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The Darren Sharper support group leads off this latest edition of the New Orleans Saints mailbag. Enjoy, and keep the questions coming at saintsmailbag@timespicayune.com.

Q: I am really concerned that more effort has not been made in offering Darren Sharper a contract. He seems to be more than ready to sign on. I feel Sharper was really instrumental throughout the season and after losing Fujita do not want to be without Sharper. ... Rachel

Q: In my opinion, losing Darren Sharper would be a huge mistake. Let's look at (Pittsburgh's) Troy Polamalu, though not released, but injured most of the (2009) season, had a significant impact on the Defending World Champions defensive scheme. His presence sets the tone for the entire defense, his experience leads the defense and motivates the entire team. Yes, the Saints do have younger and faster players, (Usama) Young and (Malcolm) Jenkins, that could fill in at that position, but I don't think the caliber of play would be the same. What is your take on these comments? A.L., Bossier City.

Q: Okay, on my way to work this morning I had a brilliant idea. What if I created a website address for all Saints fans titled "KeepDarrenSharperatNO.com"? Saints fans would have the opportunity to go to the website and pledge their love for Darren Sharper and the Saints by donating anything from $1.00 up. Darren Sharper is thinking of this situation from a financial standpoint, right? What if Saints fans were willing to pledge dollars to "cushion" the salary being offered by the Saints in an effort to keep him in New Orleans? ... Ava Wales, Baton Rouge.

A: First of all, no matter how much you love Darren Sharper, please don't try to pay him out of your own pocket. No matter where he ends up, he'll make enough money ... though I'm sure he appreciates the sentiment!
Obviously, there's a lot of love flowing for Darren Sharper, and I can understand why. He made a huge impact with the Saints at a position that had been a great weakness for them. And even though Sharper is 34 and his skills will probably continue to decline, I think the Saints would suffer a significant drop-off at the position in 2010 if they let him go. If I was running the defending World Champions, especially in an uncapped year, I might go ahead and overpay a little bit to make sure I kept him on for at least one more year.
But that being said, I don't know exactly what the Saints have offered and what Sharper has asked for. Maybe he wants guaranteed money two and three years into a contract and the Saints aren't willing to give that up, and you do have to appreciate them for thinking critically and long-term without getting caught up in keeping the Super Bowl team together.
In the end, I still think there's a strong chance Sharper winds up back in NOLA. Obviously no team has blown him away yet with an aggressive contract offer, like the Cleveland Browns did with Scott Fujita. That may change once Sharper's healthy enough to work out for a team and pass a physical. But I think the Saints are confident that they've gauged his fair market value, and if other teams' offers are in the same price range, I think he'd ultimately prefer to stay with the Saints.

Q: Jermon Bushrod played well last year, but it's clear that Jammal Brown is the better player. No way both players can be kept, seems like the best option would be to sign the 2 time Pro Bowler long term and shop Bushrod to get some value. ... Sam Hawkins, San Antonio TX.

A: I don't know if I'd agree with words like "clear" and "no way" in that question, Sam. When healthy, I think Brown has been the better player in the past, and if he comes back strong he'll probably be better again in 2010. But you may have noticed that the Saints were able to win a Super Bowl with Bushrod as the full-time starter in his first year on the job. And he should only continue to get better, just like Brown did in his second and third years. I actually think the Saints might prefer to trade Brown, because he's got a higher price tag and he's more of an injury risk, coming back from hip surgery and missing an entire year. But I think they'd listen to offers for both players.
I also think there's a strong chance both players will be back this season, assuming the right offer doesn't come along. But you are right, it's highly unlikely that they would re-sign both of them to long-term extensions. So by this time next year, they'll have to choose one or the other.

Q: What are the chances that we draft Tim Tebow if he should happen to still be around when it is the Saint's turn? Lou Paloma, The Irish Channel.

A: My first instinct is zero percent, Lou. The Saints have one of the league's top three quarterbacks (maybe the best). And they want the ball in his hands constantly, which is why they've never really tinkered with the wildcat formation in their offense. If they want a young developmental project to work with, they don't need to use a first- or second-round pick on him. ... But then again, the Saints do have perhaps the league's most creative offensive mind in Sean Payton, so I'd never rule out the idea of him wanting to play with a new toy.
Thanks for all the questions, everyone, and keep 'em coming at saintsmailbag@timespicayune.com.

www.sportsshooter.com/johnjcoleman

" Anyone can take a picture Only a Photographer can take a photograph "

strato

We really should sign our all pro safety....this is getting silly

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I like to know how much he wants,