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The nuances of what does or doesn't qualify as "interest" or an "offer" can be debated for months.

All that really matters is that Darren Sharper came back to the New Orleans Saints when he didn't absolutely have to. And that the record-breaking, 34-year-old free safety -- 35 in November -- is a welcomed sight at the team's practice facility, even if he can't do much more than watch right now after microfracture knee surgery.
"The rehab process is a process, so it's just a matter of time, " he said. "Right now it's feeling good. I'd like to be on the field, but there'll be a time for that."
There likely will be a time for it with the Saints, because the franchise has become such an attractive one to play for, players will make concessions to be in New Orleans.
Free-agent defensive end Alex Brown ignored other suitors and hopped on board this offseason. Free-agent fullback Jason McKie, who probably could've found an easier path to the starting lineup somewhere else, bought in.
Free-agent linebacker Clint Ingram signed, and it's undeniable that New Orleans would've been the preferred destination of more free agents if the team hadn't been limited in the number of free agents it could sign because the Super Bowl champion was one of the last four teams standing.
But to say Sharper was the most important free-agent signing wouldn't be a stretch, not after he helped solidify the back end of the Saints' defense with nine interceptions, which he returned for a league single-season record 376 yards.
Sharper said he chose the Saints this offseason for the same reason he joined the franchise last offseason.
"To win another title, " he said. "That's the reason I came here from Day One was to win a championship. We accomplished that, and now we're going to try to win another one.
"The luxury of being in the position I've been in and playing for the amount of years (I have) is that money is not a factor now. It's playing on a winning team, enjoying what we experienced last year. The feeling that I got from playing with the guys in this locker room, playing in this city, was worth much more than money. And that was a big part of coming back.
"This was the best place."
Good thing it wasn't about the money, because Sharper didn't manage to twist much out of it from the Saints. Reportedly, he got a one-year deal with a $1.575 million base salary and $1 million in total per-game roster bonuses, plus a $75,000 signing bonus.
New Orleans, obviously and wisely, didn't pay a cent more than it had to. But Sharper, the NFL's active leader with 63 interceptions, didn't have to take it.
He might not have had the world's most attractive set of options in front of him -- signing with another team now, waiting until he was healthy to sign, retiring while he was on top -- but he did have options.
For what he wanted to accomplish, the Saints simply were the most attractive one.
"That's a testament to the guys at the top, " he said. "You talk about a general manager (Mickey Loomis) that brought in the type of players that he brought in, the coaching staff that put guys in position to make plays and play at the level that we played last year, has made this organization more attractive.
"And what better city? This city gives you everything you want to have playing for a professional organization. And then having a good team makes it a lot more attractive.
"I went to Jacksonville (on a free-agent visit). That's a great organization. But the city of Jacksonville is a little bit different than New Orleans, and we all know that. I just kind of grew a little bit of a bond here, and that was a big part of me coming back."
His being back only is a positive.
True, the Saints are grooming players to take over his spot. Malcolm Jenkins, the first-round pick at cornerback last year, is among the players working at free safety. Sharper, even if healthy, can't last forever.
But if he's healthy, the Saints won't have a better option at free safety.
The Saints needed his swagger then, and it won't hurt having it now. He already has engaged in a Twitter war with the Vikings, playfully insinuating the Saints' defense would go after the surgically repaired ankle of Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre in the season opener, then having Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe jokingly counter that Sharper's knee also would be targeted, then challenging Shiancoe to pay with Shiancoe's game check if the tight end was held without a touchdown and to less than three catches.
"His role is hopefully the same, " Coach Sean Payton said. "The key is going to be the rehabilitation of the injury and getting back into his playing shape. Without speaking for him, his battle is getting himself healthy and back on the field. That's really where his challenge lies.
"He does have good instincts, a way of being around the ball and good ball skills. I think more importantly than anything else is battling the health issues."

When that's conquered -- if that's conquered -- Sharper again can show why he's so attractive to the Saints. And help the Saints show why they're so attractive to others.

New Orleans Saints situation too attractive for Darren Sharper to leave | - NOLA.com

VillainAgain

He may have had other options but where else are you gonna find 2 Pro Bowl caliber CBs that shut it down?? As a FS if your allowed to roam freely you'll have a chance to make tons of plays having 22 & 33 (formerly 32) makes a world of a difference had he gone to jacksonville he probably would have been bumped back to SS Rashean Mathis is the only quality CB they have thats why teams just Air it out on them

VillainAgain

EARTH TO LOGIC DID YOU READ THE PART WHERE THEY SAID THE SAINTS WERE NOT GONNA OVER PAY SHARPER??? or maybe there is an echo

strato

Hint is layin low..P.T causin trouble...lol

VillainAgain

the truth hurts sumtimes but it is what it is

HintOfLogic

Yeah, that must be it.... Sharper is back because he's smart enough to mooch off of Porter and Greer! Hey Dude, I wonder if those guys are secretly bummed that he's back, because he displayed the leagues best ability for being on the spot, jumping their coverage, stealing their ints. and taking them back for 6... what do you think?


I did indeed! and? .....are you implying that I said the Saints are going to overpay for Sharper?

strato

All i can say is im glad D.Sharper is back...he was and is our best option at safety...and he is not overpaid..the guy damn near won Defensive MVP...and was in a lot of peoples mind..Yeah maybe having Porter and Greer in front helped him..but hey maybe having him behind them helped them to...

lynwood

Puff Piece. Glad he is back but he was on the market for a long while and having surgery didn't help to get max pay. I think this is more of a "see i wanted to be here all along piece". Make nice.

Rugby Saint II

OK now everybody play nice.

VillainAgain

Answer the question did Sharper pull all those picks by himself or did the outstanding coverage allow him to roam to the "right spots" for such? Your not understanding that had the cbs played poorly Sharp doesnt have half those ints PERIOD. Dont beleive me look at the stats that you fell in love with when 22 & 32 didnt play yes hes talented and a great fs but clearly he knows that if he went to Jax he wouldnt do the same. I know its been years since a real Fs wore a FDL but stop the bias and be realistic living in wonder land is unproductive and a waste of time You have your opinion thats fine but when you ignorantly dismiss someone elses because you have a bias it not only makes you look foolish but also a douchebag because you wont consider the FACTS... Yes you ultimately did say overpay for Sharper, when you went on your Reggie Bush bashing tour you cried about his salaty when some of such could go towards locking up sharper. The world will keep spinnng so learn from the ideas and move forward