IRVING – The 2007 season was a magical one for Greg Ellis.

He returned to the field after surgery to repair a torn Achilles' tendon and had a career-high 12 ½ sacks. The effort resulted in the first Pro Bowl berth of his 11-year career and being chosen as the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year.

And to think, Ellis wanted to be traded in 2006 when the Cowboys switched him from defensive end to outside linebacker.

The big question for the 33-year old Ellis now: Can he have another double-digit sack season?

Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart believes he can. Stewart said Ellis' effectiveness in pressuring the quarterback wasn't a surprise.

"Looking at him, he has the capabilities of being a very good pass rusher. I kind of expected it. I didn't expect all those sacks, but I knew he would get sacks because he's a proven guy," Stewart said.

When Ellis moved to outside linebacker in 2006 under then-coach Bill Parcells, he was asked to play the run first, then rush the passer.

But Ellis gave early indications of what he could do as a pass rusher at his new position, getting 4 ½ sacks in only nine games. However, he was lost for the remainder of the season after the Achilles' injury.

When Wade Phillips took over as head coach last season, the defensive scheme called for Ellis to utilize his pass-rush abilities first.

"I'm one of those players that believes in opportunity," defensive end Marcus Spears said of Ellis. "That has a lot to do with production, and if you give G a chance to rush, he will get to the quarterback."

Ellis, who missed the first three games of the 2007 season while still recovering from his injury, returned as a force. He had a stretch of 10 sacks over an eight-game span. It appeared the scheme worked for Ellis.

"In my first [couple of years] here in Dallas, I did what they told me," Ellis said. "It hurt my career a lot in the sack category, but I'm still the guy who wants to do what the coaches ask me to do."

Ellis is always concerned about his status on the team. During the off-season, he questioned whether the Cowboys were moving 2007 first-round pick Anthony Spencer ahead of him at outside linebacker.

In a mini-protest, Ellis missed several off-season practices after his repetitons were reduced.

Phillips then told Ellis he was the starter and that the team believed in him. The team also told Ellis that it wanted to rest his legs during the off-season and give Spencer more time on the field.

Ellis returned to off-season practices without further problems.

And now, with Spencer hurt – he could miss up to four weeks after undergoing knee surgery – Ellis is back to getting the bulk of snaps with the first team in practice.

Ellis has a simple wish for his role as a pass rusher.

"Hopefully they will cut me loose this year," he said.

But, he added, "I will always do what the coaches ask me to do."