The Saints had one big surprise as they reduced their roster to 75 players on Monday, terminating the contract of a veteran who was expected to make the final roster of 53. The other players on the list did not have a realistic chance to stick around.

Notable cuts: DT Remi Ayodele (6th year, Oklahoma) -- Ayodele spent three years with the Saints from 2008 to 2010, starting all 16 games in 2010 and scoring in the Super Bowl season of 2009 when he returned New York Jets' Mark Sanchez's fumble for a TD. He left for Minnesota as a free agent in 2011 but was released last March, returning to the Saints in May. His departure means the Saints almost certainly will keep Tom Johnson, a second-year pro, as a backup along with promising rookie Akiem Hicks. … WR Marques Clark (rookie, Henderson State) -- The Saints signed Clark at the suggestion of QB Drew Brees, who worked out with him in the offseason in San Diego and liked what he saw even though Clark had not played since his college career ended in 2006 at Henderson State. Nice story, impossible dream. Clark did not catch a pass in the preseason. … QB Luke McCown (9th year, Louisiana Tech) -- He has fallen fast since starting for Jacksonville on the opening weekend last year. The Saints signed him as insurance in case Brees held out and barely played him in the preseason (9 completions, 16 attempts).

Complete cut list

LB Aaron Tevis (rookie, undrafted, Boise State), C Brian Folkerts (rookie, undrafted, Washburn), TE Jake Byrne (rookie, undrafted, Wisconsin), S Johnny Thomas (rookie, undrafted, Oklahoma State), WR Derek Moye (rookie, undrafted, Penn State), G Paul Fenaroli (1st year, undrafted, Stony Brook) OT Hutch Eckerson (1st year, undrafted, South Carolina), DE Donovan Robinson (rookie, undrafted, Jackson State), WR Kevin Hardy (rookie, undrafted, The Citadel), CB Kamaal McIlwain (1st year, undrafted, Newberry), DT Swanson Miller (1st year, undrafted, Oklahoma State), CB Cord Parks (1st year, undrafted, Northeastern).

Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on twitter @CBSSportsNFLNO.