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A very good article.


The New Orleans Saints will finally have some breathing room under the cap for the 2017 offseason. But even with more cap space than they’ve had in a few years, they are well behind the league average.

There’s reason to believe the New Orleans Saints will look to cut or restructure some of their less productive veterans in order to free up more space. Jairus Byrd is a popular name among fans and media outlets for either one of these moves.



But it would be a mistake for the Saints to cut Byrd in 2017. Wait until 2018.

The Saints have a history of tying up big money in underachieving players, and then cutting them once it’s clear that they’d made a mistake. The dead money that accumulates from these moves has been a thorn in the Saints side for years.

Finally, it’s looking like the team might be crawling out of the dead money dungeon. So why tie up more dead money in a player that has contributed positively all year?

And don’t mistake it: Byrd has contributed positively all year. He’s been one of the defense’s most consistent performers, and arguably their best tackler, ever since his benching after Week 3.


New Orleans Saints: The case for one more year of Jairus Byrd

... more here

CharityMike

This is a tough one. I like the article and think they are probably correct. I really think if our CB spot can manage to stay healthy, it will help the safeties. This season was such a mash unit it's hard to really gauge what could have been had we not had every starting CB get injured.

AsylumGuido

Agree completely, Mike. Byrd finally had his most injury free games and the rest of the secondary was decimated by injuries or suspension. The secondary is a unit and no part can be as strong without the entire unit doing their job.

Danno

I'm sold

Saint in Aus

It takes a while to recover from bad knee injuries. Reckon he will be ready to go next season. We'd be silly to release him.

hagan714

not all that hard really. no real back up option is on the roster. so we are stuck really.

FS is still on my shopping list.

IMO Vonn Bell has not shown the Instincts required for a player lacks size and top end speed. These make instincts critical for a FS like him. He needs even more SS help than Byrd to patrol the back end. As a slot CB sure but alone all by himself he has shown little improvement all year. He is best in the box at this level. So far.

Byrd should feel pretty safe about 2017.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

K Major

It's been stated before but financially and from a field stand point it would be beneficial to keep (pay restructure) Byrd another year. Then when 2018 rolls around, cut bait if you so choose to do so.

Vonn Bell isn't ready.

Seer1

Great article. Maybe he could figure that angle thing out with some decent coaching. Look at what happened with Jenkins once he moved on.

RailBoss

Put JB on the trading block and Belichik will grab him and make him a Superstar. Jenkins is a prime example of what coaching can do.

RockyMountainSaint

No restructure?
No Byrd.
That is the word.