JACKSON – While the New Orleans Saints worked under the lights at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Tuesday night, the bigger news came off the field.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis announced after the two-hour practice that the team’s No. 1 draft pick, Southern California defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, had been signed.

“He’ll be here for (today’s) afternoon practice,” Loomis said. “I’m glad it’s done. Now, we’ll wait to see what kind of shape he is in.”

Ellis has missed nearly a week of training camp and the holdout was puzzling not only for head coach Sean Payton but Loomis as well.

“It shouldn’t have taken this long,” Loomis said. “But deals have become very complicated. They used to be pretty simple. Here’s you’re bonus, this is your contract.”

Ellis signed for five years. ESPN.com reported that the deal is worth nearly $49 million.

Ellis was widely considered the best defensive lineman in the draft after LSU’s Glenn Dorsey. At Southern Cal, he was a first-team All-American and the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. Last season with the Trojans, Ellis had 58 tackles and 8 1/2 sacks.

Saints campPractices are scheduled for 8:50 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. each day at Millsaps College until Aug. 11. Practices are free and open to the public.

“Saints linebacker Scott Fujita was glad to hear of Ellis’ signing.

“I like having those big guys down there to protect me. We need him in there as soon as we can get him,” Fujita said.

With the likes of the 307-pound Ellis upfront it should create more opportunities for Fujita, who over the last two years has led the Saints with 238 tackles.

Playing under the Veterans Memorial Stadium lights was also more accomodating than the hot, Mississippi sun.

“You can’t beat this. Anytime Payton can throw us a bone, we’ll take it. We had an easy one this morning with walk-through and I think it helped get our legs back,” Fujita said.

The Saints worked on their hurry-up offense behind quarterback Drew Brees and new back-up Mark Brunell. One of the highlights was Brees’ 60-yard strike to wide receiver David Patten.

“Without a doubt, it was great to be under the lights,” said Patten, who caught 54 passes for 792 yards last season. “No hot sun today. It was a great feeling out there.”

Payton said the improved surface at Veterans Stadium, along with the cooler temperatures, made going across the street from Millsaps College a good decision.

“The surface is very good and they have lights. I think we’re at that point in camp where it was a good changeup to get a night practice in the stadium. I think we’ve managed the weather pretty well. We’re going through a little bit of a spell here, but I think from a changeup, it will serve us well,” Payton said.