Report: Saints expected to release DT Malcom Brown

The New Orleans Saints expect to free up about $5 million in cap space by releasing nose tackle Malcom Brown in a salary cap-minded move.

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NFL insider Josina Anderson reported Friday that the New Orleans Saints intend to terminate their contract with starting nose tackle Malcom Brown, saving nearly $5 million against the salary cap. This wasn’t entirely unexpected; Brown’s name popped up in trade talks recently, but between teams over-valuing their draft picks and under-valuing good run defenders like Brown, it was probably difficult for the Saints to cut a deal.

Still, it’s a tougher loss than it appears on the surface. Brown was a force in the middle of the Saints defensive line, and the unit noticeably stepped back when he wasn’t available against the Philadelphia Eagles (snapping their 55-game streak of games played without allowing a 100-yard rusher). It won’t be easy to replace him, and the problem is compounded if veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins leaves in free agency.

That’s not to say the Saints don’t have options. David Onyemata has developed into one of the sport’s better interior defenders. Young backups Shy Tuttle and Malcolm Roach have earned more minutes. But moving on from both Brown and Rankins in the same offseason creates a void of experience that no one on the roster is positioned well to replace.

Brown initially signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Saints as a New England Patriots free agent back in 2019. He appeared in 29 regular season games and 3 playoff games, all starts. Just 27 years old, it shouldn’t take long for him to land on his feet.

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Saints had one last salary cap trick in store while letting go of Janoris Jenkins

The New Orleans Saints saved a $7 million in salary cap space by releasing CB Janoris Jenkins, but a creative restructure found even more.

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Janoris Jenkins will be tough to replace. The New Orleans Saints terminated their contract with the veteran cornerback on Thursday, opening a hole in the secondary that they aren’t well-positioned to fill. And while the Saints did recoup some big salary cap savings in the release, they were able to elbow into even more.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Saints had one more lever to pull, creating a little more room to breathe. Jenkins’ contract included $1.2 million in a fully-guaranteed roster bonus that would have eaten away at the team’s salary cap savings in releasing him. Instead, the Saints converted that into a signing bonus, meaning it’s counted against the cap in $600,000 this year and again in 2022.

So while it is just $600,000 in savings, that’s something the Saints can stretch a long way. Because only the top 51 contracts are counted for salary cap purposes, more-valuable deals push less-valuable ones off the cap sheet. That helps fit new contracts on the books.

For example, when the Saints signed running back Ty Montgomery to a veteran’s minimum salary, his cap hit was valued at just $850,000. But his addition pushed the $660,000 cap hit for practice squad tight end Ethan Wolf below the top-51 threshold, meaning it only really cost New Orleans $190,000 to bring back Montgomery. Without cheating with a calculator, who can tell me how many times $190,000 goes into $600,000?

While every player the Saints sign this year won’t agree to a minimum salary, finding extra resources here and there is critical. It’s not unrealistic to say the meager savings New Orleans created in this last-second restructure will allow them to add another player or two to at least round out the depth chart. And that’s on top of the $7 million in outright savings the Saints can now work with by releasing Jenkins. They’re far from finished in the climb towards cap compliance, but these moves will do a lot to help.

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Chiefs release starting LT Eric Fisher

The former No. 1 overall draft pick in 2013 has been released by the Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs have made their first big salary-cap-related decision.

As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chiefs have released starting left tackle Eric Fisher. The former No. 1 overall draft pick in 2013, Fisher will save the Chiefs almost $12 million in salary-cap space for the 2021 season.

Fisher suffered a torn Achilles during the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills and did not play in Super Bowl LV as a result.

Developing…

Could the Dallas Cowboys soon move on from Amari Cooper?

Former Alabama WR Amari Cooper is under contract with the Dallas Cowboys until 2024, but due to money constraints, he could be gone.

The Dallas Cowboys agreed to a monster deal with quarterback Dak Prescott. However, the move could have cost them more than a bunch of money, they may need to depart from some of their biggest offensive playmakers.

Amari Cooper, who was originally drafted to the then-Oakland Raiders, was traded to the Cowboys in 2018.

The former Alabama wide receiver signed a large contract with Dallas, which could keep him with the organization through 2024. However, there is a potential out for the Cowboys after the 2021 season.

ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio claims that Cooper and star running back Ezekiel Elliott could either be on the trading block or released.

“Although some are speculating that running back Ezekiel Elliott or receiver Amari Cooper could be traded soon due to Dak’s deal, the more likely outcome will be at least one more season with Cooper and Elliott before either or both are traded or released.

Last year, Cooper signed a five-year, $100 million contract that is, as a practical matter, a two-year, $40 million deal. After 2021, the Cowboys can walk away with no guaranteed money remaining and only a $6 million cap charge.”

In a weird 2020 season with a pandemic and an injured starting quarterback, Cooper still managed to record over 1,000 receiving yards.

There’s no telling what Dallas may do after the 2021 season, but Florio believes that Cooper could rework his contract if he wants to stay with the team.

Thomas Morstead shares an emotional goodbye with New Orleans

Thomas Morstead shared his goodbyes after the New Orleans Saints released their longtime punter, expressing gratitude and thanks to the team

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Change isn’t easy. Thomas Morstead is going to do his best to embrace it after being released by the New Orleans Saints, hoping to continue playing once his body is right and some of the dust has settled in free agency. While he won’t be wearing black and gold anymore, he still sees New Orleans as his home.

“Overwhelmed with gratitude and thanks,” Morstead said when asked what he was feeling during a Zoom conference call on Thursday. “Obviously sad to be moving on from the team, but it’s not as if I haven’t prepared for this moment in a lot of ways.”

Morstead added that he’s not leaving the city — he and his family are building a new house in town, and the relationships he’s cultivated in New Orleans are important to him. He continued, choked up, adding that he doesn’t plan to retire, and that New Orleans is home and will remain his home, no matter where he finishes his NFL career. The love he’s shared with fans and felt from them is special.

Some fans have speculated that a reunion could be in the cards at the veteran’s minimum, but Morstead said the Saints didn’t approach him about a pay cut or restructure. That doesn’t seem to be an option, though he said he feels no resentment or negativity towards the Saints for how they handled business. He did offer an endorsement of his likely replacement, second-year punter Blake Gillikin, who he mentored throughout his rookie 2020 season.

Saints games won’t be the same without No. 6. Hopefully he can enjoy his summer; he’s starting it right, ending the conference call by excusing himself. He had a plane to catch, joining Saints kicker Wil Lutz for a bachelor party. Like he said: those relationships won’t fall apart just because he’s not a Saint anymore.

7 players who could be released by Washington this offseason

These players may have gotten playing time for Washington in 2020, but it wouldn’t surprise us to see them get cut this offseason.

A lot of the news and ideas that we’ve covered so far this offseason have had to do with players that we would like to see Washington bring in via free agency or the NFL Draft but rarely do we touch on players who might be shown the door.

Every year, there are always some departures that might catch us by surprise, based on caliber or timing. For instance, last year it was both, with veteran RB Adrian Peterson being shown the door during training camp right before the season. A few months before, it was Josh Norman who was cut, and the offseason before that, Semaje Perine.

So who might get the ax this offseason? Will it be someone who takes us by surprise, or rather a long time coming? Here are 7 people who we think might be on their way out.

Mark Ingram released from Baltimore, will be free agent

Baltimore Ravens release former star Alabama running back Mark Ingram with one year remaining on his contract, they will save roughly $5 mil

Former Alabama running back Mark Ingram has been released by the Baltimore Ravens with one year remaining on his deal, which wil save the franchise roughly $5 million next season.

The team will likely move forward with the young J.K. Dobbins, whom they drafted from Ohio State in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

The 2009 Heisman trophy recipient was selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft, and played the first eight years of his career with the New Orleans Saints.

As a free agent in 2019, Ingram signed with the Ravens and knew his role. He was to be a veteran leader and share his expereince and wisdom with the young team.

Though, he was a leader, he was still being paid to be a running back.

In his first season with the team, Ingram totaled 1,265 yards from scrimmage and reached the endzone 15 times.

His numbers tailed off in 2020, as he was often listed as a healthy scratch for some games. The young generation of Ravens running backs were getting their chances.

The 31-year old running back was an energizing force with the team that instantly became absorbed by the Baltimore faithful.

Prior to his release, Ingram thanked the Ravens.

There’s no telling what the future holds for the former Alabama star running back, but when a decision is made Roll Tide Wire will publish any and all information that becomes available.

Detroit Lions activate Danny Shelton, sign Bobby Price, elevate 2 from practice squad

The Detroit Lions announced six roster moves ahead of their Week 17 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, including activating defensive tackle Danny Shelton from injured reserve and signing safety Bobby Price from the practice squad to the active roster. Other roster moves include elevating center Evan Brown and defensive tackle Albert Huggins for tomorrow’s game, activating practice squad linebacker Anthony Pittman from the Reserve/COVID-19 list, and releasing defensive lineman Frank Herron.

The Detroit Lions announced six roster moves ahead of their Week 17 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, including activating defensive tackle Danny Shelton from injured reserve and signing safety Bobby Price from the practice squad to the active roster.

Other roster moves include elevating center Evan Brown and defensive tackle Albert Huggins for tomorrow’s game, activating practice squad linebacker Anthony Pittman from the Reserve/COVID-19 list, and releasing defensive lineman Frank Herron.

Shelton was added to injured reserve with a knee injury in early December, and after three weeks he worked his way back to practices. He has been activated to the roster in hopes of playing against the Vikings on Sunday, but his knee could still keep him from the game, as he was added to this week’s injury report and listed as questionable.

With Shelton being a potential game-time decision, it explains the elevation of Huggins from the practice squad. With the Vikings’ strong running offense, the Lions appear to want to have at least one nose tackle other than John Penisini on the game-day roster.

Herron, who is more of a 3T/Big DE, was released in order to make room for Shelton.

Price will take the vacated roster spot of safety Jayron Kearse, who was released earlier in the week. In Week 17, he will mainly contribute on special teams, but Price is an athlete with upside and this move appears to be more about the future. In the grand scheme of roster development, Price will give the Lions four safeties under contract heading into the offseason.

Brown was called upon to replace Joe Dahl at center last week, contributing on 28 of the Lions’ 53 offensive snaps. This week, Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow is expected to be back in the lineup — he is listed as questionable — but Dahl remains out and the Lions will turn to Brown to back up the position once again.

One final note: Pittman, who was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list two weeks ago, has cleared the league protocols and will return back to the practice squad.

Report: A team rule violation factored into the Lions releasing of Jayron Kearse

Dave Birkett of the Free Press is reporting that a team rule violation factored into the Detroit Lions releasing of safety Jayron Kearse.

Dave Birkett of the Free Press is reporting that a team rule violation factored into the Detroit Lions’ releasing of safety Jayron Kearse.

“Kearse committed a violation of team rules before the Lions’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week when he left the team hotel without permission and was late for bed check, multiple sources told the Free Press,” Birkett reported. “Kearse, who was a late addition to last week’s injury report, did not play against the Buccaneers because of those transgressions, and likely would have been inactive again Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.”

Birkett would go on to suggest that the team also wanted to get an extended look at some of the other safeties on the roster, like Tracy Walker and Will Harris, which lines up with what interim coach Darrell Bevell said on Monday.

When asked to comment on Brikett’s report at today’s press conference, Bevell would not go as far as to confirm the report, but reading between the lines seems to suggest it was indeed a factor.

“Like I’ve told you guys, and I think I’ve told obviously the whole team, everything that we do matters,” Bevell said. “So everything that goes into any situation matters. So all of that out there, I mean, I won’t get into the specifics of what happened with ‘JK’ (Kearse). At the end of the day, we decided to make a change so that we could end up seeing some of the younger players that are on the roster. Obviously, give him other opportunities with other teams elsewhere – that’s kind of where we left it.”

Last week the Lions asked Walker to return to a starting role, will Harris as the team’s third safety, and C.J. Moore as the fourth option. These roles are expected to repeat themselves this weekend, and it’s also possible rookie Bobby Price — who is protected this week and has one roster elevation remaining — could also get a look.

Seahawks waive DT Damon Harrison after he asks for release

The Seattle Seahawks have officially waived defensive tackle Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison after he asked for his release following Week 16.

Veteran defensive tackle Damon Harrison pondered retirement after last season but eventually signed with Seattle’s practice squad this year. He made his debut in Week 10, but after six games with the team, he’s calling it quits.

Per his request, the Seahawks waived Harrison on Monday afternoon after he and coach Pete Carroll discussed the situation.

“I talked to him this morning. He’s in good spirits and all of that, he’s really grateful for the opportunity playing here and he did really well by us, but he’s done,” Carroll said on 710 ESPN Seattle. “I don’t know what will happen with any other club, but I know he’s got a big family, he’s got a bunch of kids – he’s got seven kids to corral and take care of, and it’s a very trying time and challenging, so he’s just trying to get them back home and safe.”

Harrison has made mention on Twitter of wanting to continue to play this season, but he would have limited time to clear COVID-19 testing protocols in time to make a roster.

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