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Saints trim roster to 74, must make 21 moves Saturday

The New Orleans Saints began the process of making their pre-season roster cuts on Friday, but some tough decisions still await the front office.

By 3 p.m. on Saturday, the Saints must be down to a 53-man roster, and after making 15 transactions Friday, the team still has to make another 21 before the deadline.

Friday's cuts included the team waiving former second-round pick Hau'oli Kikaha and releasing veteran return man Brandon Tate, who looked like he was the top candidate for return duties early in the preseason.

By the end of the business day Friday, the Saints waived eight players -- Kikaha, linebacker Jayrone Elliott, defensive tackle Woodrow Hamilton, defensive end Alex Jenkins, defensive lineman Hendry Mondeaux, cornerback Linden Stephens and tight end Deon Yelder.