Saints LB Dannell Ellerbe acquired in Kenny Stills trade agrees to restructure contract to help cap
If you haven’t heard, the New Orleans Saints made another big move on Friday by trading WR Kenny Stills to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for LB Dannell Ellerbe and a third-round draft pick.
Much of the Who Dat Nation seems skeptical of the whole situation. The situation being the release and trades of some serious key players. However, fans should relax — some fresh, intriguing faces along with a handful of draft picks have been given to Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis and company in return.
Super excited bout joining my new team!!! Can't wait to ball this year!!! #CantStopWhatsInGODSPLAN
— Dannell Ellerbe (@ellerbe59) March 13, 2015
Instead of rebuilding and tearing the team apart, it looks like the Saints are rebuilding and taking an “all-in” approach before Drew Brees calls it quits.
But back to Dannell Ellerbe. The interior linebacker will be taking his talents FROM South Beach to the Crescent City. After finding out he’d be leaving the luxurious Miami life, Ellerbe has already agreed to restructure his contract with New Orleans to help the cap. What a generous guy, right?
Here’s the situation though — before the restructure, Ellerbe had the third-highest cap burden on the team at $8.425 million behind only Brees and guard Jahri Evans. The Dolphins will have to account for $4.2 million in “dead money.” Evans may be getting some news soon as well — we’ll be waiting on that.
Ellerbe, 29, debuted for the Baltimore Ravens in 2009 after going undrafted out of the University of Georgia. Molding behind the great Ray Lewis, Ellerbe was part of the Ravens’ 2012 Super Bowl team.
He signed with the Dolphins in 2013, finishing with a solid 101 tackles, five passes defended, two interceptions and a sack. However, his 2014 season was cut short by 15 games after suffering a brutal hip injury.
Can't wait to be back to 100% and doing what I love to do!!! #footballislife
— Dannell Ellerbe (@ellerbe59) March 13, 2015
The figures after the restructure are not yet in for Dannell Ellerbe, and New Orleans’ cap space is limited, but with financial genius Mickey Loomis working his magic, I believe the Saints and their newest addition at linebacker will work out a plan that keeps both parties happy.