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New Orleans Saints free agent safety Darren Sharper staying 'patient'
By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune

Darren Sharper has been stuck in free agency limbo for six weeks now, and that doesn't figure to change anytime soon.

With NFL teams focusing on next week's draft, the New Orleans Saints' free agent safety will likely have to wait at least two more weeks before finding a home for 2010. But the five-time Pro Bowler said Thursday that he's been staying patient while rehabbing from a minor knee surgery he had in early March, and he remains optimistic.

"I can be patient," Sharper said via text message. "I'm running now, so (the) surgery went well, along with (the) rehab."
Sharper, who has described the surgery on his left knee as a minor clean-up procedure, said he is healthy enough to work out for teams now. So it's possible the market could pick up for him after the draft.
Agent Joel Segal said Sharper is in a "unique situation" because of the timing of his surgery but stressed that "he'll be ready to play football" well in time for the start of the season.

The draft could be a plus-or-minus proposition for Sharper. Some teams, including the Saints, might land a top free safety prospect in the draft, which would lessen their need for the 34-year-old free agent.
Then again, some teams who need a safety could miss out on the top prospects in next week's draft, increasing their urgency to sign Sharper.
League sources have indicated that at least two or three other teams besides the Saints have shown interest in Sharper. But clearly none of them has shown enough urgency or offered enough money to lock him up - like the Cleveland Browns did when they offered an above-market value deal to former Saints linebacker Scott Fujita on the opening weekend of free agency.

The Saints are still interested in bringing Sharper back after his tremendous 2009 season, in which he earned first-team All-Pro honors with nine interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns. But they only want him back at the right price.

As outstanding as Sharper was in 2009, teams are understandably wary of his future prospects. He wasn't as productive during the second half of last season, especially after his knee became a nagging problem. This year, he won't start the summer 100 percent healthy like he did last year. And it's possible that he won't be as motivated to prove he's "still got it," like he was last year when he was released by the Minnesota Vikings.
Then again, the longer he sits out there in free agency, the more motivated he might become.

The Saints likely won't let Sharper's status affect their draft planning. Even if they don't land a safety early in the draft, they like the potential of fourth-year backup Usama Young, who made the transition from cornerback to safety last year. And they could also consider moving last year's first-round draft pick Malcolm Jenkins from cornerback to free safety. They also have second-year pro Chip Vaughn, a fourth-round pick last year, returning to the fold after missing his rookie season with a knee injury.

Sharper isn't the only Saints free agent still stuck in limbo.
Backup quarterback Mark Brunell still has not signed with a team, though the New York Jets have shown some serious interest. Other veteran role players like defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy, defensive end Paul Spicer and tight ends Billy Miller and Darnell Dinkins are also waiting for the Saints and other teams to re-evaluate their rosters following the draft.

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