Colston agrees to 3-year extension with Saints
The Times-Picayune July 23, 2008 5:29PM
JACKSON, MISS. - Star wide receiver Marques Colston has agreed to terms on a three-year extension with the Saints, General Manager Mickey Loomis announced Wednesday in his pre-training camp address,
Colston, a seventh-round pick in 2006, has far outplayed his rookie contract. In two seasons, he's caught 168 passes for 2,240 yardsand 19 touchdowns.
Loomis said he can't remember ever signing a player to an extension after two years. "He's been a nice surprise for us," Loomis said. "We're excited to have Marques and to know that he's going to part of the New Orleans Saints through 2011."
"He's steady and consistent and does his job" Saints Coach Sean Payton said. "As a player that was selected in round seven, he's started off on a good note. .. He brings a level of consistency and he knows what to do."
Payton, in his pre-camp address to media at Millsaps College, said Wednesday that 79 players reported to camp and that the team is in good shape. Three players - safety Josh Bullocks, cornerback Mike McKenzie and tight end Eric Johnson - will miss the first few days of practice because of injury.
Bullocks and McKenzie are on the physically unable to perform list. Payton said they could come off the list in a few days. Payton said Johnson will be out longer.
Cornerback Jerametrius Butler did not report. Payton said he decided to retire.
Payton said star running back Deuce McAllister came to camp at 227 pounds, a light weight for the former Ole Miss star coming off of two knee surgeries. He did not take part in the conditioning tests but Payton said he will take part in camp activities.
McAllister said he met with his surgeon, Dr. James Andrews on Monday and that he was cleared to go.
"I don't know if it will be two-a-days right from the beginning ... But I feel good about my health."
McAllister said this is not a day he's been eagerly anticipating.
"This is just another step. This isn't the big day."
Newly acquired tight end Jeremy Shockey will be listed as limited but soon will be at full speed, Payton said. Shockey missed the end of last season with the Giants after suffering a broken leg.
Loomis said the Shockey trade was the result of lengthy talks, starting before April's draft. Loomis said he made a call to the Giants earlier this week to let them know the Saints were still interested and a deal was made.
Earlier Wednesday, the Saints announced that fifth-round draft pick Carl Nicks signed a three-year contract. That leaves first-round pick Sedrick Ellis of USC and second-round pick Tracy Porter as the only unsigned drafted players.
Loomis said right now he expects a lengthy holdout from Ellis and Porter because no deals are getting done around them.
Payton also said he doesn't expect defensive end Charles Grant to be distracted by his legal situation in Georgia. Grant has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and has an arraignment date set for Aug. 15 in Early County, Ga.
As far as camp battles, Payton said he expects cornerback and wide receiver to be tough competitions. But he said at every position - except for quarterback - there will be tough competition for playing time.
Saints owner Tom Benson and his wife Gayle were in attendance at the opening press conference.
