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Saints Agree to Terms with 1st-Round Pick Sedrick Ellis
NewOrleansSaints.com
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 7:45 PM
The New Orleans Saints have agreed to terms with DT Sedrick Ellis on a five-year contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis. The defensive tackle, selected seventh overall in April’s NFL Draft, was an All-American and the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at USC.
 Ellis works during minicamp. In 48 career games, Ellis started 36 contests and posted career totals of 144 tackles (74 solo), 17.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries and a pair of forced fumbles. He also deflected 13 passes and blocked a kick. The Saints traded up from the 10th to the seventh overall selection with the New England Patriots to choose Ellis, considered one of the top defensive players available in the draft.
In 2007, Ellis opened all 13 games at nose guard for the Trojans and recorded a career-high 58 stops, 8.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He also recovered two fumbles and knocked down seven passes.
Ellis (6-1, 307) was recruited to Southern California and coached in his first two years as a freshman and sophomore by then-Trojans defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, now the Saints’ defensive line coach.
"It's about time, " Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis said. "It took a little longer than it should have, but it is what it is. We're glad it's done. We're glad he's in the fold. And we'll see what kind of shape he's in tomorrow afternoon."
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