Saints Thinking Of Future By Releasing OLB Junior Galette

Let it be known that the New Orleans Saints front office can proudly display the sign, “There’s A New Sheriff In Town” on the front door.

Well not so much a new sheriff, but definitely a new attitude…

Of course I’m talking about the breaking news Friday afternoon about the organization making the decision to release outside linebacker Junior Galette.

Galette told NOLA.com that the Saints decision to release him was the “worst call they’ve ever made” but actually it’s one where they’re looking at the future.

Ever since the domestic issue that has haunted Galette during the offseason, the Saints have reportedly been looking to part ways with the pass rusher who earned a big contract from them last year.

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The thought was that releasing him outright would cripple the team financially. OverTheCap.com is saying the team will have $5.45 million in dead money for 2015 and $12.1 million in dead money for the 2016 season.

Also no other team was looking to trade for Galette and inherit the contract or potential problems he could cause them due to possible suspension regarding the domestic case.

Then to add to the domestic issue there’s the pectoral injury, the video of Junior and his friends spoofing the injury, a video that reportedly showed Galette on the beach involved in a melee where he struck a woman and a video of him being wheeled down a hospital hall as if he’s going into surgery.

Enough was enough for head coach Sean Payton who Junior readily admits was the “trigger” man behind the decision to release him.

To be realistic, you can’t blame Payton for the move since Galette went from being a star player to class clown in the matter of a year and seemed to not play at the same intensity as he once did that made him a fan favorite.

Larry Holder posted this tweet that involved a former teammate of Galette:

From a former #Saints teammate of Galette's: "He stayed focused long enough to get paid then the real junior came out. Sad"
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) July 24, 2015

Sad doesn’t even begin to describe how the situation came to this point or how the Saints seemingly misread the impact Galette would have not just on the field but off of it as well.

The organization has stayed dedicated to it’s mantra of having nothing but positive players and leadership in the locker room and today is the surest sign of that so far.

While the decision to release Galette may sting now especially in the pocketbook for New Orleans, they are thinking of the future.

A team shouldn’t have to sit on pins and needles and wonder what a player is doing and if they will do something to embarrass their team on a constant basis.

I’ll admit I was a huge Galette supporter during his time with the Saints but even I had to take a pause this past season.

Oct 30, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Junior Galette (93) reacts on the sidelines in the fourth quarter. The Saints defeated the Panthers 28-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Just like everyone else I noticed something had changed and it wasn’t for the betterment of the team or for Junior.

Our editor Barry Hirstius has commented on the issue of Galette before and mentioned his antics as being childish and that is sorely evident now.

I’m all for a player having swagger, confidence, bravado, or whatever else you want to call it, but to be childish and immature is total different matter.