The Saints agreed to a three-year contract extension today with WR Marques Colston. Terms of the deal are not yet available.
This deal just absolutely had to get done. Colston has become an elite receiver in this league very quickly and is deserving of whatever is given to him. With this deal the Saints offseason is almost a complete success. They have extended two key players (Colston and DE Will Smith), acquired some key defensive players (Randall Gay, Jonathan Vilma, Bobby McCray, and Aaron Glenn), added a tight end (Jeremy Shockey), and drafted defense (Sedrick Ellis and Tracy Porter).
The one move [...]

Jonathan Vilma and Jeremy Shockey have a ton in common besides both being traded to the Saints this offseason. Both were drafted out of the University of Miami. Both were drafted by teams in New York in the first round (Shockey in 2002 by the Giants, Vilma in 2004 by the Jets). Both made immediate impacts for their team, Shockey making the Pro Bowl in his first season and Vilma winning the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Shockey made four Pro Bowl appearances in his first five seasons (2002,2003,2005,2006) and Vilma made his first appearance in 2005. Both [...]

Here are some quotes on from various people on the Shockey trade:
“I am excited to join the Saints as they have expressed interest in me,” Shockey said in a statement released by the Saints. “I have had a relationship with Coach Payton and I appreciate what he has done as a head coach. The Saints have a lot of weapons starting with Drew Brees, and I look forward to joining my teammates at training camp. This will be a fun year.” NOLA.com
“He’s an impact player and has been a key part of every offense he has played for – both [...]

After months of rumors and speculation, Sean Payton finally got his tight end. The Saints finalized a deal with the Giants to bring in TE Jeremy Shockey. The trade costs the Saints a second- and a fifth-round pick in the 2009 draft.
I’m not too high on Shockey as many people are. Yes, he is a great talent and shows unparalleled passion. His emotions get to the best of him, however. He often shows up his quarterback. He also drops more passes than you’d like to see from your tight end. The fact the Giants just flat out took off without [...]

All of the practices are at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. All Practices at Millsaps College are Open to the Public and pactice times can be changed at anytime. For the latest updates go to www.neworleanssaints.com.
***ALL MILLSAPS PRACTICES; FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC***
Thursday, July 24: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.
Friday, July 25: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.
Saturday, July 26: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.
Sunday, July 27: 8:50-10:30 a.m. (walk-thru); 3:40-6 p.m.
Monday, July 28: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.
Tuesday, July 29: 8:50-10:30 a.m.; 3:40-6 p.m.
Wednesday July 30: 8:50-10:30 a.m. (walk-thru); 3:40-6:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 31: 8:50-10:30 a.m.; [...]

ProFootballTalk.com had an interesting take on the contract negotiations between the team and WR Marques Colston.  Talks are in the preliminary stages in Colston’s situation, as well as the negotiations for OG Jahri Evans. PFT took a look at the future if a deal doesn’t get done this season with Colston.

A holdout by Colston is unlikely, but he clearly deserves a raise.  When and if he’ll get one remains to be seen.
They’d better move soon, or another team might be willing to give up a first-round pick and a third-round pick in order to pilfer him from the Saints next [...]