Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints are expected to make roster cuts soon with Will Smith told he will be released, according to a league source, and Roman Harper appearing to be another casualty based on a tweet Wednesday evening.

The Saints will need to make several moves to get under the salary cap by March 11. They're projected to be around $13 million to $15 million over the cap, and they'll need even more space to re-sign or use the franchise tag on free agent tight end Jimmy Graham.

Harper tweeted a farewell to New Orleans on Wednesday, hinting that he will be released by the Saints.


The moves with Smith, 32, and Harper, 31, are expected because of their diminishing roles and large salaries. But they'll still be difficult ones for the Saints to make. Both are former Pro Bowlers and longtime leaders who have been around since the beginning of the most successful era in franchise history.

Smith, who arrived as a first-round draft pick in 2004, is the longest-tenured player on the Saints' roster. But he missed all of last season with a knee injury, and he is due to earn $11.55 million in the final year of his contract this year. Harper, who is signed through 2015, is due to earn $3.15 million this year.

The Saints can save all of that money against the cap, if they designate Harper as a post-June 1 release. The Saints would still be charged a pro-rated portion of their signing bonuses against the salary cap ($2.39 million for Smith and $2.72 million for Harper).

Smith and Harper are two of only 13 players remaining from the Saints' Super Bowl roster. But it's possible that the Saints could part ways with up to nine of those players this offseason. Linebacker Jonathan Vilma, safety Malcolm Jenkins, offensive tackle Zach Strief and receiver Robert Meachem are unrestricted free agents. And cornerback Jabari Greer, receiver Lance Moore and running back Pierre Thomas are potential salary-cap casualties.

Smith ranks fourth in Saints history with 67.5 career sacks. He had a career-high 13 of them during the Saints' 2009 Super Bowl season. And he had 10.5 of them during his Pro Bowl season in 2006. Before he tore his ACL last summer, Smith had only missed five games in his first nine seasons.

Harper, a second-round draft pick in 2006, started 104 games, with 17 sacks, 14 forced fumbles and seven interceptions. He made the Pro Bowl in 2009 and 2010.

New Orleans Saints to cut Will Smith, Roman Harper - ESPN

New Orleans Saints part ways with Jabari Greer, Roman Harper, Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/13/y4e9yqa5.jpg

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

Roman Harper announced it on his Facebook page
To the city of New Orleans and it's fans .... THANK YOU for the 8 years of ‪#‎GreatMemories‬ ‪#‎WHODAT‬ ‪#‎SBXLIVCHAMPS‬

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

Smith , Greer, harper, and vilma cut

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

Necessary moves. This is what it's like having a smart GM.

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

Greer? That's a surprise.

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

Hes getting a little old might be hard for him to get back to speed with that injury

First casualties...Greer, Harper, Smith & Vilma
 

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

Don't like the greer cut.. Dont care what people think.. I loved the dude.. i would have cut Vilma over greer

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

Don't think he will ever be the same after injury. They did him a favor so he would have time to heal and catch on elsewhere.

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

But it wassnt one over the other, they were both cut. We need alot of cutting and restructuring to afford graham and get some free agents in here

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

Ok vilma is gone as well just seen that.. We just get younger and cheaper now im fine with it

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

Nobody said we can't resign Greer for less later on if nobody else signs him and he bounces back from the torn ACL. It just made no sense to keep him at his cap number right now.

Re: First casualties...Greer, Harper, Smith & Vilma
 

Good ****. Good ****.

Re: First casualties...Greer, Harper, Smith & Vilma
 

Feels good to have such a great GM!

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

so how much cap space does these moves give us?

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

I believe that clears up around $16 million. Just like that we're under the salary cap!

Re: First casualties...Greer, Harper, Smith & Vilma
 

We all knew this was coming

Re: First casualties...Greer, Harper, Smith & Vilma
 

There's some of Jimmy's money......

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

Thats before anymore moves!! Loomis never ceases to amaze me!!

Re: First casualties...Greer, Harper, Smith & Vilma
 

Probably RT, OC money also. Still more to come I'm sure

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

Greer was too expensive to be a nickel corner. It was a necessary move.

Exactly.

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

This is great news, just get rid of Jenkins now

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

Hate to see Harper, Greer, and Vilma go all are class acts and good people. I hope we can get Grimes or Verner to help Lewis out and sign Jimmy as a TE for starters.

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

So, if they are cut by us today, when is the date we can resign... June 1 or later?

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

I hope this a strategy to sign him back at cap friendly salary (Greer). Greer is too great to lose

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

We have no idea how or even if he will ever recover. Smart move. They will keep an eye on his rehab and see what he's worth.

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

Lets them test the market and be available in case they want to come back.

An early cut is only fair and I don't expect less from this organization

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

Tom Benson, Mickey Loomis, and Sean Payton had this to say today regarding the cuts:

“I would like to thank Jabari, Roman, Will and Jonathan for their contributions on and off the field for the New Orleans Saints over the past several years,” said Saints Owner/Chairman of the Board Tom Benson. “All four of them played important roles in the success of our club and were great players and teammates. In addition, all of them made a significant impact in our community, especially with our youth and helping serve the less fortunate. On behalf of our organization and our fans, we appreciate everything that they have done for us and wish them continued success.”

“These were not easy decisions to make,” said Loomis. “Since we acquired them, Jabari, Roman, Will and Jonathan have all been excellent players on the field for us. Each of them were integral parts in turning this program around and winning a Super Bowl. They were a great example to our players as team leaders in the locker room as well. Will and Roman were two of the better draft picks we have made. Jonathan Vilma has been one of our best trades ever and Jabari Greer has been one of our best free agent signings. These are the kinds of players and people you hope to acquire. However, a new NFL year is about to begin and, with the start of free agency in March, these difficult moves allow us to position our team under the salary cap to move forward for 2014.”

“I have coached and been around a lot of great players and I put these four guys right there at the top,” said Saints Head Coach Sean Payton. “Jabari, Roman, Will and Jonathan all represent and epitomize what we look for in our players. These are disciplined, smart, tough and team-oriented individuals. They all played an important role in helping this team and this city win its first Super Bowl and they have all enjoyed multiple playoff appearances and wins.”

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

We could still sign Harper and Greer back at a lot lower prices if they would agree. I wish them all the best of luck.

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

They will bring Greer back if hes available later on, but I cant argue with dumping Smith, Harper, and Vilma, those 3 have been thorns in our sides since 2010 season.

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

I love Jabari Greer, he is the only guy out of this bunch I really hate to see go. I have nothing against Harper and Vilma, they contributed a lot but it was time.

Will Smith, I can't stand. Guy never lived up to his billing. He was fat, slow and took a lot of stupid penalties. He wasn't even that good in the Super Bowl year, he had a lot of sacks but was terribly inconsistent.

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

Jack, you're being hard on Smith.

The guy was above average and healthy throughout his career. Charles Grant, however, was a waste of space.

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

Surprised we cut Greer. Now we really need a CB. Not surprised by the others though.

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

We probably would have done that in some type of restructure instead of an outright release.

I think we're moving on.

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

Vilma is a FA so he can not be cut. He is just gone.

Re: Saints to begin cap-cutting soon (Notifications Given)
 

Yep, but I imagine they informed him that he's no longer in their plans, so its kinda sorta a cut.

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

I think Vilma and Smith were overdue, I do thank them for the good years, they were solid. Harper, I like him and if he can get resigned to a lower pay I wouldn't mind resigning him but if he leaves who will we talk about as much on this board. Greer, I would like him back at a lower rate but alot depends on how he heals if no one is brought back thanks to them also.

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

Statement from Will Smith.


Statement from Will Smith on his release from the New Orleans Saints today:

"While it was always my dream to retire as a member of the New Orleans Saints, I recognize that the NFL remains a business first. I will always be grateful to Mr. Benson, Mr. Loomis, and Coach Payton for the opportunity they gave me to play the sport I love in front of football’s greatest fans, amongst some of my best friends. We accomplished great things during my time with the Saints, including winning the first Super Bowl in franchise history, and I am proud of my contributions during the decade I wore black and gold. My wife Racquel and I will continue our commitment to improving lives for New Orleans' youth no matter where my next stop in professional football takes me. I'm in good spirits, thankful and focused on training. My family and I welcome the next chapter in our NFL life. Who Dat!"

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

I was surprised to see Greer cut. I have respect for all of those guys and love that they were a factor in us getting our first Super Bowl win. They will forever be Saints to me and I hope they continue to have success in whatever they do next. Who Dat!

Re: Saints begin cap cutting(Greer,Harper,Smith,Vilma)
 

Love em and leave em! Got to move forward the League is getting younger and more physical.