New England Patriots running back Corey Dillon looks for a hole as New York Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis (92) and defensive tackle Jason Ferguson (72) defend in first half action in Foxboro, Mass. on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004Defensive end Shaun Ellis is switching sides in one of the NFL’s most intense rivalries.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection from the University of Tennessee signed with the New England Patriots on Monday after 11 seasons with the New York Jets. The Patriots also signed another former first-round draft pick, free agent defensive end Andre Carter, who has played 10 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins.
Ellis, 34, had become the longest-tenured player on the Jets since he was taken 12th overall with a pick that New York obtained as compensation for letting coach Bill Belichick sign with the Patriots. The Jets said this offseason that they wanted him back but offered only the veteran minimum of $910,000.
They used their first two draft picks to bolster their defensive line, taking Temple defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson in the first round and Hampton nose tackle Kenrick Ellis two rounds later.
“I’m sad he went there,” Jets linebacker Bart Scott said Monday. “I think he deserved the opportunity to retire as a Jet. It’s one of those weird things. When you hear Shaun Ellis, you associate him with the green and white, but I wish him well and everything other than playing against us.”