"Jeremy has recently indicated to us that he will be rehiring us in the immediate future," said Rosenhaus via email.

The significance of the move is unclear. Shockey declined to elaborate, calling it a private matter.

Technically, Shockey doesn't need an agent any time soon, since he's under contract through 2011.

There have been some unconfirmed reports this offseason that Shockey has been angling for a new contract, but indications out of Saints camp and from team sources are that Shockey is content in New Orleans and is motivated to bounce back from an injury-plagued season.

Shockey, 28, was pushing for a new deal or a trade with the Giants before he was shipped to the Saints last summer in exchange for second- and fifth-round picks in this weekend's draft.

But the Saints had no intention of altering his contract when they made that deal.

His reasonable long-term contract was one of the things that made acquiring him attractive.

Shockey is set to earn $3.525 million in salary and bonuses this year, $4.325 million next year and $5 million in 2011.

He was as disappointed as anyone with his debut season in New Orleans. He suffered a sports hernia in training camp and never fully recovered.

Shockey caught 50 passes for 483 yards and no touchdowns in 12 games.

He said after the season that he planned to spend more time at the Saints' practice facility this offseason than he did in his first six seasons with the Giants, so he could spend more time with quarterback Drew Brees and get more comfortable with the Saints' offense.

Shockey has been involved in the Saints' offseason workout program, which began late last month.

The first on-field practice activities don't begin until mid-May.

. . . . . . .

Mike Triplett can be reached at mtriplett@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3405.