Greg Ellis is tired of the criticism directed at Cowboys teammate Roy Williams.

Ellis, the veteran outside linebacker, said he's heard the perception of fans and media that Williams, a strong safety, is a liability in pass coverage and the team should cut or trade him.

"As a teammate, I feel bad that people are saying Dallas needs to do something to Roy," Ellis said Thursday. "Is some of this stuff getting back to Roy? I don't know. My job is to defend him. I want Roy on this team. I know he wants to be on this team."

Last week, Williams said he is still not comfortable in the 3-4 defensive scheme employed by coach Wade Phillips. Williams confided in Ellis before last season that he was worried about finding a comfort level.

Williams also said sometimes he hopes passes won't be thrown his way in one-on-one coverage.

Williams does his off-season workouts at Valley Ranch before sunrise – without his teammates.

"I hate the fact he's isolated himself from the team," Ellis said Thursday on Sirius satellite radio. "I get there at 7:30 in the morning and Roy is leaving, man."

Ellis said he doesn't know why Williams is working out alone.

"It could be scheduling, something I don't know about," Ellis said. "I want him with the rest of the guys because I know he wants to be with us."