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Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith take pay cuts to stay with Saints

Will Smith (above) and Jonathan Vilma took pay cuts to stay with the Saints. (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images Sport)

Will Smith (above) and Jonathan Vilma took pay cuts to stay with the Saints. (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images Sport)

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive end Will Smith agreed to take pay cuts so they could remain with the team, reports The Times-Picayune's Larry Holder.

Vilma's cap number of $8.6325 million was cut to $3.8325 million, and Smith's number of $14.502 million was reduced to $8.502 million. The moves came before Tuesday's 3 p.m. deadline for the Saints to get under the salary cap, Holder reports.

Vilma has spent the past five years with New Orleans and is a three-time Pro Bowl selection. Smith has played his entire nine-year career with the Saints.

Both defenders will be adjusting to new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's 3-4 defense this season.

For more of the latest NFL news, check out SI.com’s NFL Free-Agent Tracker. 

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