Ellis meeting early expectations

5/10/2008, 6:27 p.m. CDT

The Associated Press

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — This would be one time when Sedrick Ellis, the New Orleans Saints' top draft choice, won't mind his new coach calling him a "pain in the rear."

Defensive linemen are supposed to be disruptive, forcing blockers to stumble, quarterbacks to scramble and running backs to change course after the handoff.

The Saints drafted Ellis seventh overall last month to do just that.

While he has yet to be tested against NFL veterans, coaches appear pleased by Ellis' performance during the first few practices of this weekend's three-day rookie camp, which started Friday and ends Sunday.

"He's been a pain in the rear for a couple days now, splitting double-teams and getting in the backfield," head coach Sean Payton said.

Practices have been closed to the public and media, but by Payton's account, Ellis, who starred at Southern California, appears to be in good shape and has performed as expected.

"It's real important to him. He's got a lot of the things we're looking for," Payton said. "He's an explosive player. I think he's got a want-to. He's been a part of a winning program. I like him. I like what I've seen."

In 13 games last season for USC, Ellis had 58 tackles, 12.5 tackles for losses and 8.5 sacks. He also was credited with breaking up seven passes. He was an All-America selection and the Pac-10 Conference defensive player of the year.

Coaches hoped he'd be a dominant force this weekend against fellow rookies, and Ellis did not want to disappoint them.

"Being a first-round pick, you have a level of pressure. You want to make a good impression," Ellis said. "I'm going to work my hardest to put my stamp on this team. ... I'm going to compete for everything I can get."

Payton said Ellis could play at either defensive tackle position, meaning he could be the nose tackle, lining up opposite the center, or at the other tackle spot, taking on an offensive guard.

Ellis, meanwhile, said he benefited from having been recruited by and playing for Saints defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, who was a defensive assistant at USC when Ellis joined the Trojans.

"I definitely know what to expect from coach O," Ellis said. "He's been the same since the first day I met him until now. He knows my strengths and weaknesses, so I think that's a good combination."

Ellis, who grew up in Chino, Calif., said he had never been to New Orleans before this weekend. The 6-foot-1, 307-pound lineman is well aware that his new in-season home is a place renowned for fine dining, something he's eager to try out. He points out he'll do so in moderation, however.

"As a professional now, you have to be disciplined, get your workouts in and watch your eating habits," said Ellis, who was a teammate of Saints running back Reggie Bush when both were at USC three seasons ago. "Maybe I will give Reggie a call and hit the spots, see what is good down here."

Living in a place like New Orleans, where the food is rich and some bars never close, can have it's pitfalls for young men experiencing new levels of celebrity and wealth.

Payton, however, doesn't seem too worried about that.

"He's another player you'll be impressed with off the field," Payton said. "He'll bring a presence to us. He'll have to work and earn his spot ... as all these guys will, but I think it's not going to be too big for him."

Ellis progressing well in practice

By LARRY HOLDER

METAIRIE, La. --

Saints coach Sean Payton said Ellis has been "a pain in the rear" for anyone having to defend the team's 2008 first-round pick through four rookie minicamp practices.

The frightening part for offensive linemen and salivating part for Payton and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron is the way Ellis responded to his thoughts in beginning his workouts with the Saints.

Alexander's visit - The Saints' interest in former NFL MVP running back Shaun Alexander appears to be more of a fact-finding visit to the Saints facility than anything else.

"What you try to do is just look at the different options and get a chance to become more familiar with players than what you just see on tape," Payton said. "It was really just that. He's had a long successful career and he's still got some good years ahead of him, so we'll see where it takes him."

Still talking tight end - The talk of the Saints' interest in acquiring Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey is seemingly never-ending.

When asked about whether or not improving depth at tight end is a priority in the offseason, Payton said, "If the right player was available and we felt like he could come in an compete with the guys we currently have on our roster, than we'd be interested in doing that."

Kicking debate - Payton said the team worked out two kickers - Georgia' Brandon Coutu and Wisconsin's Taylor Mehlhaff - as one of the last things it did in preparing for last month's draft.

Coutu was ranked by many as the draft's top kicker, but when special teams coaches Greg McMahon and Mike Mallory came back from both workouts, Payton said there was a "gap and a clear separation" between the two kickers in favor of Mehlhaff.

Training camp update - From all indications, the Saints plan to return to Millsaps College in Jackson for training camp for the third consecutive year. Or are they?

"I think it's Millsaps and then when I say that... ," Payton said.

He then asked vice president of communications Greg Bensel if the team had announced the location yet and Bensel said it hadn't.

Camp larger than normal - The Saints have more than 60 players participating in this weekend's rookie camp, which is the largest amount of players since Payton has been in New Orleans. Those who spent time on the Saints' practice squad last season or who were on the roster leading up to camp that are participating are cornerback Anwar Phillips, fullback Kevin Dudley, guard Tim Duckworth, wide receiver Titus Ryan, tight end Buck Ortega and cornerback Greg Fassitt.

Some recognizable last names - Running back John David Washington may be far more accustomed to the big stage than anyone else at the Saints' practice facility. It's not from his days at Morehouse or the year he spent last year on the St. Louis Rams' practice squad. He's the son of Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington.

Then there's another No. 97 taking on blockers on the defensive line as defensive end Jeremy Geathers, son of former Saints defender Jumpy Geathers, also took part in the three-day rookie camp.

METAIRIE - Tracy Porter grew up in southern Louisiana, so he thought he knew what to expect.

<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript"> OAS_AD('ArticleFlex_1');</script> Sedrick Ellis tried as hard as he could to prepare himself for it.

But both players found themselves gasping for air when the New Orleans Saints opened their weekend rookie mini-camp Friday.

"It's definitely a little different," said Ellis, a defensive tackle from USC that the Saints selected with the seventh overall pick in the NFL draft. "Even when you workout in California and you think you're in shape in California, you come out here and the air's a little different.

"The first day was a lot more difficult than today was. My body is getting more used to it and we're working it out."

Porter, who prepped at Port Allen High School before heading to Indiana, said he thought he was prepared to return to the region's heat and humidity.

"It's been a while since I trained or practiced here," said Porter, who was selected in the second round. "So for the first periods we had at practice, it's pretty difficult for me. After I adjusted, things just started falling from there."

Conditioning aside, Saints coach Sean Payton said he's been encouraged by the play of the team's 2008 draft class.

"I've been very encouraged from what I've seen from the class in general," Payton said Saturday. "The big guard from Nebraska (Carl Nicks) has done a good job of stepping in there.

"When you look at Ellis, he's been a pain in the rear for a couple of days now splitting some double teams and getting in the backfield.

"Porter showed some of the coverage skills we're anticipating. (Adrian) Arrington, the receiver (from Michigan) we drafted in the seventh round, has done a good job of handling the assignments. I think he's a pretty smart kid. Overall, I've been encouraged."

With Ellis' former defensive coordinator at USC, Ed Orgeron, now coaching the Saints' defensive line, the 6-foot-1, 305-pounder has been able to pick up on the team's scheme pretty easily.

"I think you can always improve," Ellis said. "I'm very happy with how fast I'm catching on to the system. The plays that they've put in and the stunts, I've been able to grasp them pretty quickly.

"You can always get better as a football player, technique-wise. You haven't played football in a while so you want to hone in on your skills this weekend."

Ellis has been working at nose tackle, while fifth-round pick DeMario Pressley (from N.C. State) has been working at the three technique, or the defensive tackle position.

"We initially brought them in at that position because that's what they played in college," Payton said. "Ellis is more familiar in the nose and I think he's got flexibility and we'll want to work him at the three also.

"I think (Pressley's) going to be able to get stronger in our program. I think that will be important for him. He's got athletic ability. His body of work isn't as good as Ellis, but nonetheless, he's a young talent we're excited about."

Payton has also been encouraged with the play of Porter, who's always getting reps in the return game.

"Porter's got good ball skills," Payton said. "When a corner doesn't have good ball skills, eventually there's no downside to throwing in the direction of a corner that can't catch real well. It's either going to be complete or incomplete.

"Now, when a corner does have good ball skills, your location has to be a little bit more exact because he's capable of picking off a bad throw. He gets his hands on a lot of balls. I think he's got a lot of good cover skills."

The rookie mini-camp will conclude today. The Saints will then break camp and return to offseason training, before returning to Metairie on the last weekend in May for mini-camp.

"It's hard to tell (where some of the players are) because we've got such a mixed group," Payton said. "You have to be mindful of who Porter is covering or who Ellis is beating on a double-team or who Nicks is blocking. I think you'll get a better indication of how they're doing when they're with the veteran players."

Man you always beatin me to the puch. No wonder I am falling in rating lol. JK I didnt realize this is the same thing I put up .I do have a question why is it I keep going form AS to S ? It seems to be back and forth every few days lately .Am I doing something wrong?

GEAUX Saints

The Saintsman JR Jim in Maine