No tag for Darren Sharper

[Tailgate]

The question of whether the Saints will use the franchise tag on safety Darren Sharper has presented plenty of intrigue of late.

First, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reported that the Saints had said they'd use the franchise tag on no one.

Then, ESPN's Adam Schefter suggested that Sharper could still be tagged.

Then, we pointed out the inconsistency.

Then, NFL.com's Steve Wyche reported that the Saints will use the tag on Sharper.

Then, we learned that no decision had been made. Earlier today, we pointed out that there had still been no indication that Sharper will be tagged.

Now, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the tag won't be used on Sharper.

And to bring it all full circle, Schefter credits Pasquarelli for his report that the tag wouldn't be used. If Schefter had only believed the report last Monday, it would have been a far less eventful week.

So, basically, we're glad he didn't.

Bottom line? The Saints might be willing to let Sharper gauge the market, and hoping for a chance to match any offer he gets elsewhere. The thinking would be that, like Randy Moss two years ago, Sharper will realize after being on the shelf for a while that no one else is going to offer him dramatically more than the Saints would pay.

Regardless of the motive, the Saints aren't willing to pay Sharper $6.455 million for one more year of football.

Link: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ry/rumor-mill/

[Section516]

Sharper not 100% happy with Saints -

New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper wants to return to the Super Bowl champions. However, the fact that the Saints will allow Sharper to test free agency -- he was notified Monday that they wouldn't retain him with a franchise tag -- tells him that New Orleans is prepared to move on without him.

"They said they want me back, but if you want someone back, why are you going to let them test the market?," Sharper said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "I don't know how much they want me back if they're allowing other teams to bid for my services. Being in this situation before, if a team is willing to let you test the market, they're willing to let you go."

Story continued: http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...s&confirm=true

[NitroGSXR]

And here I thought teams tagging players was a bad thing... Football players confuse me.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by NitroHonda

And here I thought teams tagging players was a bad thing... Football players confuse me.

Ha, it is kind of strange, but maybe a player of his age might feel differently? Maybe the Saints want him to get a feel of his worth in FA before they make him an offer? I don't know.

[RazorOye]

I love Sharper - loved having him as a Saint this year

But is he worth the 6.5 mil/yr price tag that the franchise tag would net him? I dunno... I don't think so

The Saints have, imo, much more pressing needs to take care of before Sharper when it comes to their potential free agents.

I could see giving him 2-3/mil per year on a 2 year deal. The organization has already said they want him to come back and I think they'd offer him that sort of deal. So I don't see where not franchising him automatically means they don't want him or that Sharper should be upset.

I mean, I think he probably realizes that the franchise tag would get him more money than the free agent market would so in that regard I can see him being upset at the loss of millions at the end of his career.

But, all in all, it seems to be a very sound approach on the part of the Saints FO, I think.

They have 2 choices, tag him (at 6.5 mil) or don't. The latter means he enters the market automatically - and if there's a team willing to pay him that much - more power to him.

The Saints just have too many needs more important to the team's future than to spend 6 mil on Sharper.

All that said, I really really hope he returns.