Ellingson signs with Buccaneers, rejoins Gaitor

Photo courtesy of USA Today

Luis D. Gutierrez/ Contributing Writer

Greg Ellingson has found his way back to the National Football League.
After being waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars last August, the former Panther receiver has signed a practice squad contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ellingson, who is leaving the New Orleans Voodoo of the Arena Football League midseason to join the Bucs training camp, caught 33 passes for 475 yards and eight touchdowns with the Voodoo.  He also played an essential role on special teams for the AFL squad as a kickoff returner and holder.

Ellingson’s coming out party came in the Voodoo’s 65-42 loss to the Milwaukee Mustangs last March, where he finished the game with 142 yards on ten receptions and scored two touchdowns.  He also notched a two-point conversion early in the third quarter when he fumbled an extra-point snap yet, recovered the ball and ran towards an open gap in the end zone tying the game at 28.

Despite the loss, fans and coaches noticed Ellingson was not just another number on the roster as New Orleans coach Pat O’ Hara praised his performance and acknowledged him as “a flat out football player.”

After an overachieving tenure in the AFL, Ellingson now finds himself back in the NFL.   However, contrary to Jacksonville, Ellingson has familiar company in Tampa Bay, joining former FIU All-Sun Belt cornerback Anthony Gaitor.

Ellingson will enjoy the luxury of having a former college coach in the newly-hired Greg Schiano.  Schiano, a former defensive coordinator at the University of Miami, was known for getting the most out of pure football players during his tenure at Rutgers, most noticeably Ray Rice, who arrived at the school as a mere two-star prospect and went on to become an all-pro running back for the Baltimore Ravens.

Schiano’s familiarity with the college game and preference of pure football players over talent, height, and weight gives Ellingson, the “flat out football player”, a slight advantage in earning a roster spot with the Bucs.

However, the challenge will still be hefty. Tampa Bay spent $55 million signing all-pro receiver Vincent Jackson from San Diego and signed pro bowl caliber tight end Dallas Clark from Indianapolis, in an effort to restore a mediocre passing game.

With the highest of standards already on the roster, Ellingson will have to impress in camp to earn a spot with the Bucs.  In comparison to the 131 passes he caught as a Panther, he has his second chance at an NFL breakthrough right in his hands. It will be the yards, however, after the catch that will earn him a jersey in Tampa Bay.

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