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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.

SmashMouth

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

Euphoria

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

Sir Psycho Sexy

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.

"May God have mercy on those who doubted his Saints."

Sir Psycho Sexy

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

stockman311

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.

Sir Psycho Sexy

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.

voodooido

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.

blakwidows8

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

hagan714

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