The Sun Herald reports New Orleans Saints WR Marques Colston's absence from the final week of organized team activities shows Colston means business in wanting a new contract. The quiet wide receiver made his quiet protest right on the cusp of DE Will Smith's new deal. Smith pulled the same maneuver and got paid. Colston's looking for the same result. The approach probably isn't a coincidence as Joel Segal represents both players. Colston, who caught a single-season team-record 98 passes in 2007, will make $445,000 in base salary this year and become a restricted free agent after the season.

Colston is in his contract year and Smith's extension did open the door.

he deserves more

Agreed. However the Saints have a ton of wr's that have produced for them. They are almost becoming a "system" where the towel boy could suit up and catch 50 passes. I wonder if they're willing to let him walk knowing they can replace his production with others at the same cost?

The Saints should take every penny they should have had to pay Colston during his first two seasons, minus of course the 9 dollars they paid him.

A very special player and a fan favorite.

They have a ton of WR's that have produced?

No. Not even.

If they want to stay a competitive team long term, and be smart with the salary cap, they call his bluff and make him play or sit this year.

Or then again, do they throw money at him at the hope of the salary cap being gone by 2010?

If I were Colston, I would tread lightly on this issue. Saints have several receivers in the fold that could easily surplant him...Meachem, Arrington, Lance Moore...I agree he should be paid more than what he is currently receiving, but he should be careful.

Even if he decides to sit this year, he would still be the property of the Saints...also, he is a restricted free agent come 2009.

Wow!

Not only is Colston a different type of receiver, he's proved himself.

Maybe, just maybe Meachem won't be a bust.

I don't understand where all this love for the "other" Saints WR's is coming from.

Colston is a special player. Sure, like most top WRs he runs tight routes, and he makes all the timing and hands catches, but he can also score when the team hits the redzone and he catches the ball 2-5 yards out of the endzone. He is so strong he can run over defenders to paydirt. This strength also tacks on YAC elsewhehere on the field.

70 catches 8 TDs year one
98 catchers 11 TDs year two

Now in year three? You kidding me?

I bet he duplicates last season's numbers.