<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Brees, Shockey work overtime July 24, 2008 8:27 PM Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas JACKSON, Miss. -- Just came back from the Saints' afternoon practice and there was an interesting little scene at the end. Quarterback Drew Brees stayed out for an extra 10 or 15 minutes to throw to newly-acquired tight end Jeremy Shockey, who's being limited in team drills. The pair also did the same thing after the morning session. A lot was made of Shockey's supposed selfishness in New York and maybe it was well deserved. Maybe the games of catch with Brees are just Shockey's way of lobbying for passes to be thrown his way. Or maybe Shockey's making a conscious effort to be a good teammate and get off on the right foot. Shockey talked about the trade that brought him to New Orleans in this interview. New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees, Jeremy Shockey Read comments or leave a comment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another Colston for New Orleans? July 24, 2008 3:29 PM Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas JACKSON, Miss. -- It was only one catch, but it was enough to make you wonder if the Saints have tapped the secret to drafting wide receivers in the seventh round. Adrian Arrington, New Orleans' final pick in this year's draft, made a spectacular catch in Thursday morning's session. Despite decent coverage by Greg Fassitt, Arrington made an over-the-shoulder, diving catch of a deep pass from Tyler Palko. A Michigan product, Arrington brought back memories (at least for a moment) of 2006 when seventh-round pick Marques Colston was the surprise of camp. Colston quickly became the team's top receiver. Lightning striking twice in the seventh round at the same position might be too much to expect, but Arrington could be a factor in the receiving corps this season. Veteran David Patten is the safe choice, but the Saints are hoping Robert Meachem, a first-round pick last year, can step up and claim a starting job. Meachem wasn't a factor last season, but the Saints believe that was because he fell behind because of a knee injury. At worst, the Saints are hoping Meachem can be the No. 3 receiver. At best, they're hoping he can start. New Orleans Saints, Adrian Arrington, Greg Fassitt, Tyler Palko, Marques Colston, David Patten, Robert Meachem Read comments or leave a comment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shockey ready for fresh start July 24, 2008 2:11 PM Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis New Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey (left) spent extra time with quarterback Drew Brees after morning practice at Millsaps College on Thursday. JACKSON, Miss. -- There's still an offense to learn, but Jeremy Shockey made all the right moves Thursday as the New Orleans Saints opened training camp at Millsaps College. Shockey, acquired earlier this week in a trade with the New York Giants, talked publicly for the first time since the trade after morning practice. The Pro Bowl tight end went out of his way to be nice to his former team. "They won the Super Bowl last year,'' Shockey said. "They really deserved it. I'm going to miss my teammates and my coaches, the owners, everything.'' But Shockey said he's anxious to put New York behind him and is glad a trade, rumored since before the NFL Draft, finally went down. "The last thing I wanted was to go back to the Giants,'' Shockey said. "If I had went back, no matter what, it would have been a circus. The last thing I wanted to do was be a distraction. That's one of the reasons I didn't want to go to the Super Bowl. I wasn't healthy. They did a great job. I didn't want to be a distraction to that team. If I went, I was a distraction. If I didn't go, I was a distraction.'' Shockey said he believes he was portrayed inaccurately by the New York media. "I'm not as wild and rebellious as some say,'' Shockey said. "That's the media. They build you up to knock you down. If you know me, you know me. If not, the rumors fly. You've probably heard it all. I've heard it all. What you see is what you get. I wear my emotion on my sleeve. I'm a true person. I'm not going to be fake or fabricated to anybody.'' Shockey said he's recovered from the broken leg he suffered last season, but the Saints plan to bring him along slowly. Shockey said he'll work to learn the playbook as quickly as possible and spend time getting to know quarterback Drew Brees. "I'm starting from ground zero and working my way up as if I'm trying to make this team,'' Shockey said. New Orleans Saints, Jeremy Shockey, New York Giants, Drew Brees Read comments or leave a comment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saints bring Colston up to speed July 23, 2008 9:21 PM Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas Colston JACKSON, Miss. -- Just got into town on what's been a busy eve of training camp for the Saints. In a crucial move, the Saints agreed to a contract extension with Marques Colston that will keep the wide receiver with the team through 2011. That comes just after New Orleans traded for tight end Jeremy Shockey. That means two very talented players are going to be very happy when practice starts Thursday morning. Colston, a seventh-round pick in 2006, had quickly become one of the league's most underpaid players and Shockey had been unhappy with the New York Giants. Colston had been quietly hoping for a new deal because he was scheduled to make less than $500,000 in base salary this year. But the Saints stepped up and rewarded a player, who quickly has made himself into one of the league's best receivers. In two seasons, Colston has caught 168 passes for 2,240 yards and 19 touchdowns. The Saints are optimistic the arrival of Shockey will draw coverage away from Colston. Shockey and Colston will give quarterback Drew Brees two top-notch targets, but the Saints are hoping Devery Henderson or Robert Meachem can step up and challenge David Patten for the No. 2 wide receiver job. In other news, the Saints are facing likely holdouts by first-round pick Sedrick Ellis and second-round choice Tracy Porter. Coach Sean Payton said running back Deuce McAllister, who is coming back from a knee injury, has been cleared to take part in camp. New Orleans Saints, Marques Colston, contract extension, Jeremy Shockey, Drew Brees, Sean Payton, Deuce McAllister, Sedric Ellis, Tracy Porter Read comments or leave a comment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saints position battles July 23, 2008 11:00 AM Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas Here's a look at two of the biggest position battles in New Orleans' camp: Kaesviharn Bullocks Free safety: Kevin Kaesviharn vs. Josh Bullocks. This is not a position of strength for the Saints, who upgraded their defensive line by drafting Sedrick Ellis and their linebacker corps by bringing in Jonathan Vilma. With an improved front seven, there's the chance for the starting free safety to be a playmaker. Bullocks started most of last year, but he was beaten in coverage at times and never has played consistently well. Bullocks also is coming off knee surgery and that could open the door for Kaesviharn. At least at the start of camp, Kaesviharn is expected to get the work with the first team. Unless he really struggles or Bullocks has an outstanding camp, Kaesviharn probably will open the season as the starter. Intensity index: Mild Running back: Deuce McAllister vs. Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas Jim O'Connor/US PRESSWIRE If his knee can't hold up, Saints RB Deuce McAllister will be in a battle for the starting job. McAllister is coming back from his second major knee injury and he's not getting any younger. But he showed the ability to make it back from serious injury before and he's been the most dependable back in the NFC South this decade. The Saints may bring him along slowly in camp, but, if he's healthy, he'll probably be the opening-day starter. Bush has yet to show signs he can be an every-down back, although he'll play a big role as a situational player. Thomas showed some promise, averaging 4.8 yards a carry last season, but he's not a real threat to a healthy McAllister. Intensity index: Hot position battles, New Orleans Saints, Kevin Kaesviharn, Josh Bullocks, Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas Read comments or leave a comment</div> http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcsouth
