UFA safety Sharper is likely to stay with Saints

According to latest reports, the New Orleans Saints unrestricted free agent Darren Sharper has finished his visit with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the most important point was, he left without receiving a contract offer. So there is still good chance for the veteran safety to wear back the Saints jersey.

With nine interception during the 2009 season, Sharper helped build up one of the most fierce secondaries in the league for the Saints and is highly expected to return with the team for more seasons. Actually, both the player and the team are hoping for a long-term relationship, but the problem is the 34-year-old veteran is asking for a high way while the Saints are not willing to overpay. While contract negotiation is still going on between the two sides, Sharper takes his actions to visit other teams that hold interests in him. Still, there is money issue. It’s hard to believe there would be any team willing to pay higher than the Saints.

On the other side, the Saints are not staying still waiting for Sharper’s decision. On the same day when Sharper made his visit to Jaguars, the Saints welcomed free agent linebacker Clint Ingram from the Jaguars. Reportedly, Ingram is highly expected to join the Saints and solve the problem with outside linebacker. Does that have anything with Sharper’s return? Well, with the outside linebacker being no more big issue, the Saints now have much room to make moves with positions like cornerback and safety. What’s very likely to happen is that rookie cornerback Patrick Robinson’s arrival will allow the Saints to move veteran Malcolm Jenkins to safety as replacement for Sharper if the latter chooses not to return. Then the advantage is not really laying the Sharper’s side. He is now old and replaceable, if there is an offer, he’d better sign it soon.

Saints safety Sharper had knee surgery

The New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper will not make his decision on his career future as a free agent until he is fully recovered from the knee surgery that was performed on Monday to correct a lingering knee issue.

Before the surgery, Sharper was believed to have to miss two games because of the very knee injury last season, the sixth season that he did not played in all 16 regular-season game since putting on NFL jersey. Fortunately, the injury did not prevent him from playing for the Saints in the Super Bowl victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

By so far, Sharper has not offered any information about where to go after becoming a free agent, but there is common belief that he will re-sign with the Super Bowl Champion team, who is also believed to want Sharper back. Before the free agency began last Friday, the Saints did not take the expected action to place the franchise tag on Sharper, however, it is still believed that there would be at least a one-year contract worth $1.7 million to retain Sharper for the 2010 season.

Saints are unlikely to tag safety Sharper

Although veteran safety Darren Sharper made great contribution to the New Orleans Saints’ Super Bowl win and a lot of fans believe that he should be retained for 2010 season, the possibility of the Saints placing a franchise tag on him seems unlikely.

Tagging Sharper would be an expensive move to the Saints. Signing the safety as a free agent last march with $1.7 million deal, the Saints would have to pay Sharper $6.455 million this season for placing franchise tag on him. Also, Sharper is turning 35 this year, meaning that there will be few seasons left for him to continue playing football in NFL jerseys, and that should be included in Saints’ consideration before they make decision on a deal with Sharper.

If the Saints do not tag Sharper, he will become a free agent on March 5 and then has the right choose what team to join. Will the Saints have a deal with him or just let him walk away to make his own choice with other teams? It remains a question to be answered in this offseason.