Saints LB Ellerbe Apologizes To Dolphins Fans For Article

New acquired linebacker Dannell Ellerbe was expected to make some waves on defense for the New Orleans Saints but looks like he’s doing it in the media as well.

In a recent interview with Shawn Stinson of YourDaily Journal.com, Ellerbe may have sparked a little bit of controversy with some comments about his transition from the Miami Dolphins to the Saints.

Elbe told Stinson of his new team:

"“It’s guys that want to win. I can honestly say it’s a place that knows how to win,” Ellerbe said. “I’m glad I’m getting back to a place with a great fan base and sold-out games. I’m looking forward to it. It’s always awesome when you have a great backing, when you have sold-out games and the fans got your back and are 100 percent behind you.”"

Saints fans are well known for their obsessive devotion to the team along with the energy they bring to the games in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Game Day.

Oct 26, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints fans celebrate in the stands during the third quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Packers 44-23. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Of course last year saw the energy become just as inconsistent as the team as the season stretched with even head coach Sean Payton seeming a bit agitated that the crowd was not as loud as previous years.

Stinson also wrote that Ellerbe said “in his own words” that he wasn’t played at the position that suited him best being bounced around as an outside linebacker as well as trying to play the middle or Mike linebacker position.

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When Ellerbe took over for an injured Ray Lewis in 2012 when he was with the Baltimore Ravens he was used in a system much like Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s scheme.

During that season he was asked to play either the right or left inside linebacker position, but mainly at left playing a total of 13 games at that spot which includes the postseason.

This was the only time Ellerbe, according to ProFootballFocus, graded out with a overall positive score of +8.3 with other years at weakside and middle linebacker grading out in the negative.

Nov 17, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews (24) stiff arms Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Miami won 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Also in the article Ellerbe expressed that he thinks it’s “awesome” that the Saints signed him to help rebuild their defense and is looking forward to working with Ryan.

But apparently some Dolphins fans didn’t think it was awesome because yesterday afternoon Ellerbe posted the following on his Twitter account:

I want to apologize for how the article reads, I was just trying to explain my excitement for playing back in the Dome.
— Dannell Ellerbe (@ellerbe59) May 25, 2015

I had fun in Miami and had some awesome fans on my side.
— Dannell Ellerbe (@ellerbe59) May 25, 2015

Looking at the numerous replies to Ellerbe’s tweets, it was a mix of good luck vibes combined with shots taken at the Saints franchise for being in the same category as the Dolphins.