It raised some eyebrows this week when the Saints released rookie linebacker Khari Fortt.
After all, fourth-round picks usually get a few years to make an impact, especially considering the Saints burned their lone IR/designated for return spot on him after his preseason leg injury.
But all apparently was not well with the promising linebacker, who was claimed off waivers by the Bengals.
According to Katherine Terrell of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Fortt had missed several meetings just before his release. (Which makes it kind of surprising the Jets didn’t claim him to start at quarterback this week.)
Saints coach Sean Payton replied “No comment,” when asked about the move, but Bengals coach Marvin Lewis was glad to have an opportunity to grab a player many valued not too long ago.
“Things happened, and obviously New Orleans cut the cord, and so we’ve got a new player,” Lewis said.
It’s still strange that the Saints would choose to make an example of Fortt so quickly, although their 2-3 start suggests that they need a little shaking up.
But he traveled with the team to Dallas two weeks ago, so there’s little indication he was a persistent problem. His locker was cleared out Monday by the time reporters were admitted, as if he were never there.
Of course, he was also viewed as an odd fit with the Saints, a 4-3 outside linebacker in college being moved to the middle of a 3-4 at the pro level.
“We’ve got a great piece of clay here. He’s got a lot of position flexibility. But he’ll help us this year,” defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said this offseason.
Instead, they rolled him out to the curb before ever getting to see him play.