Giants sign former Jets DT Kenrick Ellis

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) The New York Giants didn't have to go far to find a run stopper for their defense.

The Giants announced Wednesday they signed former Jets defensive tackle/nose tackle Kenrick Ellis to shore up a defense that finished 30th against the run. Contract terms were not immediately available.

Ellis spent his first four seasons with the Jets, playing in 47 games with five starts. The 6-foot-4, 346-pounder had 66 career tackles, one sack and a forced fumble.

''I am a run stopper and I like doing it,'' Ellis said. ''That is the strength of my game. I look forward to helping the Giants get back to their glory.''

Ellis, who has room to improve, saw his playing time decline over the past two seasons as Damon Harrison beat him out with the Jets.

''I'm a journeyman. I come in and do my job,'' Ellis said. ''You don't get much recognition for it, but you get the job done and it helps out the team. I'll take on the double-teams and take on the work no one else wants to do. It's just who I am. I take pride in what I do, which is being a big man in the middle, and try to make sure no one runs the ball.''

Johnathan Hankins and Cullen Jenkins are the returning starting tackles in a group that also includes Markus Kuhn and Jay Bromley. Mike Patterson is a free agent.

The Giants allowed an average of 135.1 yards rushing in 2014. The Jets allowed an average of 93.1 yards, fifth best in the league.

Ellis played in 14 games last season and had nine tackles and his only sack. He was a third-round draft pick out of Hampton in 2011.

Hampton is happy about not having to move.

''It's the same city, but a different side of the city,'' he quipped.

---

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL