New Orleans Saints Defensive Tackle Sedrick Ellis
Post-Practice Press Conference
Monday, August 22, 2011
Coach Payton said he wanted to come out here to expand camp by coming out here. Why couldn't that be done in Metairie? Are there advantages to playing here in California?
I think his idea is to get away from Louisiana and eliminate distractions for the team, get us together as a group, just us, so we can focus on what we need to do. I think it is a great idea and I think the guys are taking advantage of the opportunity.
What was Gregg Williams' message to the team?
The message was about that it is not about what other people do, it's about what we do. I think it goes back to our fundamentals. If we do the right things on defense, it's going to be hard for anybody to beat us. I think we let up as a defense in that ideology. I think he is trying to instill that, pound that, into us. With the guys on this team, like I have always said, I don't think it will be a hard sell.
How do you handle the recent injuries at the defensive tackle position?
Well, we have been there before. You only go into a season with a certain number of defensive linemen anyway. The guys that are healthy will pick it up and fill in for those guys. They will be back when they are healthy and able to be back. Until then, the rest of us get to pick it up.
Aubrayo Franklin was injured in the last game, and he just came to the Saints. How does it hurt?
We are anticipating him being a big part of this defense. It always hurts a defense when somebody like that goes down. Like I said, I think we will be fine until he gets back. The rest of us just have to pick up the slack.
Was the defense's poor performance against Houston because you were holding back for the regular season?
We don't use that as an excuse on this team and on this defense. We made a lot of mistakes and they took advantage of them. We have to get better as a defense. There is no excuse. Your vanilla scheme is supposed to be your bread-and-butter. It's supposed to be what you do best. We have to go back to the drawing board and get better at our techniques and come out and have a better game.
Is there a sense of urgency because of the performance against Houston?
Most definitely. There should be a sense of urgency all the time. When something like that happens, especially on the defensive side of the ball, to me, you have to respond. I think with the guys that we have on this team, and the veteran leadership that we have on this team, I don't think that shouldn't be a problem at all.
Did you get a chance to go to the beach at all?
No, I didn't get a chance to go the beach yesterday, did you? Was it good? No, I didn't get a chance. I have family in this area. I am originally from the Los Angeles area. I had family come out, we went out to dinner, and I hung with family I hadn't seen in a while.
