Saints Release S Roman Harper

Update:

#Saints part ways with Jabari Greer, Roman Harper, Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma http://t.co/I5Nbmqh6AL pic.twitter.com/qPWayjp6i6

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) February 12, 2014

 

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The Saints were expected to start shedding salary on Wednesday, and although no transactions were announced by the NFL today, it appears as though New Orleans has released DE Will Smith and S Roman Harper.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported Tuesday night that both players could be released among others on the Saints roster, so these moves would not come as much of a surprise.

• Releasing Harper will create $2.18 million in cap space and save the team $3.15 million in cash.
• Brian McIntyre mentions that Harper had a $650,000 roster bonus coming his way on March 13.

Harper, 31, was selected with the second-round pick of the 2006 NFL draft. He actually reworked his contract back in May, but given that rookie S Kenny Vaccaro stepped in and played as well as he did, the Saints can take the cap relief and look for a younger replacement, most likely in the draft.

Harper totaled 39 tackles, one interception and a fumble recovery in nine games for the Saints this season.