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Roman Harper | Defensive Back

Team: New Orleans Saints
Age / DOB:  (30) / 12/11/1982
Ht / Wt:  6'1' / 200
College: Alabama
Contract: view contract details
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Saints SS Roman Harper's new contract is worth $10.5 million over three years.
They basically tore up Harper's old deal -- which put him among the NFL's ten highest paid safeties -- and are now guaranteeing only $4 million of a contract worth $3.5 million annually. Harper took a large pay cut, and none of his payments are guaranteed beyond 2013. Harper will compete for snaps with Malcolm Jenkins and Kenny Vaccaro. All three could play in three-safety sets. May 24 - 6:13 PM
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

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Date:
Roman Harper - DB - Saints

Saints SS Roman Harper has agreed to an "extension" that pays him $4 million guaranteed this season.

We've air quoted "extension" because it's actually a pay-cut. Harper had been set to make $5.25 million this season, with $2.6 million of it guaranteed. The extra year, 2015, allows the Saints to stretch out bonus money and cap hits. Harper has no guaranteed money beyond 2013. Considering Harper's nightmarish 2012 play, it's not a bad deal for the 30-year-old safety.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
May 24 - 10:47 AM
Roman Harper - DB - Saints

Saints SS Roman Harper has agreed to a restructured contract.

It's been a long-time coming, but it's unclear what the sides have done. $2.6 million of Harper's $5.25 million base salary became guaranteed by virtue of remaining on the roster through March. It's possible his salary has been slashed to only the guaranteed amount. Harper's play in 2012 would certainly dictate such a move. The full details of the restructure should soon emerge.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
May 24 - 9:41 AM
Roman Harper - DB - Saints

Saints SS Roman Harper received a $2.6 million guarantee on his 2013 base salary when the team kept him on its roster through March.

Harper's full base salary is $5.25 million, but the Saints would now take a cap hit to cut him. Thursday's first-round selection of FS Kenny Vaccaro doesn't necessarily mean Harper will be released, despite rampant speculation he might be. The Saints now seem more likely to keep three safeties, perhaps starting Vaccaro and Malcolm Jenkins. Vaccaro would cover the slot in obvious passing situations, with Harper coming onto the field for a three-safety set.
Source: ESPN.com
Apr 29 - 2:16 PM
Roman Harper - DB - Saints

ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas considers Saints SS Roman Harper a candidate for release.

Coming off a terrible season for a defense that could be plausibly be called the worst of all time, Harper is due a steep $5.35 million between salary and bonuses. Now on the wrong side of 30, Harper will at the very least be asked to take a sizable pay cut.
Source: ESPN.com
Feb 13 - 1:21 PM
Roman Harper - DB - Saints

NFL.com's Jason La Canfora reports SS Roman Harper and DE Will Smith "featured prominently" in the league's investigation of the Saints' bounty program.

According to La Canfora, Harper and Smith were "probed in depth," and could face more severe punishment than the "majority" of the 22-27 players the league believes were involved. If that's the case, they'll be joining MLB Jonathan Vilma, who is reportedly bracing for a 2-8 game suspension. The punishments for all involved could be announced within the week.
Related: Will Smith
Source: NFL.com
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 08:33:00 AM
Roman Harper - DB - Saints

The Saints' 2009-2011 "bounty" program under ex-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is being characterized by the NFL as a "pay for performance" plan that awarded defenders $1,500 for "knockouts" and $1,000 for offensive players the opposing team was forced to cart off the field.

The Saints would often target a particular player, which reminds of Williams' comments to inflict "remember-me shots" on Brett Favre and Peyton Manning in 2009 and 2010. Players "regularly" put money into a cash pool and received payments when they successfully injured opponents. New Orleans is already without a 2012 first-round pick, so the NFL could begin taking away additional draft choices this year and a first-rounder in 2013. Expect discipline to be harsh. It will be discussed further at the league's meetings in March.
Source: ESPN.com
Fri, Mar 2, 2012 03:35:00 PM
Roman Harper - DB - Saints

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Saints are in danger of NFL discipline after maintaining a "bounty program" to take opposing offensive players out of games under former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

Per Schefter, the NFL's investigation began in 2010, when Williams' defense began targeting Brett Favre and Kurt Warner. Between 22 and 27 Saints defenders were allegedly involved, as well as at least one defensive assistant. The league has reportedly reviewed 18,000 documents totaling more than 50,000 pages. New Orleans' discipline may lead to fines, suspensions, and draft-pick forfeiture. Williams is now defensive coordinator for the Rams.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Fri, Mar 2, 2012 03:07:00 PM
Roman Harper - DB - Saints

Saints SS Roman Harper (ankle) is listed as probable for the Divisional round.

The Saints got a mid-week scare when reports claimed Harper's ankle injury was "significant" and he missed Wednesday's practice, but the run-stuffing safety returned to work on Thursday and Friday. Look for Harper to play most of his snaps in the box at San Francisco, working to stop Frank Gore.
Fri, Jan 13, 2012 04:49:00 PM
Roman Harper - DB - Saints

Saints SS Roman Harper told reporters that he plans to play through his "significant" ankle injury in the Divisional round.

Harper didn't practice Wednesday, but did do individual drills. "I'm resting up, getting a little bit better, getting healthier every day," he said. "So I feel good about this weekend. ... I'm moving around well." Harper essentially guaranteed he'll play against San Francisco, so look for him to start.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
Wed, Jan 11, 2012 06:53:00 PM
Roman Harper - DB - Saints

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that Saints SS Roman Harper is dealing with a "significant" ankle injury.

It sounds like a possible high ankle sprain. Harper must have suffered the injury late in last Saturday's win over the Lions. It's "a new one," reports beat writer Jeff Duncan, "and it's significant." Harper is one of the league's better in-the-box, run-support safeties, so his absence would be major against San Francisco's run-first offense in the Divisional round.
Source: Jeff Duncan on Twitter
Wed, Jan 11, 2012 04:08:00 PM
Roman Harper - DB - Saints

Roman Harper was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after stuffing the stat sheet against the Falcons.

Harper won the same honor for his performance against the Bears in Week 2. After coaches film review, Harper was credited with 16 tackles, two altered passes, one sack, one pass defensed, and two tackles for losses in the Saints' 26-23 victory at Atlanta. Harper leads the Saints with 69 tackles and all NFL defensive backs with 6.5 sacks.
Tue, Nov 15, 2011 03:26:00 PM
Roman Harper - DB - Saints

Saints SS Roman Harper (ankle, questionable) will play Sunday in Week 2 against the according to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora.

Teammate Tracy Porter (calf, questionable) is less likely to play. The Bears will take to the air today against the banged up Saints secondary, so expect this one to turn into a track meet. Jay Cutler comes in as our No. 10 ranked quarterback play.
Related: Jay Cutler, Tracy Porter
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 10:21:00 AM
Roman Harper - DB - Saints

Saints SS Roman Harper was diagnosed with a small fracture in his pinkie finger after leaving Thursday's practice.

Harper's status is up in the air for Sunday's preseason game in Oakland, but it's an injury that he can play through in the regular season.
Source: Jeff Duncan on Twitter
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 09:49:00 PM
Roman Harper - DB - Saints

Saints re-signed SS Roman Harper to a four-year, $28.5 million contract.

Unwilling to give New Orleans a hometown discount, Harper lands $16 million in guarantees. A premier in-the-box safety, Harper, tallied 98 tackles, three sacks, an interception, and a career-high six forced fumbles last season. We're willing to give him a pass for his brutal performance in the playoff loss to the Seahawks because he was forced into coverage too often with Malcolm Jenkins sidelined. The Saints will return one of the best safety tandems in the NFL.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Fri, Jul 29, 2011 09:04:00 PM