BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis chose the Chicago Bears over other suitors, but now he's elected to retire after not reporting to training camp Wednesday, the team announced.
A first-round pick by the Saints' (No. 7 overall) in 2008, Ellis enjoyed moderate success during his first three seasons in New Orleans, but said the team's scheme over the last two years "didn't quite suit my talents." Ellis posted 12 sacks in his first three seasons, but over the past two, he's contributed only a half-sack overall.
"I believe the first three years went pretty well," Ellis said. "We had some coaching changes and some scheme changes as far as defense. It was kind of a little rotation of defensive coordinators that came in for a little bit. I believe the last two years the schemes that were played didn't quite suit my talents. I think that showed in production."
Ellis was projected to play the three-technique spot in Chicago's 4-3 front, where he would have been used more as a penetrator than a mere run-plugger. That small detail made the difference in Ellis making the decision to sign with the Bears over other teams he visited such as the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots.
Now the team must look elsewhere for depth at defensive tackle, and it's expected the team will add at the position in the coming days.
