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Just one out of every four defending Super Bowl champs in that span has gone past the divisional round of the playoffs. In addition to the two repeat winners, Green Bay lost in the Super Bowl after the 1997 season and the Dallas Cowboys fell in the 1994 NFC Championship Game.

Five teams have missed the playoffs entirely, although one comes with an asterisk. John Elway retired after the Broncos’ second Super Bowl triumph, so Denver’s descent to 6-10 in 1999 was predictable.

Almost no one predicted the dramatic drop-off by New England in 2002 (9-7), the Tampa Bay Bucs in 2003 (7-9) and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006 (8-8) and 2009 (9-7).

With Brees cementing his status as one of the NFL’s truly transcendent quarterbacks in Super Bowl XLIV, the Saints will be on every short list of 2010 contenders.

To prevent those high expectations from turning into expectorations, their No. 1 priority should be re-signing Darren Sharper.

New Orleans does not need another running back. Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush and Lynell Hamilton will make up for the loss of Mike Bell and his 3.8-yard average per carry. New Orleans does not need a linebacker to replace Scott Fujita. Although his departure for the Cleveland Browns will hurt on and off the field, it is not a killer blow.

The Saints need Sharper.

All has been quiet on that front since Sharper said the Saints weren’t showing him enough love in this Times-Picayune story on March 10, but the plot will heat up the second he visits his first prospective suitor as an unrestricted free agent.

Sure, Sharper benefited from playing behind Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter, the most underrated cornerback tandem in the NFL. No doubt, he was exposed a bit when that duo missed time with injuries, showing his age (34) while chasing receivers who had broken free from the corners. And his questionable angles in run support contributed to the inordinate number of breakaway gains the Saints allowed.

But he tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with nine, returned an NFL-high three of those picks for touchdowns and set an NFL single-season record with 376 interception-return yards. His ball-hawking style was perfect for defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ aggressive system.

You don’t give up a player like that without a fight.

In 2008, the Saints’ safeties gave up catch after catch even when they were in good position to make a play. Does coach Sean Payton really want to risk a return to those dark days by letting Sharper get away?

Sharper, 34, is not worth the $6.445 million price tag the Saints avoided when they refused to designate him a franchise player. He is worth much more than the $1.7 million he signed for last year, though. General manager Mickey Loomis needs to find a happy medium that keeps Sharper from signing anywhere else.

Any other move New Orleans makes in the offseason – and picking up durable Bears defensive end Alex Brown was a plus– pales in comparison.

The step down from Sharper to anyone who would replace him would be as steep as the gap between "Treme" and "K-Ville."

strato

Sign him Loomy

poydras

I'm not in New Orleans and don't get all the current gossip. Are we even negotiating with Sharper? How Far are we apart? How about Pierre Thomas? It's time for the front office to stop taking turns shining the trophy and get some of these things taken care of!

falconhater

Front office is handling things in a business like fashion Sharper wants the 6 million that he would have gotten with the franchise tag that his ego says should have been placed on him. He was a good very good early on player against rookie Qbs but he isnt worth 6 million and no one in the league will pay it. around 2 a year is sufficent a bit more than last year but reasonable for a veteran who is on the way out. He will not be any where as impactful next year as he was last( no disrespect intended I like him alot) FO will be patient and in the end if he grabs a payday else where we will be ok most likely when he sees the money will be the same or close everywhere he will RUN back to the Champs for a chance at another ring!!! Remember we like the players but it is the3 organization we are behind we are Saints fans First Individual players come and go.

strato

Huh?...i dont follow..were talking about our probowl safety...not some scrubb..and how do you know he wont have a better season?..Sharper was hurt towards the end of the season..But really come on you would rather go with Jenkins or Chip Vaughn ..who we have never ever seen on the field?...i think we sign Sharper..and it improves our odds of getting back to the superbowl...

falconhater

No I would like to see Sharper back. But not at 6 million a year. I think he needs to be resonable as to what he brings to the table. I dont see him as a long term or high priced answer for us We HAVE TO bring along the younger players. I expect Jenkins to come along at that Saftey position But would like one more year with him behind Sharper. I just agree with the FO approach let him sit dont rush to a deal the longer we wait the less we pay its Business

strato

I dont think anyone and especially Sharper thinks he will get 6 million...lol..more like 2.5 mil would be fair...and should get done..

spkb25

i would not pay him 6 a season, but we need to get him signed, and I think we will, but we are letting him sit out there a bit- at least make him and his agent come down off the high number a bit. We need to get something done though

HintOfLogic

I agree with those thoughts.....
I think Sharper had too big of an impact to loose him. I don't think he'll get 6 & 1/2 million especially after showing some signs of slowing down towards the end of the season. Scary.

I think Loomis and crew are smart business minds that know what they're doing, but can't let the success turn to cockiness. I think they'll bring him back.

I also think that what you see Sharper is the result of some aggressive and maybe greedy management and agent shenanigans. Typical these days. In his defense, he's at the cusp of retiring and needs to cash in.... although I think it's obvious he's got media aspirations post playing. He'll probably be great at it too. Like him or not, he's a straight shooter who can tell it like it is. We Dat!

QBREES9

Sign him please just sign him.