Will Smith & Jonathan Vilma could potentially be released
 

The scary thing about how bad the Saints' defense has been the last two years is the looming fear that it's two most vocal leaders and players of most value, Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma, could be gone. It's not being talked about because Drew Brees' contract is completely consuming the media/fans and rightfully so. But the Saints are going to be tight up against the cap once Brees is re-signed and the Saints attempt to retain both Carl Nicks and Marques Colston. It seems most people out there are slowly coming to terms with the idea that one of two, between Nicks and Colston, could easily not return to the Saints. If the Saints have any shot of keeping all three though (Brees/Nicks/Colston) it's going to take money to pull it off. Even if one leaves, revamping the roster will come at a cost and the money that would be freed up by releasing both Smith and Vilma is substantial. The other and perhaps more palatable option is whether the Saints can restructure their two contracts to free up space, which would keep them in New Orleans. Lastly, they could just keep paying the two vets' contracts, but I have to

Saints Nation: Could Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma be Released?

Good read!!!

Not only are they fantastic football players when their bodies are right, they're also captains and they've created the soul and fabric of the locker room. Missing those two personalities on the roster would be as difficult as it is stupid. But, at the end of the day, the NFL is a business.





Could be released, and maybe resign ?

i think they restructure. At this point in their careers they are not going to get more anywhere else.

If Vilma does go then Dunbar could step in and take the MLB spot, the only thing that would be missing would be Vilma's leadership and that's key, however I haven't seen it work very well for the past two years ( GW's fault?)

Personally, I'm not sold on Dunbar yet. For some reason he reminds me of Usama Young.jmho

there's rebuilding, and there's stupidity
our defense is better with Vilma on the field, period

Smith is good, but not $8 million good

It would not hurt my feelings if both left, their leadership not only comes from the locker room but also on the field of play, their field of play is where I have the problem with, for 2 years I've watched Vilma decline and Smith has lost a step the difference between a great DE and Smith is 1 step, I don't think he has it in him anymore. We can replace them, it would not be the end of the world.

I think we're going to see some surprises this offseason and a lot more players replaced than what we're thinking right now. As for myself, I could see moving Jenkins to SS, Quddus to FS, trading Harper and drafting another S. I could also see us trading Will Smith as he is under contract as well as trading Vilma if either or both refuse to re-negotiate. I could also see Sed Ellis replaced as well as shanle, Cassillias and Dunbar. I think there's gonna be a lot of shake up to come.

How many times does someone have to tell you that trading Harper is a 17 MILLION CAP HIT?

Do you freaking honestly think they'll give up 17 million in 2012 cap space just to get rid of Harper in lieu of keeping him ?

Freaking REALLY DUDE? :bang:

2012 CAP RAMIFICATIONS...
KEEP HARPER = 3.6 MILLION
TRADE HARPER = 17 MILLION

Do you just not understand what the salary cap is all about?