ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 7, 1996 TAG: 9612100027
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.
SOURCE: New York Times
PERCY ELLSWORTH, an ex-UVa star, has overcome his doubters and gained a starting job with New York.
At Virginia, Percy Ellsworth was an All-American safety, but in last April's NFL draft everyone passed him by. Supposedly, he had an injured shoulder, he wasn't strong enough, he wasn't coachable.
The Giants quickly signed him as a free agent, and he has turned out to be one of their few bright spots this season. On Sunday, against the Dolphins in Miami, he will start at free safety, and he may stay there for years.
Earlier in the season, when Tito Wooten suffered a hairline fracture of the right fibula, Ellsworth started against the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles. Last Sunday against the Eagles, Wooten sprained his right ankle. He has been on crutches this week, so Ellsworth will start again.
Whether Wooten was healthy or not, the change was coming, because Wooten had been having trouble with coverages and tackling. Meanwhile, Ellsworth had been growing by the week.
``I think Percy has done a real good job,'' coach Dan Reeves said after Friday's practice. ``He plays the ball real well. He's tackling well. He's been exceptional for a rookie.''
At first, Ellsworth played almost exclusively in the nickel and dime packages. Lately, he has played more and more in the base defense.
``I've got a long way to go,'' said Ellsworth, 22. ``The good thing is that I can see how I can get there. I know what I have to work on. I have to get stronger so I can make better tackles. I'm a sure tackler, but you want to be a punishing tackler.''
He has good size for a free safety: 6 feet 2 inches and 199 pounds. He has 30 tackles, six assists, eight passes defended, three interceptions (tying Jason Sehorn for the team lead) and a fumble recovery.
``I don't get too excited about any plays,'' Ellsworth said. ``I get down on myself more than up. Maybe my biggest play was that interception against Dallas because it sealed our victory, but any safety could have made that play. I want to get to my college level where I made plays that other guys couldn't.''
Zaven Yaralian, the Giants' defensive backfield coach, says those plays are coming.
``There are a lot of things he has to do better,'' Yaralian said, ``footwork, techniques, knowing all coverages, adjusting quickly. Those things come with reps. The more he plays, the better he'll get.''
While Ellsworth speaks softly, the confidence is there.
``I'm going to be maybe one of the best safeties to play the game,'' he said. ``I honestly feel I have the tools. It's a matter of how hard I work and staying humble. I've got to beware of overconfidence and cockiness. You can't be making big plays and start thinking you're there already when you're not even close because you'll mess up and come tumbling down.
``My family always tells me to stay humble. I'm listening. I'd hate for someone who knew me to say Percy has changed. If I'm a bum on the street or a millionaire, I want to have the same attitude.''
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Ellsworthby CNB