Envious of Nonstop Plaxico Burress Coverage, a New York Jet Gets Himself Arrested

It's always been difficult for the Jets playing in the shadow of the Giants. Clearly upset with all the attention paid this week to the boneheaded Plaxico Burress, Jets lineman Shaun Ellis decided he'd seen enough and has made a play to grab the headlines back.

OK, just being facetious there. But Ellis did get busted on a marijuana charge last Saturday, but we're only finding out about it today.

Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis, a team captain, was arrested for possession of marijuana during a traffic stop last Saturday morning near the team's training facility in Florham Park, N.J., the club confirmed Thursday.

Ellis, 31, played the following day against the Broncos, and will be allowed to play Sunday in San Francisco, according to a team spokesman.

"I apologize to my family, the fans and the organization," Ellis said in a statement released through the team. "As a captain, I set a poor example for my teammates as well as all NFL players. Although this is a pending legal matter, I understand that I have to be responsible for my actions."

Ellis' case will be reviewed under the NFL's substance-abuse policy, a league spokesman said. He could be suspended by the commissioner, according to the policy. Any player convicted of, or admitting to a violation of the law, including possession of a substance other than alcohol, is subject to discipline.

But according to an NFL source, it would take several months for any discipline to be handed down, meaning it won't affect Ellis' ability to finish this season. The Jets declined to say whether they would discipline him.

Ellis also was charged with driving without insurance and speeding after he was stopped by a Hanover Township police officer at 8:37 a.m. Ellis was stopped after allegedly speeding past a police car on Route 287 South. He was "uncooperative" and refused to hand over his paperwork, according to a police statement.

Ellis was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He also was issued summonses for driving without insurance, speeding, failure to keep right and failure to produce a valid registration card.

No indication whether he was sparking up at 8:37 a.m. Seems just a bit early to be getting stoned.