That's one way to keep pushing the cap each year.

$ = must equal value.

Even if you're doing well at your position, if you're not performing at a level that justifies your salary, you get released (or traded in Sproles case). That maximizes the talent under the cap.

Sproles and Moore are examples of performing well, but not well enough to justify the compensation based on market value.

Bunkley's salary was recently adjusted to reflect his market value base on his performance.

This is the reason I would like to see the Saints take an inside linebacker in the first or second round of the draft. Both Lofton and Hawthorne are being paid more than what their performance justifies. This season both need to prove they are worth the money they're making. If one or both still underperform, having a talented ILB waiting on the sidelines would give the Saints leverage in negotiating a new salary for both of them.