Posted on Sun, May. 11, 2008
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Ellis progressing well in practice
By LARRY HOLDER
lholder@sunherald.com
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METAIRIE, La. --
Defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis beat his way through double teams more often than not during his first couple of days in a New Orleans Saints uniform.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.
SAINTS
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