Mike Triplett, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Saints' Drew Brees expects Marques Colston to stay

METAIRIE, La. -- The future of longtime New Orleans Saints receiver Marques Colston seems uncertain because of his declining production and rising salary (he's due $7 million in salary and bonuses next year).

Chances are, the Saints' all-time leading receiver will have to agree to a pay cut to return for a 10th season -- which is possible, since we've seen a lot of New Orleans' veterans do the same in recent years.

But we've also seen a lot of tough departures in recent years.

When asked about the premise on Wednesday, Saints quarterback Drew Brees said he expects his longtime go-to guy to remain in New Orleans next year and beyond. But he didn't pass up on the chance to sing his praises.

"First of all, I think he's gonna be here for a long time," Brees said. "But just as I talk about him as a player, as a person, as a teammate and all those things, he's everything you would want. Everything you would want. And I've been lucky to have him for nine years, and I'm gonna be lucky to have him for a few more.

"I mean he's a mainstay. There's not any person who I've ever played with who has been more steady, more consistent in every way. He's the consummate teammate."

Colston, who typically declines to talk to the media, is expected to speak at some point this week.

Another Saints player whose future is in doubt, running back Mark Ingram, declined to get too deep into the subject matter on Wednesday. Ingram will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

"I'm just really trying to finish out the season strong and address that after the last game and the offseason," said Ingram, who needs 93 rushing yards Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to reach 1,000 yards for the first time in his career.

"I feel like there's always room for improvement. I could have did some better things better. I think the season has been pretty good if you want to look at it individually, I guess," said Ingram, who was asked if he thinks it was good for him to put on tape how he could handle the role of a leading back. "I think that's a good thing, just seeing that I can carry the ball and that I can be out there doing whatever you ask me to do for a stretch of time and be healthy."

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