Another former New Orleans Saints player is back on the free-agent market after the Pittsburgh Steelers released receiver Lance Moore on Monday.
Moore had requested the release, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, after playing a minor role in his one season with the Steelers. Moore caught just 14 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns in Pittsburgh.
Naturally the question that pops up now is whether the Saints would have any interest in bringing back Moore -- much like they did with receiver Robert Meachem in 2013 after he flamed out with the San Diego Chargers.
The circumstances are different, though. The Saints actually chose to release Moore one year ago (whereas Meachem left for big money as a free agent). And the Saints had an opening when they brought Meachem back because of a summer injury to receiver Joe Morgan, who played a similar role.
In this case, there's not an obvious roster opening for Moore, since the Saints have good depth with Marques Colston, Brandin Cooks, Kenny Stills, Nick Toon and a group of 2014 rookies who have shown some potential.
However, I wouldn't completely rule out the idea of a reunion -- especially if the Saints wind up releasing Colston instead of working out a pay cut with him. If the Saints decide they want some affordable veteran depth, it's hard to imagine them trusting anyone more than the sure-handed 5-foot-9, 190-pound Moore, who caught 346 passes for 4,281 yards and 38 touchdowns from 2006-2013.
Moore joins running back Reggie Bush as former Saints teammates now looking for new homes after Bush was released last week by the Detroit Lions.
Payton on Mark Ingram, Jairus Byrd, free agency: Saints coach Sean Payton talked briefly about free agency during Monday night's Fox regional broadcast of the NBA tilt between the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks. The New Orleans Advocate's Nick Underhill posted a transcript of the interview. Among the highlights:
Payton said he had just spoken to free-agent running back Mark Ingram earlier in the day and reiterated his desire to keep Ingram in New Orleans.
He said safety Jairus Byrd is doing well in his rehab from knee surgery and should be 100 percent within two or three weeks.
He said the Saints will have a few free agents come in for visits as early as this week -- meaning players that have already been released by other teams -- instead of waiting for the three-day negotiating period for all unrestricted free agents to open on Saturday.