Saints 2015 Cuts/Trades/Signings
 

Thought it might be handy to roll all the upcoming changes into one thread.

With talk of cutting/trading some of the bigger contracts i just had a quick look at the costs. As it stands we are 20ml+ over the cap. If we cut the players below we are still 3ml over due to dead money
Junior
Grubbs (june 1st cut)
Bunkley
Hawthorne
Thomas (already gone)
Bush
Lofton (june 1st)

Restructuring Evans and Colston and resigning Cam long term gets the team under and enough to sign most of the rookies but leaves massive holes to fill.

The line would be
Armstead-Kelemente-Lelilto-Evans-Strief

Which isnt great

Front 7

Ebebali-Knox-Franklin-Haralson
--Hicks------Jordan----Jordan

Which is a joke.


And no money without Brees contract being redone that i can see.


Going to be a intetesting few weeks leading up to and including free agency and the draft

Re: Saints 2015 Cuts/Trades/Signings
 

We don't have the money to spend in free agency..........we need to make some significant cuts. Oh yes, cut P Rob now!

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You cant cut players not under contract

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Looks like we're definitely getting rid of Hawthorne:

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Lofton will be cut or traded before June 1st.
Bunkley and Colston restructured/took a pay cut.
Hawthorne is reported to be just about gone.

For the last time; everyone needs to stop thinking we can cut JR. He has 16.2 mil in dead money. He has more dead money then his cap number for the year. There are only two solutions for him; A) He gets traded which saves us 10+ mil or B) He restructures which would be up to him and would save us 10+ mil.

I don't think anyone will trade for JR considering his awful contract, so the only real option is to restructure which will depend on him being willing to do so.

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I know that we cant cut Junior.
I see i didnt explain it there properly. I have said in many threqds that he isnt cutable this year.

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Am a little concerned we haven't heard anything yet on Evans' contract...

New Orleans Saints trying to restructure Jahri Evans? - ESPN

Saints really need to replace Grubbs and if Evans and representation remain stubborn, Brees will have to buy his own guards...

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Saints FA status summed up as we head into the final 24hrs before FA is set to begin:

Saints free agency scorecard - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

The New Orleans Saints are still an estimated $12 million to $15 million over the salary cap after the latest flurry of moves over the past three days. Here’s a look at what they’ve done so far and what could come next as we get closer to the start of the new league year and free-agent signing period on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET:

Re-signed free agents:
RB Mark Ingram (4 years, $16 million per source.)
QB Luke McCown (1 year, $1.05 million. $665,000 cap cost.)
LB Parys Haralson (1 year, $950,000. $665,000 cap cost.)
S Jamarca Sanford (1 year, terms undisclosed.)
K Shayne Graham (1 year, $980,000. $595,000 cap cost.)

Agreed to pay cuts to stay:
WR Marques Colston (terms undisclosed)
DT Brodrick Bunkley (similar to last year's total of $1.65 million in salary and bonuses, per source; expected savings of nearly $3 million from original scheduled salary)

Restructured bonus without pay cut:
S Jairus Byrd

Veterans released:
RB Pierre Thomas

Potential for release, trade or pay cut:
G Ben Grubbs
G Jahri Evans
OLB Junior Galette
LB Curtis Lofton
LB David Hawthorne
CB Corey White

Potential for restructured bonus:
TE Jimmy Graham
Galette
Lofton

Unsigned unrestricted free agents:
C Jonathan Goodwin
WR Robert Meachem
CB Patrick Robinson
LB Ramon Humber
LB Moise Fokou
DL Brandon Deaderick

Unsigned restricted free agents:
DL Tyrunn Walker
RB Travaris Cadet
OT Bryce Harris

Potential free-agent targets from other teams:
DL Kendall Langford, Rams (visiting Sunday/Monday, per ESPN Rams reporter Nick Wagoner)
CB Robert McClain, Falcons (Saints have inquired, according to ESPN Falcons reporter Vaughn McClure)

Re: Saints 2015 Cuts/Trades/Signings
 

From Ross Jones(Fox sports)

Also, other options for #Bills could be OG Jahri Evans and WR Percy Harvin if/when they become available.

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I am laughing so hard because I was thinking... wait we din't resign him :)

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.

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Evan Woodbery ‏@TheSaintsBeat 3m3 minutes ago
#Saints 2015 salary cap estimate updated: Now only $4.56M over *not* including Colston paycut or Galette conversion

Re: Saints 2015 Cuts/Trades/Signings
 

Saints Nation Blog retweeted
NFL_DRAFT_Bites ‏@NFLDraftBites
Saints looking trade Rafael Bush, David Hawthorne. All destined for Cuts when no trade suitors emerge. Interest could come on Rafael...

Re: Saints 2015 Cuts/Trades/Signings
 

if we cut gallete and with colston we will be about 20 million under

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No we wont
Galettes dead money on his deal is 16ml

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8 safeties on the team and more to come and your going to cut the 3 best safety? Lofton now this? i am ready to say do drew a favor draft all offense and go for all offensive records you can. that or trade him so he does not have to see this

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We'll be fine...I have faith they have a plan.

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i have faith in SP and his plan
Rob and his plan? no faith what so ever

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I'm sure Sean and Mickey are running this show.

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Hopefully some feedback/input from Dennis Allen. Either The Big Lebowski (Rob Ryan) gets this D to perform in 2015, or he is a dead man walking.

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There it is. Saints restructured LB Junior Galette’s contract, I’m told. Turned his $12.5M due into signing bonus.Larry Holder (@LarryHolder)

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Saints have restructured bonus of Junior Galette, saving $10M in cap space. Now, unofficially, under the cap Evan Woodbery (@TheSaintsBeat)

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That fills a hole and gets us under the cap. wow once again the front office keeps us in business

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Loomis making it happen again

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Under the cap. Great. Now we can sign Revis. lol

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7,557,000.00 over without:
10,000,000.00 gallette
4,000,000.00 in Colston savings
? Jahri Evans
Puts us about 7 million under the cap. wooooooooooooohoooooooooooo

Re: Saints 2015 Cuts/Trades/Signings
 

So about 7 under WITHOUT Grubbs, Evans, Brees restructure

Re: Saints 2015 Cuts/Trades/Signings
 

Awesome!

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I know it gets us under the cap, but does anyone else not like the fact that we just gave Galette a $12.5 million check?! I know it had to be done, but still.

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Corey peters and Kyle Langford still no decision yet. Corey has 6 teams after to choose between and Langford 3 or 4.

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Oh I want Langford to stay and sign tomorrow

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Along with Wisniewski,Foster,and House.

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It was done when he was given that extension prematurely after the one season...

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Howdy fellas, I haven't been around in a while, but am I the only one who is getting a sinking feeling after watching the moves this offseason? Although I've been bothered by releasing guys like PT and Lofton, it's really the guys we have kept around that have me scratching my head.

For instance, why did we re-sign McCown? He's a veteran QB who seems to be very replaceable... do we not think we can find a cheaper alternative at the backup QB spot?

Ingram really has me concerned... guy has a breakout year in his contract year, but was never able to put it together or stay on the field in previous years... and we give him a multi-year deal?

We re-signed Shayne Graham (lol), have a $1M fullback on the roster (Lorig), and have one of the highest paid punters in the league. We also still have Hawthorne with a giant cap number that isn't justified by his play.

I'm also surprised that Brees hasn't stepped up at this point and offered to help...

I guess my concern is about the priorities... it seems we cut some core guys while keeping below-average performers. I clearly don't have all the information that Loomis & Co. have, but this offseason has a different feel than others in the past.

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Brees has offered to help already...the front office is choosing not to at this time. I think we still have Johnson at fullback also. I really believe the ZBS is why Ingram has delivered. It just so happened Sean decided to change it right before his contract year. I guess it was a last resort move to see if it would help and I believe it did. I know things are being shakin up a bit,but I do believe they have a plan. We needed change and we're getting it,and I for one am choosing to stay optimistic.

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Larry Holder reckons at least one more cut today

I'm waiting for at least one more shoe to drop for the #Saints today as far as cuts. I say at least one because there could be more.

RT @stephenolier: @LarryHolder got an opinion on who?
Hawthorne, Evans, Grubbs, White seem like possibilities

Re: Saints 2015 Cuts/Trades/Signings
 

Mike Tripletts piece on possible pass rushers.

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/b...RmV0OJO1%22%7D

Breaking down Saints' options for pass-rushers*
By Mike Triplett | March 10, 2015 1:30:55 PM PDT

The*New Orleans Saints*appear likely to bring back their top pass rusher,*Junior Galette, after converting his roster bonus*to a signing bonus*on Monday – though it’s still unknown if he could face a possible NFL suspension after being arrested on a domestic-violence charge that was later dropped.*

Even if Galette plays all 16 games in 2015, though, the Saints could use more pass-rush help. Who couldn’t?*

The draft is one possible avenue -- even though many of the top options might not fall to the 13th pick. If the Saints decide to seek help in the free-agent market, they’ll likely dip into the second or third tier, where there are still several attractive options available. Here’s a look at some of the top young pass-rushers who are either still in their prime years or just entering them:*


Greg Hardy,*Carolina Panthers*Hardy was one of the NFL’s most dominant players in 2013 with 15 sacks, but he spent last season on the commissioner’s exempt list because of domestic-violence charges (which were later dropped). Hardy doesn’t seem like a good fit for New Orleans because he could also be facing a NFL suspension – and because he could still be too expensive.*

Brian Orakpo,*Washington Redskins*Orakpo is a three-time Pro Bowl selection with 40 career sacks, but injuries have plagued his career. He was limited to seven games last season with his third torn pectoral muscle. Maybe that will make him more affordable if the Saints believe he’s worth the risk.*

Derrick Morgan,*Tennessee Titans*ESPN scouting analyst KC Joyner singled out Morgan as a second-tier player whom the Saints might want to target. A former first-round pick, Morgan hasn’t overwhelmed, likely because of a torn ACL suffered in his rookie year. But he has 23 sacks, 24 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles in 66 career games. Joyner said he has posted double-digit disrupted dropback numbers in two of the past three seasons (13.5 last year).*

Jabaal Sheard, Cleveland Browns. Age 25. 6-3, 264.*ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan identified Sheard as “very underrated” and “perfect for a hybrid scheme” like the Saints run under Rob Ryan. Sheard has played end in a 4-3 and outside linebacker in a 3-4 with 190 tackles, 23 sacks and seven forced fumbles in four years.*

Jason Worilds,*Pittsburgh Steelers*A former second-round pick, Worilds hasn’t been a consistent producer, but he’s shown great potential. And he’s come on strong the past two seasons with 15.5 sacks since becoming a regular starter. He had 18 QB pressures in 2014. Caplan said teams are split on whether he's an every-down player or a rotational player. But he’s very productive regardless, and he's also a good special teams player and good character guy.*

Anthony Spencer,*Dallas Cowboys*Spencer isn’t young anymore, and he was limited during the past two years by a knee injury that required microfracture surgery in 2013. But he’s a former Pro Bowl selection who had his best season under Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan in 2012, with 11 sacks. So maybe a reunion could make sense, especially if he comes at a discounted price. Spencer only had one-half sack in 13 games played in 2014, but by most accounts came on strong as he got healthier late in the year.*

Adrian Clayborn,*Tampa Bay BuccaneersAnother former first-round pick who has battled injuries and inconsistency. Clayborn has played in just 36 games in four years because of a torn biceps last year and a 2012 knee injury. But he had 7.5 sacks in 2011 and 5.5 sacks in 2013, so there’s still some potential there. The Saints liked him a lot in the 2011 draft.*

Brooks Reed,*Houston Texans*A regular starter since his rookie season in 2011, Reed has 14.5 career sacks and holds his own against the run as well. Caplan said he’s been cross-trained to play inside linebacker. The Saints could use that kind of versatility.*

O’Brien Schofield,*Seattle Seahawks*He played a rotational role in Seattle but could play a bigger one for a needier defense. Schofield has 13.5 sacks in five years with the Seahawks and*Arizona Cardinals. ESPN Insider Matt Williamson mentioned him as a possible fit for the Saints.*

Akeem Ayers,*New England Patriots*I wrote about him earlier along with*the inside linebackers. That versatility could make him extra enticing.

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Saints trying to bring Humber back

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We need some kids on the cheap for the home town discount who are beasts that trust in spags so the other team will feel it the day after they beat us!!