FanHouse Mickeyloomis

You could see the frustration build up within the Saints organization with each passing day of Sedrick Ellis' holdout. After a couple of days Mickey Loomis declared it could be a lengthy holdout. Then Sean Payton remarked that Ellis needed to get into camp because he was only hurting himself. Even today, with the two sides finally agreeing on a contract, Loomis remarked that, "It's about time," and that it "took a little longer than it should have."

But, regardless, the deal is done. Ellis will get $19.5 million guaranteed for five years. The rest of the money totals $49 million, but reportedly includes some hard-to-reach incentives that bring its value closer to $32 million. By comparison, sixth-overall pick Vernon Gholston, who went one pick ahead of Ellis, got a total of $50 million over five years, with $21 million guaranteed.

The Saints traded up from 10th overall to the Patriots' spot at seven to select Ellis, who will start at nose tackle. He's expected to be the anchor of a revamped defense and will be responsible for clearing traffic for Jonathan Vilma.

Missing seven days of training camp is not advantageous for Ellis, who is joining a team already well-accustomed to the 100-degree heat and humidity that blankets Jackson, Mississippi. If Ellis isn't adequately prepared he risks injury, much like fellow rookie Tracy Porter (who hurt a hamstring after missing two days of camp). Add on top of that the presence of last year's starter Hollis Thomas, who is slimmer and healthier, and Ellis has his work cut out for him.

Saints GM Mickey Loomis might have been right in blaming the agents for the pronounced slowdown on negotiations for first- and second-round draft picks this year, but these players are grown men, and their agents are under their employ. At some point it falls on the players to realize what's best for them and make sure their representatives get in line.

Jordan Dizon, Lions' second-round pick, is not doing this. In fact, he hasn't made one right step since his college days ended.

To be fair, he's not the only second-rounder still unsigned. But he is the only second-rounder who was arrested six days before the draft for DUI, and certainly the only one to withhold that information from his eventual employer, leaving it to a newspaper to clue the Lions in two months later. That's a big strike one, and you'd think he would have responded by building good will with the team.

Especially since this camp is very important for him -- the Lions are all but handing the middle linebacker job to him, but Dizon's stubborn holdout is causing more damage than the few hundred thousand dollars he's fighting for are worth. And the Lions are seemingly (and rightfully) growing tired of it.

Which might explain the interest in Takeo Spikes. At this point, Spikes doesn't have as much to offer as Dizon, but he's proven he can handle the responsibilities of being an adult in the NFL. Dizon is proving the opposite.

Training camp is finally here and FanHouse breaks down the most important position battles heading into the season, team by team.

Last year in this space, I proclaimed Robert Meachem vs. Devery Henderson for the second starting receiver vacancy to be the Saints' most intriguing battle. I'm an idiot. Meachem, slowed by injury at first and an inability to pick up the playbook second, became the only first-rounder to don street clothes every Sunday. Henderson regressed as a receiver and found his starting job taken by the more capable David Patten.

So Patten's the incumbent, but Meachem is back in the picture. Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis have raved about the athletic freak's progress and increased devotion, putting him very much in the mix for a lot of playing time in a spot that will have a lot of room to move with Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey, and Reggie Bush occupying defenders.

Ironically, Meachem has found a mentor on the team to help him grow -- Patten, the man he might very well replace.

But it'll be easier said than done. Patten might not have Meachem's considerable physical abilities, but he's got one thing that matters in pass-heavy offense heavily reliant on timing -- reliability. Drew Brees found a comfort with Patten last year, something the fastest 40 time or highest vertical can't compete with.

If Brees and Payton can't trust Meachem, draft status won't matter -- it'll be Patten's job again. If the question mark is finally ready to put his talents on display, however, it's another dangerous piece to a dangerous offense.

The Saints haven't really given any substantial hints as to their offseason plans, although they have noted that they plan on improving their defense (which needs it, badly, by the way). That has led most to assume that their first round pick, 10th overall, will be on defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs' side of the ball. But let's not rush to assumptions.

In GM Mickey Loomis' tenure, the Saints have traded up, they've traded back, they've traded picks for players and vice versa. But their one overarching credo has been "best player available." It's the reason they drafted Deuce McAllister when they had Ricky Williams and Will Smith when they had Darren Howard and Charles Grant. It's the reason they might eschew defense in the first.

Let's assume that the top four defensive linemen (Sedrick Ellis, Glenn Dorsey, Vernon Gholston, and Chris Long) are gone. If the Saints don't feel there is another player worthy of that pick, they won't reach. And the man they might take instead is offensive tackle Ryan Clady.

Of course, Clady might already be gone as well. But though Drew Brees' numbers are quite large, his yards per attempt dropped by 1.2 this past season -- a direct result of less time. Taking Clady would give them options -- put him on the right side in place of Jon Stinchcomb or move Jammal Brown to his natural spot and play Clady on the left. Either way, picking up a very good lineman is never a bad thing, and, in this case, sure beats reaching for an "if".