FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Shaun Ellis shakes his head when he thinks about all the blue and white confetti that fell around him after last year’s AFC championship game.
He remembers the Indianapolis Colts jumping around and celebrating the victory, while he and the rest of the New York Jets could only watch and think about what could’ve been.
“It seems like it was just yesterday,” Ellis said Thursday. “We were only 30 minutes away. While we were walking off the field, it was like, ‘If we get this opportunity again, we definitely have to take advantage of it.’
“Now we’re here again, so guys are ready.”
Ellis, 33, has been with the Jets (13-5) longer than anyone on the team, a guy who has dreamed of getting to the Super Bowl throughout his 11 NFL seasons. They’re one win away — again — with only the Pittsburgh Steelers (13-4) standing in their way.
And this time, Ellis wants to see green and white confetti fluttering to the field.
“It’s been a long time for our fans and our franchise,” the defensive end said. “So for us to be able to get to that point — and not just get there, but get there and win it — would be huge for us.
“It’s time.”
Ellis has played in more playoff games than anyone in team history and ranks third in career sacks. But he’s scheduled to be a free agent after this season and doesn’t know if he’ll be back. Ellis was told by the team in the offseason it wouldn’t grant him a contract extension, in accordance with team policy.
“I just want to go out and win a ring, and this year, I want to do it. Next year, whatever happens, happens,” he said.
