New Orleans SAINTS official thread 2014-15

[treeduck]

Adam Schefter‏@AdamSchefter2 mins

Saints shopping RB Pierre Thomas and WR Lance Moore to other teams, per sources, and even could be open to trading RB Darren Sproles also.

 

Report: Saints “shopping” Pierre Thomas, Lance Moore, could be open to Sproles trade

 

Posted by Josh Alper on March 6, 2014, 4:20 PM EST

 

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/pierre-thomas.jpg?w=250

New Orleans Saints running back Thomas looks at Dallas Cowboys linebacker Connor as he carries ball in first half of their NFL football game in Arlington

Reuters

The Saints said goodbye to some longtime defensive players early in the offseason and there could be similar changes coming on the other side of the ball.

 

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Saints are “shopping” running back Pierre Thomas and wide receiver Lance Moore to other teams. Thomas played a prominent role in the New Orleans once again last season, running for 549 yards and catching 77 passes while getting the most work of any tailback on the team.

 

Trading him would clear $2.9 million from the cap while moving Moore would open up another $2.5 million. It would leave the same amount of dead money on the cap and his trade value may not be great coming off a year that saw him get hurt and lose playing time to other wideouts.

 

Schefter also reports that the team “could be open” to trading running back Darren Sproles as well, although it’s not clear if that’s something they’re actively considering. Sproles is set to make $3.5 million in 2014 and it’s not clear how the trade talk around one back would wind up impacting the other one.

So is Graham going to go to Seattle?

I doubt they can afford him, they're gonna have to pay the "legion of doom" pretty soon, plus in the near future superbowl-winning QB Russell "20 million at least" Wilson!

[treeduck]

Lance Moore to be released by New Orleans Saints

 

By Kevin Patra

 

The New Orleans Saints continue to shed veteran contracts.

 

Lance Moore will be released by the team, Ian Rapoport reported Friday, per a source who has spoken to the wide receiver. Earlier in the day, Moore tweeted his goodbye to the city where he has spent his entire NFL career.

 

 

The Saints reportedly were shopping the receiver Thursday, but it appears they received no bites for the nine-year veteran.

 

The move will save the Saints around $2.5 million in salary cap space as they try to dig further underneath the cap after slapping the franchise tag on tight end Jimmy Graham.

 

Moore's departure should open up more snaps for Kenny Stills, who is coming off a stellar rookie season. New Orleans also could look to fill the void in a 2014 NFL Draft that is deep at the receiver spot.

 

The 30-year-old Moore recorded 37 receptions for 457 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games in 2013. He's only one year removed from going for 1,041 yards.

 

The capable veteran could be a good second-tier wide receiver in a market that can't have enough productive route runners.

 

Among several receiver-needy teams that are likely to be linked to Moore, the Detroit Lions make sense. Former New Orleans quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi took over as offensive coordinator in Detroit and admitted he's running the Saints' base offense.

[treeduck]

Larry Holder @LarryHolder

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With the #Saints being cash strapped, expect Zach Strief, Brian de la Puente and Malcolm Jenkins to all hit FA come next week.

[treeduck]

Darren Sproles to be released by New Orleans Saints

 

The free-agent running back market has an intriguing new name.

 

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday that the New Orleans Saints are releasing Darren Sproles, citing a source informed of the team's plans. The news comes soon after we learned that Sproles was being shopped for a potential trade. Clearly, no one was interested.

 

The move should save the Saints $3.5 million in cap space, but it's still a surprising decision. Sproles touched the ball 165 times for the Saints in 2013, including 71 catches and 41 total returns.

 

We'll have more on this story soon.

[treeduck]

Jimmy Graham @TheJimmyGraham

 

Wow unbelievable. Shocked and disappointed on everything that's gone on this offseason.

 

 

 

Larry Holder ‏@LarryHolder

I think Jimmy Graham better run for the hills after his latest tweet. Pretty sure #Saints fans aren't going to take that too well.

[treeduck]

Tight end Jimmy Graham 'shocked' and 'disappointed' at New Orleans Saints' offseason

 

http://imgick.nola.com/home/nola-media/width620/img/tpphotos/photo/2013/10/13659561-mmmain.jpg

 

Several current and former New Orleans Saints players expressed their well wishes and bewilderment Friday with the releases of running back Darren Sproles and wide receiver Lance Moore.

 

Tight end Jimmy Graham's reaction may resonate the most, though, as Graham is battling for top dollar in contract negotiations with the Saints after being issued the franchise tag.

 

Graham said via Twitter on Friday night after Sproles said his goodbye to Saints fans, "Wow unbelievable. Shocked and disappointed on everything that's gone on this offseason."

 

The Saints have released Sproles, Moore, safety Roman Harper, defensive end Will Smith, cornerback Jabari Greer and elected not to re-sign linebacker Jonathan Vilma. Salary cap space is one of the primary reasons for these releases. Meanwhile, Graham will more than likely become the highest-paid tight end in the league this offseason.

 

[Principled Man]

Jimmy Graham said:

 

Wow unbelievable. Shocked and disappointed on everything that's gone on this offseason.

 

 

Dear Jimmy,

 

Go look in the mirror, you narcissistic hypocrite. Your personal greed is one of the main reasons why your fellow star teammates are being cut. Have fun not coming close to another Super Bowl.....but hey, no problem, right? You're getting your millions and millions....that's all that matters.

[treeduck]

Drew Brees, QB, Saints (2006)

 

http://espngrantland.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/drew-brees.jpg?w=510

 

 

Drew Brees is the exception that proves all the quarterback rules. Short quarterbacks can’t win … except for Drew Brees. Second-round quarterbacks don’t pan out … except for Drew Brees. Free-agent quarterbacks never work … except for Drew Brees.

 

When very good players hit free agency, it’s often because a collection of circumstantial factors landed them there. When very good quarterbacks do, it requires an aligning of the planets.

 

The Chargers went 9-7 in 2005, behind one of the best offenses in football. LaDainian Tomlinson and his 1,832 yards from scrimmage didn’t hurt, but while Brees wasn’t the Pro Bowl player he’d been in 2004, he was still a very good starting quarterback in a league increasingly dependent on them.

 

San Diego’s question was whether “very good” was enough. The 9-7 finish kept the Chargers from the playoffs for the ninth time in 10 years. And they had alternatives to consider. Lurking on the bench was Philip Rivers, whom San Diego had more or less taken with the first pick in the draft a year earlier.

 

That wasn’t the only factor. In the final game of the season, while diving for a loose fumble, Brees’s throwing shoulder had been — I think I have the medical terminology right here — severely f*cked up. He had a horribly dislocated shoulder, a 360-degree tear in his labrum, and there were questions about how the damage would affect him long-term. It was enough for San Diego to let him hit the market.

 

The two teams associated with the Brees pursuit that offseason are the Dolphins and Saints, and the fate each franchise has endured since is a common topic. The Dolphins famously failed Brees on his physical, a story Nick Saban, then Miami’s head coach, and Brees both corroborate. “I do remember [the team’s doctors] saying I had a 25 percent chance of coming back and playing,” Brees told the Miami Herald this past fall. The Dolphins pulled out of the bidding on March 15 and sent a second-round pick to Minnesota for Daunte Culpepper. That immediately led Brees to choose the Saints, whose offer had all along come with more guaranteed money and the promise that their new quarterback would be built up as a symbol of the franchise’s revival. Miami has had 10 starting quarterbacks and no playoff wins since. The Saints … well, they’ve done a bit better behind center — 80-47, 38,733 yards, 283 touchdowns, seven Pro Bowls, one Super Bowl, and a nonstop ticket to the Hall of Fame.

[treeduck]

New Orleans Saints free agent safety Malcolm Jenkins agrees to terms with Eagles, report says

 

The New Orleans Saints knew safety Malcolm Jenkins would test the free-agent market, and he's already landed elsewhere as Jenkins agreed to a three-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to ESPN.

 

The contract is reportedly worth a maximum of $16.25 million for three years.

 

Jenkins, the team's 2009 first-round pick, was a four-year starter in New Orleans. With Jenkins' departure, the Saints have lost longtime starting defensive backs Jenkins, Roman Harper and Jabari Greer.

[treeduck]

Larry Holder ‏@LarryHolder 5m

As of now, Kenny Vaccaro is the only #Saints safety under contract on the roster. Bush has been tendered as an RFA. So eventually two.

[treeduck]

 

$5 million a year for a guy who can't tackle and is mediocre in coverage...good luck with that.

[treeduck]

Malcolm Jenkins ‏@MalcolmJenkins

Very excited about being a part of the @Eagles organization! I loved every minute I spent in New Orleans but all good things come to an end.

 

 

Malcolm Jenkins ‏@MalcolmJenkins

Who Dat fans I hope I continue to have your love and support as we part ways! Thank you for everything!

[treeduck]

Larry Holder ‏@LarryHolder 2m

Wow! RT @AdamSchefter: Bills free-agent S Jairus Byrd is on his way to New Orleans to visit the Saints, per source.

 

:o :o :o :o :o

[treeduck]

Larry Holder ‏@LarryHolder

Can confirm the #Saints will have safety Jairus Byrd in for a visit, via source.

 

Retweeted by Larry Holder

Joe Casale ‏@sportsJC16

The Byrd situation is what @LarryHolder & I were talking about earlier. If a team wants a player, they can always find room for him. #Saints

 

Larry Holder ‏@LarryHolder

They wouldn't bring Byrd here otherwise RT @whodat_09_10: @LarryHolder Larry, you really think we can make cap room to sign him?

 

Larry Holder ‏@LarryHolder 11m

#Saints set to host Bills free-agent safety Jairus Byrd, report says http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2014/03/new_orleans_saints_set_to_host.html …

[treeduck]

New Orleans Saints set to host Bills free-agent safety Jairus Byrd, source confirms

 

http://imgick.nola.com/home/nola-media/width620/img/saints_impact/photo/14462667-mmmain.jpg

 

On the heels of the departure of safety Malcolm Jenkins, the New Orleans Saints didn't sit around long as they're set to host Bills free-agent safety Jairus Byrd, according to a source. Byrd, considered one of the top free agents on the market, is scheduled to arrive in New Orleans on Tuesday night, the source said.

 

The Saints only have Kenny Vaccaro under contract for the 2014 season at safety. Rafael Bush has been issued a restricted free agent tender by the Saints, but it's not signed yet.

 

Byrd's price tag has been reportedly set as high as $9 million per season. The Saints aren't exactly in a position to spent mega bucks on a free agent as they're reportedly only about $2 million under the salary cap.

 

But the Saints were in a similar situation last offseason and nearly landed top free agent pass rusher Paul Kruger. So the team is will to make moves within their building concerning salaries to make a splash.

 

Byrd, 27, is a proven playmaker in the secondary as he's piled up 22 interceptions in five seasons in Buffalo. The 5-foot-10, 203-pound safety also added 356 total tackles, three sacks, 33 pass defenses, 11 forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns with the Bills.

 

ESPN first reported the story.

[treeduck]

Report: Saints will trade Sproles

 

Posted by Mike Florio on March 11, 2014, 7:56 PM EDT

 

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/sproles.jpg?w=235

 

After it was reported elsewhere that the Saints would cut running back Darren Sproles, we added a caveat: The Saints would first try to trade him.

 

And now they apparently will trade him.

 

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Saints will trade Sproles, thanks to a high demand for his services.

 

Sproles joined the Saints in 2011, after six seasons with the Chargers. He turns 31 in June, and the Saints apparently believe his best days are behind him. Fortunately for New Orleans, other teams disagree.

 

Thus, of all the veterans destined to be cut whose teams are trying to trade them, Sproles is the one, and perhaps only, that actually will be traded.

[laughedatbytime]

Report: Saints will trade Sproles

 

Posted by Mike Florio on March 11, 2014, 7:56 PM EDT

 

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/sproles.jpg?w=235

 

After it was reported elsewhere that the Saints would cut running back Darren Sproles, we added a caveat: The Saints would first try to trade him.

 

And now they apparently will trade him.

 

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Saints will trade Sproles, thanks to a high demand for his services.

 

Sproles joined the Saints in 2011, after six seasons with the Chargers. He turns 31 in June, and the Saints apparently believe his best days are behind him. Fortunately for New Orleans, other teams disagree.

 

Thus, of all the veterans destined to be cut whose teams are trying to trade them, Sproles is the one, and perhaps only, that actually will be traded.

Who is showing interest?

[treeduck]

The New Orleans Saints have had a change of plans concerning Darren Sproles.

 

Free-Agent Tracker

Follow all the developments on the NFL's open market with our up-to-the-minute tracking of 2014's free agents. More ...

The team originally intended to release the running back in a salary cap related move, but now believe they will be able to trade him, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.

 

More than 10 teams have called to inquire about Sproles' availability.

 

Unlike the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' situation with Darrelle Revis, the Saints aren't operating with a ticking clock. Sproles has no bonus money coming, which means the Saints can take their time in finding the right deal.

 

With so much interest in Sproles, it's possible the Saints can get real value back. Sproles has only one year and $3.5 million remaining on his current contract, manageable terms that should make a trade easier to facilitate.

 

Rapoport reported that the Saints still plan to cut Sproles if they cannot make a deal. That now appears unlikely.

[treeduck]

Report: Saints will trade Sproles

 

Posted by Mike Florio on March 11, 2014, 7:56 PM EDT

 

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/sproles.jpg?w=235

 

After it was reported elsewhere that the Saints would cut running back Darren Sproles, we added a caveat: The Saints would first try to trade him.

 

And now they apparently will trade him.

 

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Saints will trade Sproles, thanks to a high demand for his services.

 

Sproles joined the Saints in 2011, after six seasons with the Chargers. He turns 31 in June, and the Saints apparently believe his best days are behind him. Fortunately for New Orleans, other teams disagree.

 

Thus, of all the veterans destined to be cut whose teams are trying to trade them, Sproles is the one, and perhaps only, that actually will be traded.

Who is showing interest?

I don't know yet but apparently 10 or 11 teams, so we might get a decent pick out of this deal.

[treeduck]

I'm hearing the main Suitors for Sproles are the Browns, Texans and Raiders. So good for us not so good for Sproles...

[treeduck]

Saints announce six-year deal with Jairus Byrd

 

Posted by Mike Florio on March 11, 2014, 9:32 PM EDT

 

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/jairusbyrd.png?w=225

 

On a day with few surprises relating to the signing of free agents, here’s a fairly big one.

 

The Saints have announced that former Bills safety Jairus Byrd has signed a six-year deal.

 

Byrd, who played in 2013 under the franchise tag in Buffalo, wasn’t expected to draw serious consideration from the Saints, in large part because the Saints have been dealing with salary-cap issues.

 

But G.M. Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton have found a way to get the deal done. And a defense that got a lot better in 2013 (then again, the bar from 2012 was low) suddenly has gotten even better, with the addition of the No. 12 player on the PFT Free Agent Hot 100.

 

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Edited March 12, 2014 by treeduck

[laughedatbytime]

Saints announce six-year deal with Jairus Byrd

 

Posted by Mike Florio on March 11, 2014, 9:32 PM EDT

 

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/jairusbyrd.png?w=225

 

On a day with few surprises relating to the signing of free agents, here’s a fairly big one.

 

The Saints have announced that former Bills safety Jairus Byrd has signed a six-year deal.

 

Byrd, who played in 2013 under the franchise tag in Buffalo, wasn’t expected to draw serious consideration from the Saints, in large part because the Saints have been dealing with salary-cap issues.

 

But G.M. Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton have found a way to get the deal done. And a defense that got a lot better in 2013 (then again, the bar from 2012 was low) suddenly has gotten even better, with the addition of the No. 12 player on the PFT Free Agent Hot 100.

 

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

This just in. Goodell disallows the signing, gives Byrd to the Panthers as compensation for a particularly hard tackle of Cam Newton in the second quarter of last year's week 16 game. :)

[treeduck]

Saints announce six-year deal with Jairus Byrd

 

Posted by Mike Florio on March 11, 2014, 9:32 PM EDT

 

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/jairusbyrd.png?w=225

 

On a day with few surprises relating to the signing of free agents, here’s a fairly big one.

 

The Saints have announced that former Bills safety Jairus Byrd has signed a six-year deal.

 

Byrd, who played in 2013 under the franchise tag in Buffalo, wasn’t expected to draw serious consideration from the Saints, in large part because the Saints have been dealing with salary-cap issues.

 

But G.M. Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton have found a way to get the deal done. And a defense that got a lot better in 2013 (then again, the bar from 2012 was low) suddenly has gotten even better, with the addition of the No. 12 player on the PFT Free Agent Hot 100.

 

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

This just in. Goodell disallows the signing, gives Byrd to the Panthers as compensation for a particularly hard tackle of Cam Newton in the second quarter of last year's week 16 game. :)

 

and :bang bang: for Goodhell!

[treeduck]

Byrd bags giant deal from Saints

 

Posted by Mike Florio on March 11, 2014, 10:06 PM EDT

Former Bills safety Jairus Byrd wanted $9 million per year. And he got it. Exactly.

 

According to multiple reports, the Saints have given Byrd a six-year deal with a total value of $54 million. Of the amount, $28 million is guaranteed.

 

Unknown (for now) is the amount that’s fully guaranteed at the time of signing, and the amount that is guaranteed for injury only.

 

The structure also will say much about the expected duration of the deal. High salaries and cap numbers in future years make it less likely that all six years of the deal will be completed.

 

Given the Saints’ current cap crunch, it’s likely that the contract has been loaded up with bigger dollars later in the deal.

 

Byrd has no connection to any member of the New Orleans coaching staff. However, it’s possible that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan knows what former Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine thinks of Byrd, via Jets coach (and Rob’s twin brother) Rex Ryan, who employed Pettine before he went to Buffalo.

[treeduck]

Pierre Thomas staying with New Orleans Saints

 

Darren Sproles will not be a member of the New Orleans Saints for much longer. Pierre Thomas, on the other hand, might be a lifer.

 

Thomas' agent, Lamont Smith, announced on Twitter that the running back has signed a two-year contract extension. After an offseason that included so many departures by big-name Saints, many with Super Bowl titles, this news will be popular in New Orleans.

 

The Saints' backfield is nearly set for 2013. Khiry Robinson and Mark Ingram both figure to have bigger roles next season, while Thomas will likely handle many of the passing-down duties. He's still one of the best screen backs in the league, with a career high 77 catches last year.

 

Thomas' deal should lower his cap number for the year, which will help the team fit Jairus Byrd and Jimmy Graham's eventual contract under the salary cap.

 

After a season in which the team said goodbye to Jabari Greer, Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma, Roman Harper, Lance Moore and Sproles, at least one familiar face will remain in the team's backfield.