick)
  • Chad Pennington (18th overall pick)
  • Anthony Becht (27th overall pick)

MeShaunda Pizarrur Ellis, nicknamed ‘Shaun’ also went by ‘Big Katt’ finished as a two-time Pro Bowler (2003, 2009). One of the true fan favorites of Jets fans.

He spent 11 long seasons with the green and white setting fear into opposing quarterbacks across the league. Although after helping the green and white reach consecutive AFC Championship games, he swapped his gang green for the New England Patriots.

In his lone season with the Pats, Ellis advanced to his first and only Super Bowl appearance. The New York Giants ended up winning that one 21-17 thanks to some late Eli Manning heroics (stop me if you’ve heard that before).

I would definitely have to say that Ellis’ best Jets moment came in a game against the Buffalo Bills. This game was played on December 14 of 2008. Ellis ran a recovered fumble all the way back, pushing the Jets ahead and giving the Jets the lead. That play was the go-ahead factor in a win. It was a standout play all around.

I would say that Ellis’ worst moment was a minor occurrence in the year of 2008 as well. Ellis had some unintentional snow tossing fun at the expense of a few Seattle Seahawks fans during a game against them. Ellis denied any malintent, however, it cost him $10,000 and it just was a bad move that could have turned nasty in the long run.

Next. New York Jets: Final 53-man roster prediction ahead of cut day

To put things in perspective, Shaun Ellis was a longtime fan favorite who stuck with the team helping out a solid defensive core for 11 years. Defensively, you had to respect him. As a man, you had to respect him. He goes down in history as a solid defensive end that we all wished still played in the league today. Overall for his career, I’d give him a grade: B.

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