TheOak

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

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