JACKSON -- Marques Colston received a three-year contract extension Wednesday and his very own stationary bike to start off New Orleans Saints training camp.
The much wealthier wide receiver sat out Thursday's opening practice after having his left knee drained Wednesday. Colston returned for the afternoon session and fully participated.
"It's something that I feel like is best for me and the training staff feels like it's best for me to ease in and get started on the right foot and setting myself back from Day 1," Colston said.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound receiver had his left knee scoped in February as a precaution and didn't miss any time during the offseason program because of his knee.
He did skip the last week of organized team activities because Colston desired a new contract. Colston hoped his contract negotiations wouldn't become an issue and lead him into a possible holdout situation.
"It would have been an awkward situation," Colston said, had a deal not been made prior to camp.
Tight end Eric Johnson (ankle), cornerback Mike McKenzie (knee) and safety Josh Bullocks (knee) missed both Thursday practices. Defensive tackle Brian Young (knee) sat out the afternoon session.
Tackle Jammal Brown was not at the afternoon practice to attend a funeral. Brown should return tonight, but will miss both sessions today. Jermon Bushrod took the snaps with the first team to replace Brown.
Holdout Day 1 for Ellis, Porter- First-round pick defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and second-round pick cornerback Tracy Porter began training camp at home, as expected, as neither player has yet to sign contracts with the Saints.
"When you're a rookie you're behind the eight-ball already, so any time you're missing reps it's putting you further behind," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "My focus really has been on who is out on the practice field and really not on who isn't.
"We can't control that right now. The sooner those guys can get in the better and the longer they're out, the more difficult it will be. It is what it is and they're behind as it is coming into a new system, so we move forward and keep progressing."
Quotable- "Did play in the Sugar Bowl when I was in college and it wasn't very good for the Gators, on the field and off, and that was on Bourbon Street." - Jeremy Shockey on ever going to Bourbon Street and making reference to the brawl between Miami and Florida leading up to the 2001 Sugar Bowl.
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