Saints to cut Sproles if no trade

ByMIKE TRIPLETT
March 7, 2014, 7:15 PM

— -- The New Orleans Saints will continue their roster overhaul by releasing running back Darren Sproles if they aren't able to trade him, according to multiple media reports.

Sproles, 30, has been one of the Saints' most dynamic offensive weapons over the past three years. So his release would come as an even bigger surprise than the recent decisions to part ways with receiver Lance Moore and defensive veterans Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma, Roman Harper and Jabari Greer.

However, Sproles' production started to dip last year, and the Saints might be banking on a steeper decline in the near future. Sproles was due to receive $3.5 million in salary and bonuses this year in the final year of his contract -- all of which can be saved against the salary cap.

Sproles alluded to a potential departure from New Orleans on Twitter.

Thank you New Orleans for your support over the past 3 years! I will always be forever grateful. #WhoDat

- Darren Sproles (@DarrenSproles) March 8, 2014

The Saints are an estimated $2 million-$4 million under the salary cap after releasing Moore on Friday. They have also been shopping running back Pierre Thomas as possible trade bait, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Sproles set the NFL record for all-purpose yards in a season with 2,696 in 2011, when he first joined the Saints as a free agent from the San Diego Chargers. During his three years in New Orleans, he has amassed 1,067 rushing yards, 1,981 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns.

However, Sproles played in only about 33 percent of the Saints' offensive snaps during the 15 games in which he was active last year. And his numbers were slightly down from years past (220 rushing yards , 71 receptions for 604 yards, four total touchdowns.)

Both Sproles and Thomas, 29, could also be more expendable because of the emergence of younger, cheaper running backs Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson late last season.

Sproles, one of the most dynamic all-purpose men in league history, began his career with the Chargers in 2005. The 5-foot-6, 190-pounder has 15,492 all-purpose yards in his career -- and the most in the NFL since 2007 (13,806).

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The Saints are an estimated $2 million-$4 million under the salary cap after releasing Moore on Friday. They have also been shopping running back Pierre Thomas as possible trade bait, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Sproles set the NFL record for all-purpose yards in a season with 2,696 in 2011, when he first joined the Saints as a free agent from the San Diego Chargers. During his three years in New Orleans, he has amassed 1,067 rushing yards, 1,981 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns.

However, Sproles played in only about 33 percent of the Saints' offensive snaps during the 15 games in which he was active last year. And his numbers were slightly down from years past (220 rushing yards , 71 receptions for 604 yards, four total touchdowns.)

Both Sproles and Thomas, 29, could also be more expendable because of the emergence of younger, cheaper running backs Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson late last season.

Sproles, one of the most dynamic all-purpose men in league history, began his career with the Chargers in 2005. The 5-foot-6, 190-pounder has 15,492 all-purpose yards in his career -- and the most in the NFL since 2007 (13,806).

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