The New Orleans Saints purged from defensive stars on Wednesday in the first major salary cap slaughter of the offseason. Jabari Greer, Roman Harper and Will Smith were kindly asked to no longer play for the Saints and were cut by New Orleans effective immediately.
New Orleans is trying to find money any way they can to retain Jimmy Graham but the Saints loss in linebacker Will Smith may be the Oakland Raiders gain. According to Raiders beat writer Vic Tafur, the Black Hole could be absorbing a massive talent in Smith this offseason.
“@JoeyBates2: Should #Raiders go after recently released Roman Harper?” >> maybe. but I can really see DE Smith reuniting with Dennis Allen
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) February 12, 2014
Raiders head coach Dennis Allen was the Saints defensive coach from 2006-2007 and was the secondary coach from 2007-2010. A reunion between Smith and Allen could be likely, as Smith’s injury in 2013 likely reduced his value on the free agent market and the Raiders would love to bargain shop and happen into one of the better defensive lineman on the market.
Oakland needs an edge presence and there’s no guarantee that they’ll land Jadeveon Clowney in the draft this May. Even if they do, having Smith around couldn’t hurt.