FinSaint

That would probably cut it... pardon the pun.

Cutting Smith would cost $6.8M prorated over 2013 and 2014.

Cutting Vilma would cost $2.6M prorated for 2013.

Cutting Harper would cost $3.5M prorated over 2013 and 2014.


So, there are savings to be made there, especially when considering Smith's cap hits.

Other savings could come from cutting someone like Herring ($1.6M) and restructuring someone like Moore's contract, while potentially adding one more year to the contract to decrease the base salary hikes. Jenkins is another potential restructure/contract extension if the team feels that he has something worthwhile to offer to the team going forward, which I think they do - cutting Jenkins now would bring in cap savings of little under $2.5M, but those same cap savings could be produced by a restructure/contract extension.

Another noteworthy thing is that there haven't been any contract negotiations - at least any that have been leaked to the media - between the Saints and Casillas, so it would seem that he won't be back next season.


Looking at the Saints cap hits at the moment, it isn't as gloomy as some might think. The positive thing that can be taken away from the current situation is that if Smith's and Ellis' contracts are taken off the board - the top 5 cap hits belong to the right people: Brees, Evans, Colston, Grubbs, and Lofton.

"I'm not bashing people, I'm bashing their opinions because in my opinion their opinion is wrong" - Danno

TheOak

That assumption is incorrect.

Dead Money - Prorated bonus comes to meet you as soon as you cut someone... That year.


Will Smiths dead money hits you this year if you cut him.
Will Smith Contract, Salaries, and Transactions
Vilma
Jonathan Vilma Contract, Salaries, and Transactions


Example on Drew Brees:
if we cut him this year 29.6M comes to meet us.
Drew Brees Contract, Salaries, and Transactions


The proratian only fulfills its destiny if the player plays out his contract or it is restructured.

Danno

Thats not what I've been reading. If the player has at least 2 years left, you can spread that accellerated bonus money over two seasons.