Access Vikings: » Blog Archive » What’s going on with Sharper?

What’s going on with Sharper?

March 8th, 2009 – 11:39 AM by Judd Zulgad

There has been no indication the Vikings have interest in re-signing safety Darren Sharper, giving the veteran free agent the opportunity to explore his value on the open market.

But so far, though, there hasn’t been much action from the Sharper camp. He visited the Saints last week but left New Orleans without a contract. There had been reports the Chicago Bears had interest in Sharper – the player appeared to be in semi-regular contact with the Chicago Tribune on this subject – but the Tribune eventually ran an item that said the Bears had no desire to sign him.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported this weekend that the Saints continue to consider Sharper and Jacksonville’s Gerald Sensabaugh, who also visited with the team. One franchise the Times-Picayune and Chicago Tribune point to have as having potential interest in Sharper is the Atlanta Falcons.

Sharper, who will turn 34 in November, played in all 16 regular-season games in 2008 for the Vikings but had only one interception. This came after he had 17 interceptions in his first three seasons in Minnesota. He has 54 picks in his career. The Tampa-2 style of defense that the Vikings use isn’t the best for Sharper, who considers himself a play-maker, but there is no question that teams likely have some concern that he had only one pick in his 12th NFL season.

The Vikings, meanwhile, are planning to have 2008 second-round pick Tyrell Johnson take over for Sharper as the starter opposite Madieu Williams.

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73 Responses to "What’s going on with Sharper?"

skcrooge says:

March 8th, 2009 at 11:48 am

I think Darren may have let up a bit to get to this moment; it’s all on film, laddie. It does not lie. The other teams can see it, too. Darren has always taken good care of himself and may be headed for the booth. I just don’t see the desire. And, he never was the big hitter we neeed at that position. Teams through up and over the middle all year. Step slow.

rakidd says:

March 8th, 2009 at 11:57 am

Well, he may be a step slow at 34, but I’d sure like to have him on the roster when Madieu Williams goes down. Seriously, how many games do the Vikings coaches expect Williams to actually play next year? They’d better start worrying about depth at the safety position.

tice09 says:

March 8th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

i agree rakidd they need 2 get sharper back he still has a lot left in the tank and is a good guy

RaaR612 says:

March 8th, 2009 at 1:56 pm

Sign Roy Williams!

Lost Viking says:

March 8th, 2009 at 2:06 pm

Insertion of Madieu Williams into lineup really improved secondary coverage in second half of season. Griffin also improved his play.

Tyrell Johnson didn’t do a great deal as a playmaker. As a rookie that’s to be expected.

Expect to see continued improvement in secondary play in ‘09. That’s not a knock on Sharper and his rather large salary number

dkorpela says:

March 8th, 2009 at 2:12 pm

Coach K1 syas:

I agree with RaaR612- signing Roy Williams would be a good move. Our secondary is NOT impressive and w/o Sharper seriously lacking in depth.

nickgovikes says:

March 8th, 2009 at 2:23 pm

Depth would be nice, but safety is not a top priority, when compared to a lot of other positions.

cotto says:

March 8th, 2009 at 2:29 pm

Does Roy Williams really fill our need at safety? He is not the cover safety that is getting so much recognition around the league today. He is physical and can help in the Run D, but we need a playmaker in the secondary. A veteran would help show some of the young guys how to prepare and bring a presence to the locker room, but we need somebody who can cover more of the field. There is only one Ed Reed out there, but DSharp pretty much confirmed that his best days are behind him when he missed scooping up that ball in the endzone(or failing to fall on it) in the Falcons game. “Playmakers” don’t try to make plays, they just do.

Fragile Fred Smoot says:

March 8th, 2009 at 2:39 pm

Ticey,

What signs did you see last year that indicate Sharper has a lot left in the tanks?

Viking John says:

March 8th, 2009 at 3:04 pm

Freds is right. Sharper was always 2 steps late or went right when he should have went left. We had some good years from him but now it is time to move on.
I also agree that we need Safety depth.
All we have behind Johnson and Williams is the kids from Washington State-Abdullah and Frampton.

Go Vikes

By the way, Sue suck
Another WCHA regular season champs

nickgovikes says:

March 8th, 2009 at 3:07 pm

Exactly Cotto. Agreed guys. Sharper is well past his prime. The vikes staff thinks good things about Abdullah though. Depth at safety would be nice, but corner should be a much higher priority.

Viking John says:

March 8th, 2009 at 3:28 pm

I suppose they will bring in some veteran like they did with Boulware last year for a camp body. Draft a saftey late or pick up an undrafted free agent like they did with Frampton and Abdullah?

Go Vikes

Minneapolis Star Tribune » Blog Archive » What’s going on with Sharper? says:

March 8th, 2009 at 3:32 pm

[…] Access Vikings: – […]

nickgovikes says:

March 8th, 2009 at 4:25 pm

We need to draft CB 1st round, and T 2nd round.

nickgovikes says:

March 8th, 2009 at 4:35 pm

Please don’t draft a WR in the 1st 2 rounds Vikes! Please!

Fragile Fred Smoot says:

March 8th, 2009 at 5:31 pm

Fred will be interested to see how the Viking address the fact that there will be many good linebackers prospects still on the board when they draft:

- Cushing
- Laurintius
- Matthews
- Maualuga (probably gone)

They could use depth, and under the header of “best player on the board”, probably three of these guys will be available. Not saying they should take, but don’t be surprised if they do.

Fred still wants steroid infested fat offensive lineman. Two of them right off the bat.

doug0214 says:

March 8th, 2009 at 5:44 pm

What signs did anyone see that Sharper has lost it? Besides generalized comments like “was slow last year” or “went left when supposed to go right”? I’d say bring him back as depth if the price is right, we are too young at safety w/out him.

nickgovikes says:

March 8th, 2009 at 6:21 pm

How many big plays did you see him make last year? And yes, teams passed all over the middle on our safeties last year. And why do you think nobody but the Saints have shown interest, and he left without a deal?

Sharper42vikings says:

March 8th, 2009 at 6:42 pm

In this day and age when players start slowing down, I think it is not the player it is the coach. Tampa 2 don’t fit the players change the defense so it fits. Sharper has been a class act since he showed up here from Green Bay. When other players we have had go out and party all summer and in the off season and do stupid stuff and show no maturity or value to the team we get angry and blame the coach and the owners for bringing them in. Sharper on the other hand has done none of those things he came here to play football become part of the community for his gain and ours and more. Any guy who brings a medical sleep chamber to camp, or doesn’t get drunk and or hooked on pain killers and steroids and does it the old fashioned way the right way is a role model something we need on a team like ours. Maybe he did not get the interceptions or the Pro Bowl like he has in the past. But he has the look of a Cris Carter or one of our other ring of honor inductees let him stay give him the money he wants I think with all negative flack this team gets it would be wrong to let another good athlete and a proven leader and non screw up go… And if we do let him go I hope he does become an annoucer or gets another ring someplace else cause he deserves it. Once again like the other waiting pool of players that come here play and then go somewhere else and succeed he will be another one of those… Always a class act which ever jersey he wears not many of those guys are left.

Viking John says:

March 8th, 2009 at 6:43 pm

Freds, LB is strong in this years draft, but if we take one with our first pick, you and me are evens on the colts. I can’t remember though, do you owe me one or two?
1-Davis CB
2-Loadholt OT
3-Robiske WR
5-Coffee RB

Go Vikes

Fragile Fred Smoot says:

March 8th, 2009 at 6:45 pm

One sign-

Sharper’s interceptions over the past 4 years
2005 9
2006 4
2007 4
2008 1

Int’s aren’t everything, but for a safety who gambles and prides himself on turning big plays, this is a telling stats.

Fragile Fred Smoot says:

March 8th, 2009 at 6:48 pm

Another sign Sharper has slowed down are the scorch marks on his uniform from receivers blowing by his creeky over the hill rump.

Did you people watch last year, nicks is right on the mark.

2Colts Johns

Fragile Fred Smoot says:

March 8th, 2009 at 6:51 pm

Sharpers,

Well said, but please restate that point when mr goodguy is blown away by Fred’s grandpa on a post pattern in the nfc championship game. Good guys also get to a point where they no longer have it.

hawaiianvikes808 says:

March 8th, 2009 at 6:53 pm

VIKINGS FROM HAWAII

First of all I want to say that Sharper brings great leadership to our secondary. However, he is a step slow in pass coverage especially down the middle. Johnson brings almost the same instincts as Sharper although his smarts are high but the more reps he get the more he will suceed. I see the Vikings going into the draft by drafting Percy Harvin in the draft and grab a OT in the second round. Sulivan will fill in for birk which could give us trouble especially against the hated bears because of Tommy Harris. Jackson will be our Qb and although played awful against the Eagles, you seen glimpes of him after being benched. Jackson seen that Gus was just giving us easy passes and a couple of big plays downfield to keep the safeties honest from stacking 8 9 guys in the box. AP hold on to that ball, Allen William wall, welcome back EJ and Winfield and company. If EJ is back to himself, he will force a lot of havoic in the middle. NFC North Champs cuz ALOHA!!!

nickgovikes says:

March 8th, 2009 at 7:15 pm

Sharper42, we let Carter go at the end too. No one is arguing that Sharper is a good person or role model. It’s your play on the field that matters most.

nickgovikes says:

March 8th, 2009 at 7:18 pm

Plus after resigning Farwell, it is even more unlikely that we would draft a LB, especially early.

Pit Boss says:

March 8th, 2009 at 7:34 pm

No! Do not get Sharper back. Did you see how old he looked towards the end of the season. He could not tackle or run. If we sign him back then Chili would have him start. We need speed at safety to catch the wide receiver that gets away from the corners and Tyrell Johnson is pretty fast.

Pit Boss says:

March 8th, 2009 at 7:35 pm

You have been great on our team and I regret none of this, but we need young people playing.

Pit Boss says:

March 8th, 2009 at 8:02 pm

Doug, what game were you watching. How could you not see that Darren has lost a step. I say more than one step short he is old. You can’t make a team out of old guys.

Fragile Fred Smoot says:

March 8th, 2009 at 8:05 pm

Perhaps your old Pal Freds could make a triumphant return to the Metrodomes as a Vikings and convert from a shut down corner to a hard hitting safety?

Did Fred really just say that?

Viking John says:

March 8th, 2009 at 8:44 pm

Freds for Safety. That way John could wear one of his many Smooter jerseys again.

Go Vikes

adpeterson28 says:

March 8th, 2009 at 9:00 pm

maybe we could use him for trade bait for idk maybe brady quinn or trade him and johnson to the redskins for Laron Landry

hawaiianvikes808 says:

March 8th, 2009 at 11:06 pm

SOMEONE GIVE ME FEED back

Lost Viking says:

March 9th, 2009 at 1:04 am

Aloha, Hawaii.
Sharper’s play - think its difficult to evaluate safety position. My concern with Johnson/Williams would be their ability to play big, physical receivers. Sharper could hang in against these guys. We saw a few situations where large, physical receivers like TO and Boldin out-muscles smaller safeties.

Draft - Wouldn’t surprise to see Maclin fall to Viking @ #22 and Vike decide to take an OT instead. Based on last year expect the WRs (Harvin,Heyward-Bey, Nicks) to be available early in 2nd round. If so, expect Vike to trade up in 2nd round (similar to strategy in past two years -T. Johnson and T-Jax).

Sullivan Station - why don’t Vike pick up Mark Setterstrom ex Ram if even as longsnap? Thought Sullivan was supposed to be more physical than Birk…? Vike need a center capable of getting into 2nd level.

T-Jax is back - I expect Sage will start. Agree T-Jax did show glimpses of upside talent. Sage is more ready to start and will stabilize the offense.
T-Jax has to earn coaches confidence and there are still a few changes needed

AD turnovers - Childress was sending message to AD to focus. Greatest runner since Bo Jackson but not yet a complete back. AD needs to work on pass blocking as well as ball control.

EJ - Agree. Losing EJ was a blow and Nap Harris wasn’t nearly as effective. Leiber did a good job though.

OK, bringing my winter cold out your way next week so expecting a warm welcome.

aaronb says:

March 9th, 2009 at 7:50 am

I think Darren Sharper would be a good one to bring back at the right price. He is definitely better than Johnson, despite him losing a few steps. I think Johnson and the Vikings would bennefit possibly sharing reps with someone like sharper.

Sages says:

March 9th, 2009 at 8:00 am

Who cares! Dude is washed up. Move on. If this is all we have to read about the Vikes during the off season, it’s pretty sad. Has anyone seen what the Cardinals are doing? They just went to the SB and are signing players to GET BETTER. Unlike us. They were a franchise that was LOWLY and now they have a new stadium and went to the SB last year. WHY NOT US? Don’t be so freakin cheap.

nickgovikes says:

March 9th, 2009 at 9:14 am

Spend some freakin money already! Is this really all there is to talk about is bringing back an over the hill past his prime safety? I would have much rather had birk back. sign somebody already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At the very least, schedule some visits!

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