What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

Suddenly, the New Orleans Saints are under the salary cap after Wednesday’s dramatic decision to part ways with four of their all-time great defensive veterans at once.

It’s possible now that they won’t have to release any more of their current players. But they aren’t done yet with the financial finagling.

Wednesday’s moves haven’t been processed yet, so we don’t have a specific update on the Saints’ salary-cap figure. But they will likely be somewhere between $1 and $5 million under the cap, depending on some accounting factors.

The Saints will still need to carve out at least another $10 million to make room for free-agent signings -- including tight end Jimmy Graham, whose franchise tag will be worth at least $6.5 million if they don’t agree to a long-term contract by March 11.

They’ll need to carve out even more than that if they want to re-sign free-agent starters like Zach Strief, Brian de la Puente and Malcolm Jenkins, or if they want to add some starting-caliber free agents from other teams.

The Saints could accomplish most of that by simply restructuring the contracts of several current players (something they have done often in recent years to manage the cap). It’s a win-win for the players and the team, since the player’s salary gets converted into a signing bonus, while some of the cap costs get pushed back into future years.

If the Saints do decide to make more roster cuts, candidates could include defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley (due $4.5 million in salary and bonuses this year), cornerback Patrick Robinson (due $1.36 million), receiver Lance Moore (due $3.8 million) and running back Pierre Thomas (due $2.9 million). Or it’s possible they could approach some of those players about accepting pay cuts or working out more cap-friendly extensions to stay in New Orleans.

None of those players is an obvious casualty. Thomas, especially, may have just had his best season to date in 2013. And Moore and Bunkley are still playing at a high level. But all three of them played part-time roles last season with younger players at their positions, so it’s natural to wonder how the Saints will value them compared to their salaries.

Robinson, meanwhile, is still young with the potential to get his career back on track. But he’s more of a question mark after missing all of last season with a knee injury.

Whats next for New Orleans Saints this offseason? - ESPN

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

Huge difference between 1 and 5 million. I don't like it but I could see it being best for the team if we cut Moore and Ingram.

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

Agree with Moore but Ingram?

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

Sproles is the one that needs his contract looked at out of the RBs. He didnt seem to have the burst of pace last year and injuries may be starting to add up. Id consider trading him for the right pick as it frees up cap space and allows a replacement brought in on the cheap

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

Jimmy Graham, whose franchise tag will be worth at least $6.5 million

it looking like that tag number will be higher. if the counts hold up Jimmy lined up outside more than 60% of his plays in a WR position

If so

say hello to my little friend

a $10 million + tag

so FA? my wish list is dropping quickly. The only way i see anything working out at this point is through the draft. saints need picks to help mickey with the cap

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

Ingram, Robinson and PT could handle the run game. Cadet could get upgraded I really haven't seen a spark out of that guy. I also would trade Sproles right now and bring in another RB. that you could get with a pick, no use speding more money for 1.

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

1) Cadet has not panned out so i put my underdog on the block

2) Ingram sure keep him but if a trade offer comes in i would be hard press not to pull the trigger

3) Robinson i see hope in. He could be Ingrams death card. But i am tempering it. I need to see him develop more as a complete back before i give the RB duties all to him as the the lead guy.

4) PT and Sproils are drews wobbie blanket in the RB rotation. 5 to 1 thats drew call if they go or not. PT is the best blocker of the group. Sproils draw attention because of that "he could burn you" rep he has


If the saints roll the dice on Robinson i can easily see Ingram packaged and moved on.

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

I see K Robinson as a bright spark as well, something is missing with Ingram can't quite figure it out. And Travaris Cadet maybe needs a change in scenery.

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

Why get rid of Cadet? He plays numerous roles and his salary is just about NFL minimum.

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

Whats next for the saints this offseason? Hundreds of old bounty scandal reports about to resurface due to no news

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

I think he has hit his wall and isn't developing any further. His return game is average at best. He is a big question mark in my mind. I know his price is good, but is his value?

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

What do y'all base this on? PT and sproles stayed healthy so he didn't even get a chance to show anything.

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

Ingram isn't going anywhere.

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

I still see no reason for people to be even remotely so high on Ingram. The guy has 3, that's right, count em, 3 decent games in 3 years, and only 2 of those games were for 100 yards. Incredible! I hope we've played him enough to get some offers from other teams, so we can get a good player.

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

Bingo!! Just like Ivory, I hope we can get something for him. We could use a late round pick on a corner or a tackle. That'll help Mickey with the cap space.

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

I would be very happy with Thomas, Sproles, Robinson and Cadet as the RB group. If we can get a 3+ for Ingram we do it.

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/i...czNWoOp-L6T7N2

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

Whether its Ingram or any of the RB's we have on the current roster, our O line has got to get stronger and nastier. You simply can't put all of the blame on Mark.

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

i agree but till the saints make the improvement on OL i just can not see him working out here. it is not his fault

injury bug has hurt the kid also,

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

Which of our players has an above average return game?

Cadet
2012 25th in the league in yards/return (Sproles 83rd)
2013 27th in the league in yards/return (Sproles 26th)

A grand total of 7 career receptions and 1 rushing attempt... and off of that he has hit his wall?

What body of work are you looking at?

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

But all three of those good games were this season, so I don't know why you are stretching it out to "3 good games in 3 years"..

The 2013 version of Ingram was a different player than the Ingram we saw in 2011 and 2012. There's good reason to be optimistic of Ingram's future, imo.

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

Just the things you mentioned. Nothing he does is outstanding from my view point. I just am not impressed......well, not as impressed as when he first came to the team. I guess I've lost that loving feeling.
However, I would much rather keep Cadet and trade Sproles and Ingram if possible. Ingram had three good games. PT had a great year when he was in the game. I love everything he brings to the table. But Robinson excites me.

Re: What’s next for Saints this offseason?
 

The only certainty is that there will be some major changes this off season. There will be some cuts restructuring and I think that we will make a move on aFA.If we could pick up a young up trending OL player similar to the type of player K.Lewis was last year that is the typical FO move we make . I don't think we make any splash moves ,but you can't ever tell. Realistically about half of rookies picks in the first rd start. The Saints have repeatedly used FA TO FILL holes and drafted with an eye toward the future. CB and OL are my major concerns ,adding a WR is a close second. Star power for the D is something that has been missed for awhile a stud player at any spot on the D would be most welcome preferably at pass rusher or a playmaker in the secondary. Luke Kuchley makes Carolina a much better D . We need a player that plays at an elite level on D. There's players with promise but we need a gamechanger.