New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton told reporters this week at the NFL owners meetings that middle linebacker Curtis Lofton was cut earlier this month because of his football value relative to his paycheck.

Lofton was a team captain and had 145 tackles, which was fourth in the NFL. The Oakland Raiders signed Lofton to a three year, $18 million deal. The team expects him to be a key to the defense.

In other Raiders notes:

• The National Football Post reports that the Raiders invited quarterback Austin Trainor to their May rookie minicamp. The team will decide whether to sign him then. He went undrafted last year, and his best bet is likely to be a camp arm this year.

• In an Insider piece, ESPN's Matt Williamson ranked the Raiders' signing of center Rodney Hudson as the seventh biggest impact addition this offseason.