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It isn't a catechism of whether Reggie Bush will booty a pay cut, alone for which NFL aggregation he will comedy at a bargain salary.

Honestly, because the constant abatement of Bush's numbers -- his accumulated rushing/receiving yards accept alone every division back 2006, his amateur year, and the cardinal of amateur he has played anniversary division about has done the aforementioned -- there's acumen to accept he'll never afresh bout those career highs of 1,307 yards from flat and 16 regular-season amateur in '06.

In best NFL cities, the chat for a amateur like that, who's appointed to acquire $11.8 actor and calculation $16 actor adjoin the bacon cap, is "luxury" rather than "necessity." The characterization is "situational" rather than "star." And the Saints, to their credit, accept accurate time and afresh that their breach doesn't dip in assembly back Bush's assorted talents aren't available.

So if Bush were to be cut because the Saints need to purge salary, and not re-signed because the franchise believes it can function smoothly without him or because he believes he's more valuable and should be better compensated than the Saints are willing to offer, it's not like it would signal the end of New Orleans' offense as we know it.

It's not as if his role has amounted to much more than cameo appearances the past few seasons, a role he obviously believes will dwindle now that the Saints have added first-round pick Mark Ingram to the mix at running back.

The fact is, Bush has nothing with which to leverage the Saints.

That's not to say he can't still be a useful player for the Saints, capable of producing several "Wow" plays per season. Bush may no longer be a game-breaker, and no longer may be the decoy he's chalked up to be -- it's hard to be either when you're not wearing pads on gameday -- but few coaches have worked harder than Saints Coach Sean Payton to max out Bush's appearances.

And the truth is, because of that final fact, Bush actually would be better off if he found a way to remain a Saint.

Obviously, Payton probably isn't -- and shouldn't be -- interested in giving up on Bush, his first draft pick as a head coach, a player who was exactly what the franchise needed when it returned to New Orleans after its temporary, Katrina-forced relocation to San Antonio.

But that star wattage has dimmed considerably, a dip paralleled by his increased inability to make people miss and to stay healthy.

Arguably, Bush has made bigger headlines off the field for his love interests, Heisman Trophy scandal and tweets than he has made on the field for ankle-breaking cuts, world-class speed and supreme athleticism in his career.

So whoever believes the Saints can't make due without his contribution simply is blinded by loyalty, or stuck on the belief that we haven't yet seen the best of Bush.

I'll admit there seems to be validity to that stance. Bush only is 26, an age at which athletes are in or are entering their physical prime. He doesn't have a ton of wear on his body. He has played in 60 of a possible 80 regular-season games. He's a fabulous receiver and on occasion. He reminds Saints fans why they were so euphoric when the Texans chose defensive end Mario Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in '06, which dropped Bush into New Orleans' lap.

But wilting numbers and a lack of availability say the Saints comfortably can make due without Bush.

The addition of Ingram, the return to health of Pierre Thomas, the improvement of Chris Ivory and the likelihood that New Orleans can find another player who can average 7.8 yards per punt return, say that Bush isn't irreplaceable as a running back and returner.

Everyone knows his value is diminished, which is why we all know he won't pocket anything close to the salary he's scheduled to make this season.

The only uncertainty is whether the Saints will be the franchise picking up the smaller tab.

They shouldn't, based on previous returns on the investment, returns that have been diminishing.

That's not to suggest the franchise doesn't want to retain Bush, or that he doesn't want to hang around for the right price. But a compelling, convincing stance can be taken that the Saints don't need Bush, regardless of price, that his decrease in productivity is a career arc.

And it's always best to part ways before the player totally bottoms out.

The gates were up, training accessories were open, and NFL players were accustomed aback in Tuesday to accommodated with coaches, assignment out, booty physicals, and accept playbooks.

Teams additionally were accustomed to assurance their drafted players and undrafted chargeless agents, and accommodate with chargeless agents.

Marquee disappointments-turned-distractions Donovan McNabb and Albert Haynesworth were still on the Washington Redskins roster.

Neither McNabb nor Haynesworth was amid the aboriginal arrivals, hardly a abruptness accustomed the abiding acerbity from aftermost season. McNabb was benched alert by drillmaster Mike Shanahan and demoted to third cord for the final three games, while Haynesworth feuded generally with the drillmaster and was abeyant for the final four games.

The lockout meant Shanahan couldn't barter or absolution the above Eagles quarterback or the arresting accouterment until this week. 

he Minnesota Vikings are among a few teams that have had trade discussions with Washington about McNabb, according to ESPN.com, which cited league sources.

Receiver Santana Moss was the first of the Redskins' free agents to return to the fold, agreeing to a three-year, $15 million deal that includes a $5 million signing bonus, according to ESPN.

Cowboys shed salaries. Dallas told running back Marion Barber, receiver Roy Williams, right guard Leonard Davis, and kicker Kris Brown that they would be cut when the league allows that on Thursday, people familiar with the decisions told the Associated Press.

The moves would save the Cowboys about $16.6 million in cap room. Removing Davis clears $6 million, Williams another $5 million, Barber $4.75 million, and Brown $910,000.

Right tackle Marc Colombo said he was told that he, too, could be gone. His departure would free more than $2 million. He also could return at a cheaper rate.

The Cowboys are expected to try restructuring the contracts of Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware, and Miles Austin to clear more cap room.

Giants moves. New York plans to release center and player representative Shaun O'Hara and guard Rich Seubert in a salary cap move.

Tackle Shawn Andrews, who played in 13 games and started seven last season, tweeted that he and the team failed to rework the six-year, $32 million contract he signed last year. The former Eagle also tweeted that things weren't over, but that might mean his career rather than his time with the Giants.

Team sources also told ESPN.com that the Giants are dicussing a potential return with wide receiver Plaxico Burress.

No trade for Palmer. Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown insisted that he won't trade quarterback Carson Palmer, who wants to leave one of the NFL's least-successful franchises.

Palmer, who has four years remaining on his contract, told the team in January that he would retire if he is not traded. The Bengals have only two winning seasons in the last 20 years.

Brown said the club will move on without its franchise quarterback.

Hasselbeck replaced. Tarvaris Jackson is in as Seattle's next quarterback and Matt Hasselbeck reportedly is looking elsewhere.

A person with knowledge of the situation told the AP that Jackson has agreed to terms with the Seahawks.

Reports surfaced that the Seahawks told Hasselbeck he was no longer in their plans.

Panthers, Johnson have deal. Carolina agreed to a six-year contract with free-agent defensive end Charles Johnson worth $72 million. He will receive a $30 million signing bonus. He said he plans to sign the deal Friday.