As the Saints work to clear more cap space, who is next on the chopping block? Jhari Evans Ben Grubbs Lance Moore B. Bunkley Pierre Thomas There are some big names there, but as we all know, this is a business. Discuss.
I would hate to see the Saints release Pierre Thomas. When healthy he is still their most productive RB. Charles Brown has been a huge bust at left tackle. He needs to go ASAP
I would say Lance Moore. He's making entirely too much money (I think $3m per) for his level of production. I wouldn't be surprised if he restructured for less to stay because I don't think there's a huge market for him. I really don't see them letting Pierre Thomas go. I think it's a mistake if they do.
Well, we ain't the only ones in a pickle. Look at some of these names that are expected to be salary cap casualties around the NFL: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...ware-sanchez-cj2k-among-big-names-likely-gone
If the team's ability to run the ball with Robinson/Ingram in the last few weeks of the year/playoffs is an indicator, PT could be expendable. Moore could be gone soon as well, but there are quite a few factors there.....will Morgan come back 100%? Will Stills continue to improve? Can we get a rookie to come in and have an immediate impact?
I agree that he could be, but I hope not. While Robinson has all the potential in the world, he's still unproven. So is Ingram, for that matter, as sad as that is. I'd like to see him run like that for a full season before letting go of our most productive back. Lastly, SP usually likes to keep at least 3 RBs on the roster for depth (Sproles is kind of a hybrid WR/RB), so I think PT is ok for this year.
There is zero chance of Evans and Grubbs being cut. Nada. Zilch. None. If you cut those guys, you might as well cut Brees as well. Thomas, Bunkley and Moore are gone. Sproles might be gone as well. Thomas did not have a good season, averaging less than 4 ypc. He saw more passes this year, but those were less than 7 ypc. With Sproles on the roster and Ingram starting to look like a 1st round pick, he's a luxury. Better to cut them too soon rather than too late. He carries a $3 million cap number I believe and if he's cut, the Saints get all of it. Bunkley was replaced by Jenkins. Depth at NT can be added and Akiem Hicks rotates to the NT as well, but the Saints only get about $1.2 million in room by cutting him. They'd be better off asking him to restructure. Lance Moore was replaced by Kenny Stills last season. Unless he wants to take a monster pay cut, he's gone pecan. I think Patrick Robinson and Ben Watson are on the edge. You have a handful of guys who I think will restructure their contracts for cash up front to reduce the cap hit like Grubbs, Colston and maybe Brees. Evans restructured last year, so I don't think they will ask him again this year. Now, I think Sproles will hang around this year, but his days are numbered. I can see the Saints grabbing a guy like D'Anthony Thomas in the late rounds of the draft to replace him.
@MLUTiger Jenkins hasn't replaced Bunkley yet. He went out wth an injury for a while midseason, but came back and was getting most of the snaps during the playoff run. Can't agree on Robinson or Watson either. Robinson's sort of in limbo until we see if they're going to re-sign Greer. Watson earned Brees' trust very quickly last year....he's your fallback if they decide they can't afford Graham. Agree with you on Evans, Grubbs, Thomas and even Sproles. He's carrying a big cap number and his production has started to decline a bit.
Graham is coming back. I know just this just like I knew Brees was coming back. It's a done deal. Loomis is not going to fail to lock his ass up for the long term.
