As a large part of New Orleans still waited for power to be restored after Hurricane Isaac, the Saints had to go about their business and cut 22 players by the 9 p.m. deadline on Friday. There was a surprise or two but no real shocks. WR Joe Morgan and RB Travaris Cadet, undrafted free agents who created plenty of buzz during the preseason, both made the 53-man roster.
Notable cuts: K John Kasay (22nd year, Georgia) -- After a terrific year replacing the injured Garrett Hartley, Kasay, 42, could not overcome their 16-year age difference. The Saints simply saw no compelling reason to release Hartley, who kicked the OT field goal that send them to the Super Bowl in 2009 season and was 42 of 49 in his career before missing 2011 with a groin injury. Kasay went 28 of 34 last year and even converted a 53-yarder. He’ll hook on somewhere, probably before the first game. … C/G Matt Tennant (third year, fifth round in 2010 draft, Boston College) -- He was expected to be the top backup at two positions, but the Saints went with C/G Eric Olsen, who was undrafted in 2010 and played in one game for Denver.
Complete cut list
LB Kadarron Anderson (rookie, Furman), DE Brayton Broughton (rookie, TCU), LB Ezra Butler (1st year, Nevada), QB Sean Canfield (1st year, 7th round in 2010, Oregon State), WR Greg Camarillo (7th year, Stanford) DE Alex Daniels, 1st year, Cincinnati), TE Michael Higgins (2nd year, Nebraska-Omaha), CB Nick Hixson (rookie, Hillsdale), S Jerico Nelson (rookie, Arkansas), OG De’Ontae Pannell (rookie, Penn State),TE Derek Schouman (5th year, 7th round in 2007 draft, Boise State), OT Aderious Simmons (rookie, Arizona State), WR Andy Tanner (1st year, Midwestern State), LB Lawrence Wilson (1st year, sixth round in 2011 draft, Connecticut).
Other moves: Four players were put on the reserve/injured list -- RB Joe Banyard (rookie, UTEP), S Jose Gumbs (rookie, Monmouth), CB Marquis Johnson (3rd year, seventh round in 2010, Alabama), WR Nick Toon (rookie, 4th round, Wisconsin);Two players were put on the reserved/suspended list. DE Will Smith will miss the first four games for his role in the bounty investigation, and LB Ramon Humber will miss the first three games for a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
