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Payton said he phoned Anderson after recently running into linebacker Akin Ayodele at a restaurant and also called about whether he could play in the Saints Hall of Fame golf outing in May. He was given the OK to take part in that as well.
Payton said he'll watch the NFL draft closely, albeit on TV, likely while sitting at home like a fan. He said there were no "24-hour meetings" in his final days of work and that he simply reminded his experienced staff to do their jobs as they have during the past few seasons, which had included three straight playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title.
"This team is weatherproof," Payton said in an apparent allusion to the uplifting role the club played in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. "It was built with the right type of players and right type of coaching staff, from the front office and ownership on down to handle the challenges ahead. We've handled them before. We'll handle this one."
Payton was gracious whenever he was approached by fans and signed autographs, including one on a woman's "Free Payton" shirt.
"It's humbling. It's overwhelming," Payton said. "We've got the greatest fans in sport. ... There's that bond that's been uniquely formed. It certainly started long before we ever arrived, but it's gotten stronger since Katrina and the Super Bowl and so there's a close relationship."
Payton said he suspects there will be moments this fall when he's watching the Saints and struggles with the fact that he cannot be with the club, but said those feelings won't overwhelm him because of the enjoyment he'll get from being with Connor and teenage daughter Meghan.
"Often times with what we do, the time we get to spend with our children is limited," Payton said. "So I'm looking forward to taking advantage of that."
[Associated Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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