Despite microfracture surgery on his right knee this spring, which followed an earlier procedure to correct a wrist problem, word is that New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston is working out twice a day and demonstrating no ill effects from the often tricky the operation. The twice-daily workouts apparently include days on which the Saints do not convene for their unsupervised practices.

A recovery is key for Colston, who will be entering the final year of his contract in 2011, provided there is a season, at a base salary of $3 million. Going into his sixth season, Colston will be an unrestricted free agent next spring, as long as there is any kind of season that allows games to be played.

Although Colston posted the worst yards-per-catch average of his career (12.2 yards), he still had 84 receptions for 1,023 yards and seven touchdowns. In five years, Colston, who turns 28 next month, has averaged 73.8 catches, 1,019.4 yards, and 8.0 scores. He also had microfracture surgery last spring, on his left, knee, and nonetheless appeared in 15 games in 2010, with 11 starts.

--Len Pasquarelli

Quarterback Drew Brees continues to lead offseason workouts, and close to 40 players have been attending this week at the Tulane practice fields.

Said tackle Jon Stinchcomb, "This is an opportunity for us to get quality work and continue to build the camaraderie and accountability that it takes to be champions. This is the time of year where everybody's putting in work. But we see this as a unique opportunity for us to be able to improve as a unit and not just individually.

"This is for us. It's not for show, it's not for looking good for the fans or management. We want to make progress. We want to motivate each other. The guys can really push each other."

Brees said working together is key. He said, "We would all be working out somewhere anyway, so why not do it together? I feel like this is putting us way ahead of other teams by having it so organized."

Of course, he also realizes why some players don't attend. He said, "I don't blame them if they're not here. We have no injury protection (as we would) if we were at the facility. You take a risk by being here."

Finally linebacker Jonathan Vilma sent a tweet about the workouts. He wrote, "Heading back to workouts wit my boys!! I dnt care wat they say, we're playing fball this yr!"

Brees arranged with Tulane athletics director Rick Dickson to use the video rooms and brought in his personal trainer Todd Durkin to travel from California. Brees joked that his wife Brittany was helping as the "team mom" bringing drinks and snacks for after the workout.

Most notably, Brees is paying whatever is necessary, including hotels for some of the younger players.

Asked how much it might cost, Brees said, "Who knows. We'll see. But it's worth it."

Said Stinchcomb. "When you have a leader like that on your team, it makes it easy for guys to rally around and understand what's available to us."

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