The New Orleans Saints have released the longest tenured player on their football team.  Wide receiver Lance Moore sent a farewell tweet out to Saints fans this morning.

@LanceMoore16/twitter
@LanceMoore16/twitter
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According to the NFL's official transaction wire, Moore was released earlier today.

At 30 years old, Moore was the last remaining Saints from the Jim Haslett era. He was a member of the practice squad in 2005. In 2006, the Sean Payton/Drew Brees era began, Moore was on the active roster for the first 4 games of the season, before heading back to the practice squad. In 2007, Moore's hard work and persistence paid off, as he was on the active roster for all 53 games.

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
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It was the beginning of a solid career with the Saints. He ranks sixth in franchise history in receiving yards (4,281) and fifth in receiving touchdowns (38).

His best season came in 2012, when he hauled in 65 catches for 1,041 yards and 6 touchdowns.

After reports surfaced yesterday that Moore, along with running backs Pierre Thomas and Lance Sproles were on the trade market, Moore tweeted a message saying it was the first he'd heard about it. If that's the case, news of his release may have caught him by surprise.

The Saints are already teetering near the salary cap line ($133 million) and need to free up money for free agency, as well as tight end Jimmy Graham. By releasing Moore, the Saints save $2.5 million this season, but the number could increase to $3.8 million if they designate him as a post-June 1 roster move.

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