Saints safety Roman Harper has restructured his contract, according to a league source.
We don't know the numbers, but he took a pay cut, and they added a year to his contract. I'm told the new deal has less guaranteed money.
Harper was scheduled to have a base salary of $7.2 million this year. This will now free up some salary cap space.
It also will make it easier to cut Harper next year, because it spreads the money out over a longer period and there are fewer guarantees.
Harper, who came to the Saints as a 2nd-round draft pick from Alabama in 2006, has been a Pro Bowl safety. However, the drafting of Kenny Vaccaro with the team's first draft pick this year has prompted this move.
Saints safety Roman Harper has restructured his contract, according to a league source.
We don't know the numbers, but he took a pay cut, and they added a year to his contract. I'm told the new deal has less guaranteed money.
Harper was scheduled to have a base salary of $7.2 million this year. This will now free up some salary cap space.
It also will make it easier to cut Harper next year, because it spreads the money out over a longer period and there are fewer guarantees.
Harper, who came to the Saints as a 2nd-round draft pick from Alabama in 2006, has been a Pro Bowl safety. However, the drafting of Kenny Vaccaro with the team's first draft pick this year has prompted this move.
The Payton factor: The media got their first look at the Saints during their third Organized Team Activity session this morning at the team's training facility on Airline Drive. Very few people have as strong a presence at their workplace as the one felt from Sean Payton. He was back with his team as they worked through the 90-degree heat at practice. You can tell Payton is running the show again, just in the energy level alone that you see from the players on the practice field. You can feel and see it in everone, from the coaches down to the water boys.
Ryan's D: Most of the attention was squarely on the new defensive scheme of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. While Ryan admitted they're throwing a lot at the players right now, he said, "They are picking it up on the board as fast as any defense I've been in charge of."
Besides the obvious change in alignment, the defense already has a different look to it, and a different attitude.
"We all have a chip on our shoulder after last season. I don't like getting fired. I know I had a job in five minutes," he said somewhat sarcastically. "I know I got my feelings hurt and so did our players, and we're looking to something about it."
Coming off the Bounty Scandal from a year ago, the Saints defensive coaches before now were a little resistant to say things aloud, but that's clearly changed in the practice I watched today. You could hear the coaches barking orders and coaching tips regularly to the players.
It was also nice to see Joe Vitt back with the linebacker group. Vitt was suspended for six games last season, and upon his return he was handling the interim head coaching duties. Rob Ryan was obviously glad to have Ryan back in the fold as well.
"I have the best assistant coach in football already here this side of (Steelers Defensive Coordinator) Dick Lebeau in Joe Vitt. He didn't coach a snap of defense last year, that's like getting a first round pick," Ryan said.
Early observations: It's only May, so we can't crown anyone yet, but a few players stood out today. Defensive back Kennan Lewis was active around the football in team drills and picked off one pass from Luke McCown on a deflected ball. Lewis just missed another interception, stepping in front of a Drew Brees pass intended for Lance Moore. Linebacker Martez Wilson was impressive, flashing solid speed coming off the edge. Victor Butler also flashed some of his pass rushing skills. Though, keep in mind: It's hard to tell who wins the trench fights without pads.
Did not practice: Sean Payton wasn't willing to disclose to much about injuries but the following players did not practice today. Jonathan Vilma (LB), David Hawthorne (LB), Malcolm Jenkins (S), Kenyon Coleman (DE), Ben Watson (TE), and Charles Brown (OL). Payton said Browns injury is from weightlifting. "Nothing significant, we'll just keep monitoring it. He got some work in the walkthrough," Payton told us. Jenkins missed practice battling a sore hamstring.
Kristian@wwl.com - In a new defensive alignment, Saints veteran Will Smith is starting Organized Team Activities today at outside linebacker.
"On paper it's outside linebacker, but it's still defensive end. I'm cool with it," Smith told me.
"It's still the same role, I'm still rushing the passer. The difference is instead of being in a three point stance, I'm in a two point stance."
Smith has spent his entire 9-year career with his hand in the ground playing in a 4-3 scheme. Entering his 10th season in the NFL, Smith has tallied 67.5 career sacks.
The "Cajun Cannon" Bobby Hebert says the move makes sense to him. "I think they know what they have in Will Smith as a defensive end, they want to see what he can do as a rush linebacker," said Hebert. "I think you can get five to six sacks out of Will Smith at this point in his career. That would be pretty productive."
Yes, it's a drastic change for Smith, but this sounds like a bit of an experiment. If it doesn't work they could still move him back to defensive end in the 3-4 under Rob Ryan.
The Big Question in Hebert's mind for Smith is, "How well can he run? How well can he cover running backs out of the backfield?" Smith does have 25 career pass break-ups, with several of those coming at the line of scrimmage, batting down passes.
Smith took a $6 million pay cut and restructured his contract this off-season. Bobby says Smith looks to be a lock to make the roster. "He's still in the mix after taking the cut in pay. The only way Smith doesn't make the roster is if he completely falls on his face," Hebert said.
Smith is a veteran guy, and he's "their kind of guy," so it makes sense to take a look outside linebacker. At the end of the day, if it doesn't work out you know they can move him right back to the defensive line. The competition at the linebacking spots will be one to watch during OTA's, mini-camp and Training Camp.
Starting this Tuesday, the Black and Gold get underway with Organized Team Activities, which is a fancy phrase for "practice." These workouts are voluntary, but as in previous years under Sean Payton, attendance at OTA's are expected to be near-100%.
So, what exactly are Organized Team Activities? Basically, it is the first time that the coaches and players can be on a field at the same time practicing. Yes, OTA's are voluntary, but the standard that Sean Payton has set since he's been there is to expect everyone to deliver at all levels. There is essentially no off-season any more in the NFL, and Payton sets an extremely high level of accountability.
Yes, it's a cliché to say that championships are won in the months before the season, but it's true. I've heard that from many Saints players, and they will tell you that these are months, days, and hours you can't get back if they pass on the opportunity to improve. Look back to two years ago during the lockout, when Drew Brees led the players in their own version of OTA's. Even during the labor dispute, the players recognized that it was important enough for an eventual season to be in peak shape.
The NFL is more physical than ever, so every day of practice is important. Now, that being said…there is virtually no contact in OTA drills these days, following the newest collective bargaining agreement between the players and the league. Back when Gregg Williams was installing his defense in '09, you'd actually see some pushing and shoving at OTA's…but that's likely a thing of the past. That's not to say that OTA's aren't important, but it's not as gritty as it used to be. These days, the worst friction you'll see at OTA's is harsh language.
Although the hitting may not be there, the competition is still pretty fierce. Rob Ryan will have his first real opportunity to start installing his 3-4 D this Tuesday, and there will be a lot of guys trying to make their mark for their new coach. Position battles will start to take shape on the D side of the ball.
It's hard to believe but Lance Moore is the elder statesman of the Saints wide receiver corps. Moore joined the Saints back in 2005 as an undrafted free agent out of Toledo and has been mainstay since the 2006 season as perhaps the Black and Gold's most reliable receiver.
I spoke with Moore as he and his teammates are about three weeks into offseason condition at the Saints training facility on Airline drive.
"We're all focused on the 2013 season, and not thinking about what happened last season," Moore told me. Saints fans, and Moore, don't need to be reminded that New Orleans finished 7 and 9 and missed the play offs for the first time in three seasons. Moore told me there is "renewed sense of focus" and "energy level' during this off-season.
Moore and Marques Colston are the only two veteran playmakers at wide-out for Drew Brees. The rest are talented but unproven. Joe Morgan caught 10 balls last season, and flashed deep speed, but those totals must improve this season. Nick Toon was drafted in the fourth round in the 2012 draft, but spent the season on Injured Reserve in what amounted to a "redshirt season."
The Saints also drafted another receiver this year in the 5th round in Oklahoma's Kenny Stills, a player that #16 says he's ready to help develop. "He's an exciting player, I'm anxious to work with him and get him in our offense," Moore said.
The wide receiver position is an area to keep an eye during training camp. Devery Henderson is not in the plans at this point, so someone has to step up and play that 3rd WR role. Veteran special tams ace Courtney Roby is also in the mix for some playing time, but Toon, Morgan, and Stills have the edge.
Kristian@wwl.com - Let me start by saying Tim Tebow might just be the greatest college player of my generation. He was fantastic at Florida, winning two national titles. Tebow seemed to WILL the Florida Gators to win after win. Tim Tebow displayed fantastic leadership ability and was just a tough, gritty player who propelled fans to the stadium and got them glued in front of the TV. If you like college football, this is what it was all about. Tebow was college football.
With that said, please spare me the talk that Tebow could be an NFL starter, or that you would want him as your quarterback. Please spare us he "he hasn't gotten a fair chance" argument. You can't help but root for Tebow, but when you watch him, you get nauseated at his attempt to play quarterback in the NFL.
The Broncos gave Tebow a shot, and concluded they couldn't advance past the second round of post-season with him as their signal caller. The Broncos somehow managed to squeeze a 4th round pick out of the New York Jets for Tebow. I would've paid the Broncos a fourth rounder to keep him. Let me be clear, I wouldn't want Tebow as my backup Quarterback, and certainly wouldn't want him as my starter, unless I was playing a motivational speaker game or college football. He's likable; Tim Tebow's a man of God. All that is nice, but it doesn't help you play quarterback in the NFL.
Tebow would be better served playing in the Arena League. Even then I would have questions about his game. However, the field is smaller…the windows for passing are larger…and he would be a huge draw for fans. There is a reason Tim Tebow went unclaimed on the waiver wire. 32 General Managers and pro scouting guys know the deal. He's not the answer at quarterback. Not to mention it will be a circus with his arrival, just ask the Jets how that went last year. "Yeah, but he won a playoff game with Broncos." I get that argument all the time. Is that the goal? Winning a playoff game…or winning a championship? How are quarterbacks measured? Lombardi trophy collections! That's how! In 37 career games as an NFL QB Tebow has thrown 361 passes and completed 47.9% of those passes. He's just not accurate enough in the pocket. Teams usually want their starting QB's to complete a minimum of 60% of passes.
So, can we end the "I feel sorry for Tebow" party? I don't feel sorry for Tim. He was drafted in the first round by a coach who clearly didn't know what he was doing. He won two national titles at Florida. He has a Heisman trophy. He's a man of God. Tebow is a fantastic human being! He's just not a good NFL quarterback. He's made a decent wage, so what is there to feel sorry about? Tim Tebow was given ample opportunity to prove he can play at the NFL level. His body of work says he can't! Tebow should count his blessings, and the fans should dispense with the love affair of a guy so grossly overrated.
Kristian@wwl.com - A year's worth of work is in the books for the Saints after making five selections in the 2013 NFL draft. Of New Orleans' five picks this year, they spent three on the defensive side of the football and two on offensive. The Saints did well with that they had on the final day, with just two selections.
Another wide receiver: In fifth round of the draft, the Saints grabbed Oklahoma WR Kenny Stills. Stills is praised for his excellent route running ability, and body control. "He runs exceptionally well," said coach Sean Payton. Many talent evaluators considered Stills to be the best route-runner in the Big 12 conference. I like the selection, it's a bigger version of Lance Moore with speed. He'll compete with last year's 4th round pick Nick Toon for time at wide receiver.
Tareleton State: As the Saints like to do, they went small school and grabbed a bit of a "project" player in defensive end Rufus Johnson. Coach Payton said Johnson will likely play outside linebacker in the NFL. Rufus had an impressive season last year with Tareleton, leading the team with 10 sacks and 17.5 tackles for a loss.
Unrestricted free agents: The Saints have a high success rate on finding unrestricted rookie free agents, with a significant portion of their roster is made up of guys that went un-drafted. "That's our number-one pitch to the agents and players," according to Payton. New Orleans now begins the NFL equivalent to recruiting at the college level. Players and agents look at the depth charts of teams before signing a rookie free agent contract.
Moving on: Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis said today, Linebacker Scott Shanle, WR Devery Henderson, and DT Sedrick Ellis "Are probably not a part of our plans for this year." All three players are currently unrestricted free agents. Loomis also said the team will likely sign an un-restricted free agent rookie running back after the draft.
Kristian@wwl.com - The Saints started the day with one pick in round three and ended up with two. Through a few trades, the Saints were able to add a couple of players along the offensive and defensive lines. The Black and Gold grabbed offensive tackle Terron Armstead out of Arkansas Pine Bluff with their first pick in round 3. After trading running back Chris Ivory to the New York Jets; New Orleans packaged that pick and their fourth rounder to Miami to trade up in the third round to grab Georgia Defensive Tackle John Jenkins.
Armstead: It was an obvious need for the Saints, and some experts felt Armstead was a second round talent that slipped right to the Saints. In Armstead, the Saints get an athletic pass rusher to replace Jermon Bushrod. We'll see if he can come in and man that left side from day one, but the Saints love his athleticism. New Orleans has been particularly adept at finding fine offensive lineman in the later stages of the draft, and Armstead looks like another.
Jenkins: He's a huge guy that is needed to play nose tackle in Rob Ryan's 3-4 defense. The Saints spent a lot of time at the Senior Bowl with Jenkins and love his stout figure in stopping the run. Again, another solid selection here for the Saints. It was an area of need, and the Saints used their depth at running back to improve their defense. If you look at the Chris Ivory deal closely, you could argue the Saints got a third round pick for Ivory and used it on Jenkins
Ivory: As much of a fan favorite as he was, it was absolutely the right decision to trade him. The Saints got good value for a player that played a relatively small role for them on offense. Ivory will have a chance to shine in New York, and the Saints address an area of need. New Orleans received good value for Ivory.
A look ahead: The Saints now own a fifth and sixth round pick tomorrow. It will be hard to get back into the fourth round tomorrow. I don't anticipate that happening, but you never know with Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis. The Saints still have some needs at WR, and CB. Perhaps they draft Tulane Quarterback Ryan Griffin as a developmental type player to be the understudy to Drew Brees.
Kristian@wwl.com - I can think of a lot of reasons the Saints could have selected a pass rusher with the 15th overall selection in round 1. I can think of a lot more reasons as to why they did the right thing by taking Vaccaro.
The Saints passing defense was much maligned last year. What do they do in the offseason? Sign Kennan Lewis in free agency, and draft Vaccaro. So much has been made about the production from the Safety position for the Saints. The selection of Vaccaro tells me two things. Safety Roman Harper and Malcolm Jenkins are on notice. Harper and Jenkins have a total of 5 passes defensed in the post-season from 2009 to 2012. By comparison, Scott Shanle has four, Jonathan Vilma has three, and Jabari Greer has 10.
After listening to Coach Sean Payton, it sounds like the Saints plan on using Vaccaro in the “nickel” package a lot. “He’s a guy we felt comfortable with and have a good vision for, and what his skill set is,” explained Payton.
One of the hallmarks of a Sean Payton roster is competition at every position. “Look, we’re going to have competition at both safety spots; we’re going to have completion at the nickel position. This is a good young player we’ll add to our defense and we’ll see what happens.”
The selection of Vaccaro also tells me they like their current collection of pass rushers. Junior Galette, Martez Wilson, and Victor Bulter are “unproven” as outside linebackers, but the three have a lot of upside. I would expect New Orleans to add another pass rusher to the mix at some point over the next two days, and I would also expect them to add another defensive back to the mix. The Saints don’t have a second round pick and don’t pick again until the 75th overall selection.
