New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper talks about possibility of playing elsewhere
 

New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper talks about possibility of playing elsewhere
By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune

New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper expressed an interest in playing for the Chicago Bears and a willingness to return to a Cover 2 defensive system during a radio interview on The Waddle & Silvy Show in Chicago on Monday.

There's nothing surprising about what Sharper said. He's about to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent on Friday, and he'd like to have as many suitors as possible.

Clearly, though, Sharper would prefer to stay in New Orleans, as he has expressed several times. The 34-year-old All-Pro was a perfect fit in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' attacking scheme. And the Saints would like to have him back. The price just needs to be right for both sides.
Right now, from talking with sources we'd say there's still a better-than-50 percent chance that Sharper will remain in New Orleans, but clearly the Saints are willing to risk letting him go if he finds a suitor that's willing to pay more.

New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper talks about possibility of playing elsewhere | - NOLA.com

Re: New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper talks about possibility of playing elsewhere
 

Cue Pink Floyd.............Money, so they say, is the root of all evil toooooooooooodayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Re: New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper talks about possibility of playing elsewhere
 

He's got to get paid.

Re: New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper talks about possibility of playing elsewhere
 

yes he does, but he wants to get paid for last year, and we want to pay him for NEXT year.

It's the never-ending conundrum of non-incentive based pay

Re: New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper talks about possibility of playing elsewhere
 

Saints might have backup plan on Sharper

As the start of free agency rapidly approaches, Darren Sharper is making it apparent he’s planning on being available and he’s willing to play anywhere.

Maybe that’s a negotiating ploy to get the New Orleans Saints to re-sign him before he hits the market. Or maybe Sharper’s just facing reality.

Despite the fact he had a great season with the Saints and had nine interceptions, they elected not to use the franchise tag on him and apparently haven’t made a real strong effort to re-sign him. I still think there’s a decent chance Sharper ends up in New Orleans.

But I’m guessing the Saints must have a backup plan in place or else they never would have let Sharper get this close to free agency. Let’s keep one thing in mind: When the Saints drafted Malcolm Jenkins last year, they said they’d start him off as a cornerback, but believed he had the tools to move to safety.

Jenkins didn’t look bad in a limited role at cornerback last season. But the Saints have two very solid starters there in Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter. They’re not going anywhere. Moving Jenkins to safety could be a viable alternative to keeping Sharper.

Saints might have backup plan on Sharper - NFC South Blog - ESPN

Re: New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper talks about possibility of playing elsewhere
 

It's the never-ending conundrum of non-incentive based pay. Scott I agree. This is how they should get paid. Instead of living in the past. Show me what you got ...... today.

Re: New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper talks about possibility of playing elsewhere
 

Please, just resign Sharper. He is perfect for the system.

Re: New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper talks about possibility of playing elsewhere
 

Jenkins, Young and Vaughn. Again, it's a young man's game. It would have been easy for the Saints to tender Sharper even at a low amount. It means they are moving forward. Maybe draft a Myron Rolle.

I just don't think that Sharpe returns. Best to you I loved your play.

Re: New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper talks about possibility of playing elsewhere
 

No Darren! Stay please! :( I'll give you whatever you want, just don't leave us! :cry:

Re: New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper talks about possibility of playing elsewhere
 

I don't think they could have tendered him since he was an unrestricted free agent. I may be wrong on this, but I think UFA's can only be franchised, which would have cost the team a lot more money than a tender if he was restricted. Could someone clear this up for me?