Nearly two months after the NFL's free-agent signing period kicked off, New Orleans' Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper is taking his first visit this offseason. Sharper is scheduled to visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday, according to a league source. Jacksonville did not draft a safety last weekend, and Sharper is searching for another opportunity aside from the one he already has in New Orleans. If Jacksonville fails to sign him, don't be surprised if Dallas does. The Cowboys also did not draft a safety last weekend and they released Ken Hamlin before the draft. Dallas is known to be eyeing Sharper. The Cowboys would like to weaken the defending Super Bowl champion Saints while strengthening themselves. Sharper, who intercepted nine passes last season, turns 35 in November and he underwent knee surgery this offseason. But he is expected to be ready in time for training camp. Sharper sat out two regular-season games last season and missed periodic practices because of knee swelling. Still, he tied for the league lead with his nine interceptions -- returning three for scores. Sharper has said he's hoping to return to New Orleans, but is keeping his options open. We need a SAFETY!!!
Um - Faneca played for the Jets last year. And - they ran the hell out of the ball. He still gave up 6.5 sacks. So - what the hell are you talking about??
Texans Fans before Faneca signs with another team: "Get him here, he's still a good player, those sacks were because the Jets had spotty QB play and a rookie who wasn't making great decisions". Texans Fans after Faneca signs with another team "Good, did not want him here anyway, gives up too many sacks in a run-oriented offense".
To be fair, you can say that about pretty much any group of fans any time a player considers playing for them before opting to sign somewhere else. That's exactly why I don't take original team's message board critiques of free agent signings/trades very seriously at all...
Of course, it is only natural as a fan to rationalize a potential good move and then trust the organization is making the right decision by choosing not to pursue a said player. Nothing is as optimistic as the NFL Draft though, every single player drafted (with a few notable exceptions) in the first round will inevitably have their knobs slobbed when maybe 25% of them will go to have good careers and even fewer will achieve elite status.
reminds me of an interesting stat i saw yesterday. ~20% of 1st round draft picks started in at least one game last year. ~19% of undrafted players started in at least one game. I cant remember esaxtly, but the 2nd, 2rd, and 4th rounders % were around the 10% mark.
Interesting stat. My guess is it means that the undrafted guys who actually MAKE a roster do so because they are performing, whereas a team might keep a non performing 3rd rounder around to learn the position behind a veteran (or just to keep the fans at bay for wasting a pick)
Contrary to the article above, Dallas is reported to have zero interest in bringing Sharper to Dallas. However, they are (reportedly) waiting to see if OJ Atogwe from St. Louis will become available.
I haven't seen that? People wanted him here despite knowing he gave up alot of sacks. People still want him here despite the fact that he signed with another team to play for an old coach. All the Texan complainers are going to say we didn't pursue him despite the fact that we publicly expressed interest in bringing him here
