Breaking News: Saints Strike A Deal With Holdout Sedrick Ellis

The New Orleans Saints have announced that they have agreed to a five-year deal with first round draft pick out of USC, defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis.  The financial terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

The second holdout in three years was becoming a major source of contention with Saints head coach Sean Payton over the past few days. The Saints started their training camp on July 24, and Ellis will have missed twelve practices by the time he finally reports to camp.

"He's missing opportunities to get better, and that can affect his play," Payton was quoted as saying. "If you just look at the history of guys who have held out for longer than a period of four or five days, it hasn't been real good." 

Payton is no stranger to dealing with a first round pick holding out. Two years ago Reggie Bush, another former USC Trojan, was taken by the Saints as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 draft. It was rumored that Bush was holding out to try and get more money than Mario Williams, who was picked first overall that year in a surprise move by the Houston Texans.

Ellis, who was picked seventh in the draft, is said to have made an impression on the coaching staff during rookie camp this past spring. Looking to bolster the pass rush on a defense that seemed to give up a numerous 3rd-and-long conversions last season, the Saints coaches were expecting Ellis to compete for a starting job in training camp.  It remains to be seen how the holdout will hurt his chances while he plays catch up.

Ellis was selected as both an All-American as well as the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. He recorded 58 tackles and 8.5 sacks in his final season at USC. 

The Saints are looking to find the form they displayed during the magical 2006 season when they played in the NFC Championship game. The 2007 season was largely graded as a disappointment plagued by injuries and position problems.