Fast Break

NFL

Ellis Comeback Player of Year

Players entering their 10th season, coming off a major injury – a torn Achilles tendon, and in the midst of a position change rarely make an impact.

Greg Ellis made a major impact for the Dallas Cowboys at outside linebacker and on Saturday was voted the Associated Press 2007 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Ellis went from nonfactor in Dallas to a Pro Bowler in his new position after spending most of his career as a defensive end. He had 12 1/2 sacks, as part of a dynamic pass-rushing force.

He did it so well that Ellis drew 12 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who cover the league. In a season marked by strong comebacks, Ellis beat New England wide receiver Randy Moss, who was chosen on 10 ballots.

Tennis

Davenport inspires Williams

New mom Lindsay Davenport is Serena Williams’ “ultimate” role model.

Former No. 1 Davenport, the 2000 Australian Open champion, won in Auckland, New Zealand, last week for her third title in four events since giving birth last June to her first child, son Jagger.

This year’s defending champion is impressed.

“I’m speechless because she looks better than me and she’s seven months out of having a baby.” Williams said.

“I’m convinced if I had a baby, seven months later I’d probably still be in the hospital trying to get over the pain,” she laughed. “

Colleges

Coaches get word: no texting

Division I coaches are barred from text messaging recruits.

An attempt to override a ban failed at the NCAA convention in Nashville, Tenn. The vote by delegates was 240 to 65, with one abstention. The ban took effect Aug. 1 and was on the agenda after 30 schools asked for the override vote.

Kerry Kenny, who played basketball at Lafayette College and is the incoming chairman of the NCAA student-athlete advisory committee, asked delegates to uphold the ban. He called text messaging intrusive, putting a burden on recruits with messages coming in at all hours.