Posted by Josh KatzowitzLast year, Andy Benoit and I had quite a debate about whether Saints starting RT Jon Stinchcomb should be included on a top-five list of all the NFL tackles. I said yes. Andy ridiculed me for that, writing, “If putting Stinchcomb on your list is meant as a joke, that’s funny. If you’re being serious, that’s even funnier.”
I was serious, but apparently, Saints coach Sean Payton leans more toward Andy’s way of thinking.
That’s because, as Rapid Reporter Larry Holder writes, Payton released Stinchcomb on Monday, ending his eight-season tenure in New Orleans.
The reason: as Payton said, via the New Orleans Times Picayune, the Saints wanted to try out younger players like Zach Strief and Charles Brown. Though Payton considered keeping Stinchcomb, who was due to make $2.25 million this year, ultimately he wanted to give more reps to the younger players.
"It's hard,” Strief said after practice, via the Saints official site. “It's like someone telling you that you get something you always wanted but at the detriment to your brother."
Said QB Drew Brees: "One of the greatest teammates I've ever had. Obviously he's going to be missed."
And I’m pretty sure Stinchcomb won’t be on anybody’s top-five list this year.
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