The New Orleans Saints released veteran right tackle Jon Stinchcomb today, clearing the way for Zach Strief or Charles Brown to claim the job.
According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, it was a difficult move for general manager Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton as both men held the second-round pick from 2003 in high regard. Stinchcomb was the longest-tenured player on the roster.
"He's gonna be on the 'Wall of Fame' that we have down our hallway, and I think he should be in the Saints' Hall of Fame one day," Loomis said. "He's meant a lot to our organization, for a number of reasons, including his play on the field."
Strief figures to be the leading candidate for the job. He re-signed with the Saints after receiving at least one offer from another NFC club. Brown was a second-round pick a year ago, but Strief has experience playing in the system.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Stinchcomb. He was a Pro Bowl choice in 2009 but played through a knee issue last season and his performance struggled.
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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune