Chesney hits right notes with Saints
Country singer works out with team to delight of players

Saturday, August 18, 2007 By John DeShazier
CINCINNATI -- Saints Coach Sean Payton announced that, regretfully, negotiations between the Saints and country music star Kenny Chesney, an "aspiring" receiver and special teamer, collapsed during Friday's practice.

"The bad new is this, and really it's in the last half-hour or so," Payton said after practice, tongue firmly in cheek. "I think these contract negotiations have gone south a little bit. Every once in a while you hope you're close; we're not even on the same radar financially.

"What we're looking for -- obviously, you saw him as a punt returner, (he has) all the attributes of a guy that can make a difference. But I know this, he can't take the paycut, and we can't afford him."

I'm pretty secure in my job as punt returner, I think," Chesney said. "But I'm a little slow at wide receiver. But we just can't come to terms financially. The owner of the Saints didn't want to negotiate his boat or anything. We may revisit this again. It might be a yearly, ongoing negotiation."

For the record, Payton and Chesney have been friends for several years, and with Chesney in Cincinnati performing Thursday night, the duo figured that Friday would be a good time for a visit. Chesney donned cleats and shorts and was allowed to participate in drills with the team.

He caught four balls from quarterbacks during individual drills, dropped a pass from Drew Brees during a team drill (the ball was a tad behind) and ran a reverse, taking the pitch from Reggie Bush. He also successfully fielded a punt, the caveat being that practice immediately would end if he did.

"Reggie Bush said, 'I like country music,' after he caught that punt," Payton said.

It didn't take that for punter Steve Weatherford, who shared his jersey number, 7, with Chesney.

"I'm from Indiana, I'm a huge country fan," said Weatherford, who was born in Crown Point, Ind. "Obviously, if you like country at all, you've got to like Ken. Great singer, a great guy. We sat over there and talked a little bit because I don't do much during practice; I hang around a lot. He was really cool.

"When I found out he was going to be here (Thursday night), I had a little trouble sleeping. It was really cool. He's everything I thought he was going to be."

Weatherford even made a small concession when it came to the jersey. He pulled off his and didn't wear it for much of the workout.

"I didn't want him to have to be the number 7B, because we all know I'm 7A," Weatherford said. "I didn't want him to have to be a backup. I get a little TV time with 7 (on Saturday), so I thought it'd be a nice thing to do."

Did he get a little something as an inducement?

"No comment on that," Weatherford said. "That's not available. I talked to his tour manager about that, and we've come to an agreement."