Dannell Ellerbe’s path to the NFL took a different direction than he expected, but the former Richmond Raider standout is determined to show that he belongs in the league.

As a member of the Baltimore Ravens, the 6-foot-1, 243-pound Ellerbe has played in three of the Ravens’ six games this season and has recorded 11 total tackles. Ellerbe got his first and only start as the Ravens inside middle linebacker in week four against the New England Patriots.

Ellerbe tallied five tackles in the 27-21 loss to the Patriots. The Hamlet native was pleased with his performance and more satisfied that the Ravens’ defensive coaching staff had the confidence to start him.

“The best feeling about it was that the coaches, even with me being an undrafted rookie free agent and having no NFL experience, that they had the trust in me to put me into the fire,” Ellerbe said.

Ellerbe also received some extensive playing time in last week’s 33-31 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, which Ellerbe recorded six solo tackles. Though Ellerbe has fulfilled his dream of making it to the NFL, Ellerbe admitted he still walks around with a chip on his shoulder because he wasn’t drafted by a NFL team.

“That draft weekend was one of the worst times in my life and I was just in disbelief because I felt like, I should’ve been selected,” he said.

Ellerbe said the reasons he believes teams passed him up more than likely stem from off-the-fields issues which occurred as a sophomore at the University of Georgia. He was suspended for three games after being arrested and charged with a DUI, underage possession of alcohol, theft of automobile and giving false information to police.

Ellerbe also suffered a serious knee injury that reduced his playing time as a senior, dropping his tackles from a team-leading 93 as a junior to 33 in 2008.

“I was hearing that it had something to do with me having some character issues in the past and also me hurting my knee played a part in it,” Ellerbe said. “It was just a lot of stuff that I couldn’t control but it made me stronger.”

According to Ellerbe, he received a lot of calls from teams shortly after the draft, but decided to sign with the Ravens.

“They told me that they had thought about drafting me, and they were shocked that I didn’t get selected,” Ellerbe said. “They felt like they were getting a steal.”

Ellerbe quickly impressed the coaches in training camp going from the third team on defense to splitting time on both the first and second teams.

“Whenever, I got in, I tried to make a play instantly, so I could stick in there mind,” Ellerbe said.

But Ellerbe suffered a set back when he injured his knee, which cost him to miss some preseason games. Ellerbe said he was worried that not being on the field would cause him to not earn a roster spot, but was also believed that he could catch on with another franchise.

“I was concerned that I might get cut, but at the same time, I felt God had a plan for me,” Ellerbe said. “If they cut me, I had a strong mind, that someone would pick me up. But to make the team when there were guys that didn’t make the team that were drafted shows that all the plays I made must have made an impression on them.”

As a young defensive player on the Ravens, Ellerbe knows how fortunate it is for him to be under the wing of future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.

“He’s a great guy and a great leader, and I just want to learn everything from him,” Ellerbe said. “He helps me watch film, understand what I supposed to do and how to read plays. I just want to be a mirror-image of him, so I can step in when he retires.”

Ellerbe added that he was shocked to learn that Lewis confessed that he followed him in college. Lewis also offered Ellerbe some words of encouragement on not being drafted.

“He told me that God put us in some positions that we question or don’t understand, but it’s done for a reason,” Ellerbe said. “Those words he told me really helped me have a good camp.”

Despite Ellerbe’s emergence in the lineup, the Ravens have dropped to third place in the AFC North division. After jumping out to a 3-0 record, Baltimore has suffered three straight close losses and is 3-3 on the season.

A usual stout Ravens’ defense over the years is currently ranked ninth in the AFC in points allowed, giving up 21.7 points per game.

“We’ve been three plays away from being undefeated, but I rather lose early than late,” Ellerbe said. “This is a defense that has taken pride of not giving up too many big plays, and we’ve got to cut down giving them up.”

n Contact sports reporter Corey Davis at 997-3111, ext. 44; e-mail cdavis@yourdailyjournal.com