August 6, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Roman Harper (41) during training camp practice at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The major news coming out of the New Orleans Saints this weekend is of course Roman Harper’s restructured contract and what it means for the franchise as a whole, but there are a variety of other things to look at as well briefly.

Let’s take a look at the new contract for Harper and more.

NOLA.com Reports Saints Now Have $5.1 Million in Cap Space

Per Nakia Hogan:

The Saints were just $1.6 million below the salary cap before Harper restructured his deal, but the team was able to save $3.44 million against this season’s cap.

Harper is now set to count $3.66 million against the cap, down from $7.1 million. The extra cap space means the Saints now have the 17th most available cap space, according to figures from the NFL Players Association.

 

NOLA.com Has the Full Details of Harper’s Contract

Per Larry Holder:

Harper took a pay cut of $1.5 million this year as part of the deal (from $5.35 million to $3.85 million). But it was a win-win now that he gets almost all of the money up front and doesnt have to worry about being released as a cost-saving measure.
Harper received a signing bonus of $2.91 million, plus a base salary of $840,000 in 2013. He also kept his $100,000 workout bonus.
Next year Harpers salary will drop from $6 million to $2.35 million, with another $800,000 in bonuses. His cap number will drop from $7.9 million in 2014 to $5.87 million.
The new deal now includes an extension into 2015. Harpers salary will be $2.7 million that year, with another $800,000 in bonuses and a cap figure of $4.47 million.

ESPN Details the Saints Running Back Situation

Per Pat Yasinskas:

 Chris Ivory is now with the Jets, but the Saints still have a full stable of capable backs. In his first two NFL seasons, Mark Ingram has rushed for only 1,076 yards combined and has averaged under 4.0 yards per carry. But I expect Ingram to break out in 2013. Health issues have been a problem since he entered the league, but, as the 2012 season went along, he looked more and more comfortable. Despite its great prowess throwing the ball, Sean Payton’s offense stresses a physical, inside running game, which suits Ingram very well. Darren Sproles turns 30 before the season, but he is not at all short on quickness, speed or explosiveness. He is an elite receiving back who has caught 161 balls over his past 29 regular-season games. Pierre Thomas isn’t huge on production numbers, but he is extremely effective on a per-touch basis as a runner or receiver. He could fill in very ably in Ingram’s or Sproles’ role for a short period of time. The Saints use Thomas extremely well. Travaris Cadet could have a small role for New Orleans.

 

ICYMI: We Ask if Sean Payton is Worth His Massive Contract

ICYMI: LT Charles Brown is Dealing With An Injury Already

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July 27, 2012; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Roman Harper (41) during training camp at the team

It’s been a long time coming, but it appears New Orleans Saints veteran safety Roman Harper has finally restructured his massive contract that has been weighing down the team this offseason.

The news shouldn’t come as a surprise with Harper set to see less playing time than usual thanks to the addition of rookie safety Kenny Vaccaro in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft.

There are no details surrounding the transaction yet, but the report comes from NFL.com’s official transaction page.

NOLA.com’s Larry Holder has the details of Harper’s old agreement:

Harper was set to make $5.25 million in base salary this season while holding a $7.1 million cap number. Already $2.6 million of Harper’s base salary is guaranteed this season as the contract stipulation was triggered on the third day of the league year in March. He’s also slated to make a $6 million base in 2014 and would carry a $7.9 million cap figure next season.

It’s an important move for the franchise and one everyone saw coming. The Saints were flirting with being over the cap after signing rookies. Depending on how much cash the team just freed up, the front office will now have some injury insurance money and potentially enough to pursue another free agent.

A league source has confirmed #Saints‘ Roman Harper signed a restructured deal yesterday.

— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) May 24, 2013

The details aren’t official yet, but when they are, be sure to check back with us as we’ll have them posted as soon as we learn them.

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May 23, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan talks with defensive tackle Issako Aaitui and defensive end Greg Romeus and defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker during organized team activities at the Saints training facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

OTAs are officially underway for the New Orleans Saints. Unlike rookie minicamp, the media is actually given access to the event and its players before and after each session.

With that in mind, there is now plenty of news flowing out of New Orleans, some of it good, others bad.

Let’s take a look.

Drew Brees Tells NOLA.com This is First Normal Offseason Since 2009

Per Mike Teiplett (video in link):

 New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees talks about how good it feels to have a “normal” offseason for the first time since Super Bowl hangover, lockout, the bounty scandal and his contract negotiations over the past three years.

 

Rob Ryan Considers Himself Lucky to  be With Saints

Per NOLA.com’s Mike Teiplett:

“It’s awesome. I got lucky,” Ryan said in his first interview session with the New Orleans media Thursday. “I’m fortunate enough to be with a great program like the Saints, led by Sean Payton. I haven’t felt this way since I was in New England with Bill Belichick. So I’m working for the best and I hope to be a small part of our success.”

“These guys have been well-coached before. They’re smart. They’re just ready to win,” Ryan said. “I think we all have a chip on our shoulder after last season. I don’t like getting fired. I knew I’d have a job in five minutes (his infamous quote right after the Dallas firing), so it was no big deal. I know I got my feelings hurt and so did our players. We’re looking to do something about it. …

 

NOLA.com Reports Saints Cut DE Greg Romeus

Per Katherine Terrell:

The New Orleans Saints have waived defensive end Greg Romeus, the team announced on Thursday afternoon. Romeus was a former seventh round draft pick out of Pittsburgh in 2011.
Romeus did not take any snaps with the Saints during his first two seasons while recovering from a pair of knee injuries. He tore his right ACL as a senior at Pittsburgh, while also being hampered by a back injury.

He was a potential early pick in the 2010 NFL draft after being named the Big East co-defensive player of the year in 2009. But after returning for his senior season, he had to have surgery for back pain.

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