Craig Ellis

Craig Ellis was a running back / slotback who played in the CFL from 1982 to 1993, with a couple of those years spent in the NFL.  Early in his career, Ellis was used as a running back, though even then he was used more as a receiver coming out of the backfield.  Later in his caeer, Ellis was used almost exclusively as a slotback.  Ellis started his career with the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL in 1982 and joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers that same year in September, playing just one game in his first CFL season.  In 1983. Edmonton signed Ellis as a free agent, but released him before he played any regualr season games for them.  Calgary signed Ellis as a free agent in August of 1983, and in just 9 games had 413 yards rushing and 30 catches for another 451 yards. The Saskatchewan Roughriders claimed Ellis off waivers from Calgary in October of 1983 and Ellis had his best two seasons as a running back with the Riders in 1984 and 1985.  Ellis ran for 690 and 569 yards in those two seasons but his average per carry of 4.9 and 3.8 were nothing spectactular.  As a receiver, however, Ellis was spectacular with 91 catches for 871 yards in 1984 and 102 catches of 977 yards in 1985.  In 1984, Ellis was named to the Western All-Star team at running back though oddly enough not in 1985, probably because he was judged more for his rushing ability than his pass catching.   Tprpmtp sogmed E;;os as a free agent in 1986 and again his running was less than spectacular with 113 carries for 381 yards (only a 3.4 yard average) while catching 41 passes.  Toronto released Ellis and he spent time the next two years in the NFL with Miami, Dallas and the LA Raiders, including during the NFL strike in 1987 with LA.  Ellis returned to the CFL in 1989 with Edmonton and was used almost exclusively at slotback in the next four years with Edmonton from 1989 through 1992.  Ellis put up some impressive numbers as a receiver, including three straight seasons from 1989 to 1991 with over 1000 yards receiving.  Ellis's best season came in 1990 when he caught 106 passes for 1654 yards to capture All-Canadian honours at slotback as well as being the runner-up for the Most Outstanding Player in the CFL.  Ellis was also an All-Canadian at slotback in 1989.  Ellis was part of a huge multi-player trade with Toronto in 1993, but ended up laying only one game with the Argos.  Ellis finished his career with 2095 yards rushing, and 580 catches for 7757 yards receiving.

Tackle stats were not kept until 1987.