The first news of the day is that the Saints have travelled to Cincinnati, where they practiced with the Bengals today and will play them on Saturday. When the Saints return to the Dirty South, they will be returning to New Orleans, as opposed to Jackson. After several weeks of being sequestered at training camp, the Saints will return home to finish the preseason at their practice facility on Airline Hwy. Based on the team's successes from last season and the fact that the team pumped lots of money into the Millsaps campus, expect the Saints to spend their training camps in Jackson, at least for the foreseeable future. And if last season's success is any indicator, that's probably a good decision, despite my playful ribbing of the Jackson metropolitan area (Nissan plant, whoo)!
The other big news of the day was the announcement of a new addition to the wide receiver depth chart. The Saints threw an undrafted free agent into the mix, presumably to replace Devery Henderson, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. The name of Drew Brees' new target: Kenny Chesney.
Wait, who?
Kenny Chesney? Really?
Dammit, first David Beckham, now this no talent assclown guy? Seriously?
Alright ....
Chick Ludwick, of the Dayton Daily News, explains:
The 5-foot-6 Chesney, who played wide receiver in high school as a youth in Tennessee, will take instruction from the coaching staff and Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
Payton and Chesney have been friends for several years, supporting each other's pursuits.
The Saints head coach frequents Chesney's [sic] concerts when they come to town. Chesney has always been a big football fan and is both excited and impressed about the heights his friend has helped guide the Saints to new heights.
Even though rumors connect Chesney to another Peyton, one who must be disappointed to see his favorite receiver catching elsewhere, it is Sean Payton who impels Chesney's return to football.
Deadpanned the coach:
I have been a big fan of Kenny and his music. We have know each other for several years and both of us have a great respect and interest for what the other does. It is going to be a lot of fun to have him out there and to be able to evaluate his abilities, get him a few balls and see how he fits in with our offense.
He also mentioned that Chesney would play most of the second half on Saturday.*
*This may be a lie.