Saints Release Smith, Harper, Greer, Vilma

Times are a changing in WhoDat Nation.

Four key defensive players won’t be back with the team in 2014.  The Saints have released linebacker Will Smith, cormerback Jabari Greer, and safety Roman Harper.  The Saints announced that linebacker Jonathan Vilma will not be re-signed.

Cutting Smith clears his $10.4 million salary off the books. Greer would have earned a base salary of $4 million in 2014; his release will result in a $2.65 million cap charge. Harper was due to earn $2.35 million. He counts for more than $3.5 million in dead money.

All three will become free agents as soon as their terminations are reported to the league. Vilma, whose contract is expiring, won’t be eligible to sign with a new team until March 11.