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Saints' Dannell Ellerbe producing as a pass rusher at career-best rate


New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) in the fourth quarter during the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on Sunday, November 27, 2016. (Photo by Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune) Technical info: Lens (mm): 400 ISO: 2500 Aperture: 2.8 Shutter: 1/1250 Comment: "It is hard to really capture emotion when your subjects wear helmets, but Ellerbe's joy at a sack is evident in his entire body." (Michael DeMocker)

By Josh Katzenstein, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
December 07, 2016 at 3:57 PM, updated December 07, 2016 at 3:59 PM


Dannell Ellerbe wonders what might've been this season.

The New Orleans Saints outside linebacker has played just five games this season, and he has a sack in each of the past four. However, when he talked about his impressive current stretch this week, Ellerbe hardly seemed excited.

"I could just think, like, what if I played the whole season, where would I be at now?" Ellerbe said. "Now I'm just playing catch up, and we lost (Sunday) so I really don't have nothing to be happy about."

The Saints defense has played better with Ellerbe on the field, both this season and 2015 after he arrived in a trade from the Miami Dolphins. The problem is he hasn't been on the field consistently, appearing in just six games last year and five so far this season.

Ellerbe's impact in 2016 has been excellent when he's been available. In his Week 8 debut, he played just 18 snaps, but still had five tackles.

He sat Week 9, but in each the past four games, he has a sack and a tackle for loss. Despite his limited playing time this year, Ellerbe already ranks in the top 5 on the team in sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hits -- all seven of which were in the past four games.

"I'm not a pass rusher by any means, but I'm just getting after it," he said.
Ellerbe's career high sacks is 4.5 from 2012 with the Baltimore Ravens, and as long as he stays healthy, he should break that mark this season.

"He's an exciting player to watch," Saints defensive end Darryl Tapp said. "I always knew of him from Baltimore and seeing him play in Miami, but I didn't know really how explosive he was until I just saw him play (this year)."

Saints' Dannell Ellerbe producing as a pass rusher at career-best rate | NOLA.com

I wanted before Miami got him but not at the price they paid. He is a good player but the dang laundry list of injuries is a killer.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins