Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper wants to return to the Super Bowl champions. However, the fact that the Saints will allow Sharper to test free agency -- he was notified Monday that they wouldn't retain him with a franchise tag -- tells him that New Orleans is prepared to move on without him.

"They said they want me back, but if you want someone back, why are you going to let them test the market?," Sharper said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "I don't know how much they want me back if they're allowing other teams to bid for my services. Being in this situation before, if a team is willing to let you test the market, they're willing to let you go."


Sharper, 34, earned Pro Bowl honors in 2009 after tying for a league-high nine interceptions and helped the Saints win their first Super Bowl title.
Sharper signed a one-year, $1.7 million free-agent deal with the Saints last year after being released by the Minnesota Vikings. Free agency begins March 5.


Sharper said he won't come as cheap as he did last year, be it with the Saints or anyone else. He didn't specify a price range but said he has a "couple good years left." If he's driving to earn a sizeable payday, he has to hope there are suitors. There weren't many last offseason, which is why Sharper signed with the Saints at such an affordable price.


"I'm going to want to be compensated market value," Sharper said. "Hopefully things work out (with the Saints). I know the system, and the team was more successful once I got there. They know the value. It's simple economics. You pay someone what they deserve. I was a bargain deal last year.


"It's tough because the fan base is great, and we had something special and we have a chance to repeat. It would be bad if I wasn't able to return. We'll see if they make me an offer that is competitive."


Had the Saints opted to use the franchise tag on Sharper, they would've had to pay him $6.455 million next season. By declining that price tag, the team seemingly could offer Sharper a deal that could pay him that salary or more over multiple years but not that much in 2010 -- if they opt to try to retain him.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

relax ... relax ... they'll come to an agreement!

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Both sides will be stupid to walk away. This would be like letting Brees go this year as well.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

personally i am relaxed...he wants to be here, they will make a fair offer i'm sure...only way we lose him is if a decent team steps up with bigger money. but i don't know if that will happen given his age and the fact he needs a certain kind of scheme to be successful. one that lets him roam like ours does.

I don't think he would leave for a team like the raiders, skins, or lions if they offered more money. He has stated his biggest reason for wanting to stay was to repeat so i doubt he would leave us for a bottom feeder even for better money.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

not sure it would be THAT bad but i get your point.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Malcolm Jenkins or Usama Young or Chip Vaughn need to be prepared to step up if he goes. Or the Saints sign A. Rolle. The fact of the matter is that Sharper looked quite human when Porter and Greer went down. They are the strength of our secondary IMHO.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

It won't be Young. Guy really hasn't became much, but he wasn't drafted high so it's not a big loss. I feel Jenkins is the real deal. he had a solid season and made key plays. he stepped in the last half of the SB and had 2 batted passes, one was almost an INT and Young stepped in for one play and got burned for a TD.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Both sides know he is not worth 6.5 mil. I see the saints signing him for 2 more years at that price. 3.25 a year is a great deal for him.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Brees contract is not up till 2011. I see your point though, I want sharper back. My all time favorite safety was Sammy knight though

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

sorry man this is a buyers market while labor talks continue.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Good move by the Saints. Very wise decision to let him test the market. I suspect he will get a couple decent offers that the Saints would be willing to match, there is just no way to justify locking him up with franchise tag and paying him 6.5 at this point. I know he had a great season, but as all older veterans go, you never really know when the body will break down. My guess is he will eventually get a two year deal from the Saints.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

He's gonna sign 1 more year. It's all hear say.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Drew Bree's new contract = Can't overpay for anyone else on our roster.

I trust SP, GW, and Loomis to make the right call on this.

He's a good player, but I have a feeling Gregg Williams has a nice little list of players he can insert at FS and get similar results from.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Exactly.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

I love Sharper and hope we find a way to keep him, it's going to be tough, im surprised.. VERY Surprised Charles Grant wasn't immediately released or used as trade (if he has any left), that would clear up some room, and probably let go a few other scrubs, we need to make sure we keep our defense happy, if we can have Sharper and Will Smith as Vets along with Vilma, etc as leaders omg!! we'd be building for a dynasty.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

i hate to say it but sharper was reaching/ hoping we put the tag on him to get that last big payday then possibly retire after next season. but loomis knows what hes doing. if sharper wants to play for a winner which he came here in the first place for he'll be back again, just not for the 6mil plus he were reaching for. we love ya darren but you have to respect the organization for what were doing for you.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

I just have a feeling that Malcolm Jenkins is getting closer to the middle of the field every second that goes by...

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

I agree.
At this point, Loomis has proven to be the best GM the Saints ever had.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Did Chicago cut Bullocks yet?

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

sharper was pretty pedestrian aside from the 9 INTs which led the league

thats why he wasnt considered for the Defensive MVP honor

sharper had an outstanding season and his returns for TDs came in crucial moments of games

but we also had several other players with defensive TDs including the 1 in the super bowl

i expect to have sharper back....there was no reason to franchise a veteran with 1 or 2 more years left when we have more important issues like 2 starting offensive linemen

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Sharper can only help a team who has at least one high quality shut down corner and a decent pass rush. Speed at olb also helps as he's allowed to freelance without over conern for TE. You can count on one hand those teams with the profile and system that could use a 34 yo safety. He's worth 3.25/ no more. But give him a 2.0 signing bonus + incentives and he'll be a saint.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

He'll be back.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

I am really confused here. We talk about Reggie's money next year, and whether or not he should be kept or not, and people here get up in arms about it, saying things like, "It's an uncapped year, why do WE care how much Reggie gets paid?" Well, if it's still an uncapped year, then WHY should we care what Sharper gets paid?

Say what you want about him, but coincidence shows that we had no superbowls before we signed him, and now we have one, the first season after we signed him. Why does Reggie deserve 8 million on a sub par year, and Sharper doesn't deserve 6.5, on a great year? If anything, Sharper might be older, but he's proved himself, where as Reggie has averaged a mediocre career at best. Although I am sure SOMEONE will come up with an excuse on why this justifiable.....

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Ok, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say I don't 100% understand this whole "free agent market" crap. I'm still learning, so bear with me.

With that said, I don't see how this will work in our favor. Why not put the franchise tag on him?? Why would they even want him to test the market?? This is a VERY stupid idea IMO. Either Loomis is still hungover from the Mardi Gras/Super Bowl festivities, or he's just foolish. Sharper said it himself, "If they're willing to put you out there to test the market, chances are, they don't want you back." I hope the FO gets their sh*t in gear and signs him for another couple of years.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Free Agency is tricky but there isn't a team out there that will sign Sharper for $6 million dollars for 2010. Sharper had a great season but there is no way you can pay him that much money at his age. Loomis will probably make him a 2 year offer that will pay a total $5-6 million and Sharper will be back. With all the FA the Saints have to sign even if there is an uncapped year you can't overpay all of them. The ones that will suffer will be us fans that will have shell out $20 for a beer at the game to pay for it.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

By not putting the TAG on him they don't have to pay him 6.5 and can match someones else's offer at a lower price. If another teams offers him 6.5 or more we can still match or just let him walk. It was less of letting him test the market and more of the Saints having leverage on price negotiations. If Sharper only gets an offer of 1.5 mil for one year we can match or give him 2 mil to retire a saint. Sharper won't run to another team if we match.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

I really hope this works out. Young just isn't quite ready yet. Yes, he got burned on a TD and if it is the one I am thinking about....I think in was going for a play on the ball. I won't fault a CB for going after an INT.

This should work out. I think the FO is tring to get a price range to start at.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Sharper didn't sound happy. Everything he said was past tense and he didn't say anything about the future. He has a right to be upset. I believe that Loomis has a plan and knows what he's doing

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Let him go ... move jenkins to saftey (a better fit for him) and bring in Cromartie from the chargers at Corner smells like two pete

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

THIS guy is not ready.... maybe two more years at best.. talking about MJ

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Sounds to me like Darren's agent pumped him full of unrealistic expectations and he got dissappointed when he didn't get the francise price he was expecting. Nobody is going to pay a 34yr old safety 6.5million for 1 year deal. Period. I just hope Darren comes to his senses and doesn't pull a Joe Horn.
I think Loomis knows what he's doing.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Not franchising him actually opens the potential for even higher pay.

If someone wants Sharper and they offer an even larger #$ the Saints would have to match or beat that to keep him.

Maybe they are allowing the market to price Darren for them.

None of us know. What I do know for a fact is the Saints staff just
won a super bowl for us so I trust their judgement.

Some of us remember the Ditka years, so yea.


:^p

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

No matter what - we need him. He provides the backfield with the fire they need. Much like Vilma does for the defensive front

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Still curious, as to why my question is being avoided.... Why is Reggie irreplaceable, and it's ridiculous to question paying him 8 million, but it's completely ok to question giving Sharper considerably less than that, because, "Loomis and Payton know what they are doing,"? Age, yes, big difference, but playmaking ability? There is no question on that side of things.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

I'm just sitting here watching the Saints/Patriots game again (cause I love watching Tom Brady cry like a lil girl) and Sharper is a beast! I hope we keep him and don't screw up a good thing. I know everyone thinks it will work out, but if it don't, I'm gonna be an angry b***ch!:argue:

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Ok, I'll bite.
Actually I'm not following your line of thinking. Most of the post I read on here about Bush's $8mil nearly all agree is too much and they should restructure his contract. Bush is 25 years old.

Darren Sharper is a play maker. No argument from me. But I don't think Sharper is as good without our linebackers being able to cover TE's and slot receivers, and our starting corners Greer and Porter covering thier man. $6.5mil for a 34yr old safety? Hmmmm thats asking alot... allthough thats about what Polamalu is making but he's 28yrs old.

As far as comparing Sharper and Bush's playmaking ability, I'd have to say it's pretty even, perhaps even Bush with a slight edge. I think sometimes Bush's contributions get overlooked. Pierre and Reggie both had 8 TD's in the last regular season. Reggie carried 70 times for a 5.6 average. Go youtube Reggie Bush highlights and come back and tell me he's not a playmaker.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Thats great to hear B_Dub_Saint

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Not saying Reggie isn't a playmaker, but what I am saying is for a guy to lead the league in interceptions, and set a new NFL record on return yards, for those int's, I just can't figure out why Reggie gets the benefit of the doubt, and Sharper is getting second guessed here. Is he worth the money he wants? Well, like I said, how many superbowls had we even been too, before he came along? He coached that secondary, into being what they were. If it was a close resemblance to the secondary we had in 08/09, then I could see it. I do believe that Greg Williams had alot to do with it took, but last I checked, Gregg wasn't back there playing safety either.

Sharper deserves to be paid, just as much, if NOT MORE, than anyone else on this team. I have a question, why don't we shop Reggie's trade value? I mean, if we all agree that he's not worth the money?

And as far as my thinking goes, the original question was, and still is: IF it's an uncapped year, and in all likely hood it will be, then why do we care what Sharper gets paid? I believe that same observation was made about Bush, in another thread, and I certainly see it as relevant in this one.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

So, what you are saying is, that if Payton, and Loomis brought up the idea of trading Grant, then you would be all for it? But if someone here mentions it, then you are not the "what have you done for me lately" type of fan anymore? Because I am really trying to understand why you went beserk over Grant, and Bush trade talks, but the idea of losing Sharper to FA, doesn't seem to bother you.

Re: Sharper puzzled by Saints' decision to let him test free-agent market
 

Some players complain about not being able to test the market and others feel hurt by not being over-payed, as would have been the case with Sharper being franchised. The Saints will match any offer he gets and it's soley his decision if he wants to leave. It's the best overall situation for everyone in my opinion.