July 28, 1999

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (AP) - Ebenezer Ekuban has been testing himself against Greg Ellis for the past five years. Don't be surprised if they keep it up for five more.

The defensive ends started their friendly rivalry as college teammates at North Carolina, first as players who went head-to-head in practice, then as a starter and backup. Now they're reunited as linemates on the Dallas Cowboys.

Ekuban, a first-round pick, signed a five-year, $5.65 million contract Tuesday in time for the first workout of training camp. When he arrived on the practice field at Midwestern State University, he was soon greeted by Ellis, Dallas' first-round pick last year and one of his closest friends.

"At North Carolina, he pushed me and I pushed him," said Ekuban, who as a freshman and sophomore tight end literally tried pushing around Ellis when they lined up against each other in drills.

"Here, he has one year underneath his belt, so he can warn me about what to expect and what to look for. He can tell me the things that are going to come across, how to read plays better, how to talk to the media and everything else. He helps a lot."

Ellis said the Cowboys are going to get their money's worth from Ekuban.

"Eb is big and fast, so I think he's going to help us out a whole lot," Ellis said. "He's also a solid guy, not a guy who is going to get into trouble, or anything like that.

"I think a lot is expected of anybody in the first round, and it's probably not going to be any different with him. But I think he can handle it. I won't say he will, but he has the ability to do so."

The two are such tight friends that Ekuban, who has two older sisters and four younger sisters, says Ellis is like an older brother.

But like any teammates, friends or brothers, each always tries to top the other.

"About three weeks ago, we had 300-yard shuttles and I ran a pretty good time," Ekuban said. "Greg got upset and he beat my time. So I got angry and wanted to go out again, but (strength coach) Joe Jurasek said, `No, you don't need to do that.' Next year, I'll just nip it in the bud and have a real good time so I know he can't catch me."

Speed is a big part of what the Cowboys like about Ekuban. His time of 4.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash was the fastest among defensive linemen at this year's scouting combine. What's more impressive is that he runs that fast while carrying 281 pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame.

"It's not just flat-out, running-straight-down-the-field speed, it's functional speed at his position," Cowboys coach Chan Gailey said. "He has the ability to turn the corner on a tackle, lower his shoulder and keep his balance."

Dallas moved up two spots to 20th to take Ekuban, making him the fourth defensive lineman the team has picked first in the last six drafts. It's all part of the Cowboys' quest to find someone who can shake things up the way Charles Haley did in his prime.

Help on the line is especially necessary this year as tackle Leon Lett is suspended indefinitely for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

"I'm optimistic that I'll have a very good impact on the team my first year," Ekuban said.