Applying franchise tag could end costing club more. Matt Bowen
Last night, while appearing on the NFL Network, Steve Wyche of NFL.com reported on the future of Saints free safety Darren Sharper.
And, according to Wyche, New Orleans plans to franchise its defensive playmaker.
I am surprised if the report holds true, because as much as I like Sharper for his ability to drive on the football and make plays for the Super Bowl champs in Gregg Williams’ defense down in New Orleans, the Saints are overpaying here.
By franchising Sharper, the Saints are essentially signing him to a one-year deal—a deal that carries a hefty price tag for their free safety at $6.45 million. That’s a big jump from the one-year, $1.7 million dollar deal that Sharper signed last offseason.
The NFP’s Brad Biggs points out that the Saints could benefit from this move, due to the uncertainty of paying out guaranteed cash for the 2011 season—which may not even take place if a lockout occurs.
Last week, I wrote about Sharper's market value and how applying the franchise tag was at the bottom of my list of options to keep him around. The market for him wouldn’t have been big, and I honestly can’t imagine a scenario where Sharper would jump ship. Yes, he could have mortgaged some cash against the Saints to create a bigger market for himself, but the bottom line is that the Saints might have been able to get Sharper back for much less than $6.45 million guaranteed.
However, from a player’s aspect and as a former teammate of Sharper, I give him credit if he does end up officially being tagged by the club. Here is a guy that no one wanted last offseason after his time in Minnesota, yet he went out and made enough plays, won a ring and is now basking in the rewards.
Not a bad season, and not a bad deal for a 34-year-old safety.
But, as we always say, the guys who get paid are the ones who make the plays, who show up on the highlights and who see their name at the top of the charts when it comes to interceptions.
Make no mistake about it, Williams and that New Orleans defense need Sharper in the middle of the field during the 2010 season if they are going to repeat as NFC South champions and make another title run. But they could have let Sharper test the market and made a good—but not great—offer sometime in March and received the same results.
Is Sharper now overpaid? Probably. But then again, it is tough to put a price on a guy who makes plays.
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Are the Saints overpaying? Maybe. But you can't discount the possibility that Sharper would have been ticked about the lack of ANY offer, and you can't discount the possibility that another team would have made him an offer for 3-4 million that he would have taken, simply because he was ticked. He may be aging, but he is a field general with decent playmaking skills, and those guys don't grow on trees. In fact, I am continually surprised that teams don't place greater value on an experienced safety that can make adjustments on the field, especially when packaged with a decent skill set. Belichick got alot of miles out of Rodney Harrison after he was supposedly washed up.
Also, you can't underestimate the impact on the team and the fan base if Sharper walked. It would have been demoralizing, and contrary to the "family" feel the Saints are trying to accomplish. I don't see $6.4 million, in an uncapped year, as an exorbitant or foolish investment.
Sharper for a year at $1.7m is a bargain.
Sharper tagged, expensive for 6 million plus.
Sharper for defensive leader of a team that parades the Lombardi Trophy through the French Quarter:
Priceless!
The Packers and Vikings both overpaid for Sharper at one time or another. He makes some great interceptions but far too often ends up trailing a player into the endzone for a TD or wiffing on an open field tackle. If anything the franchise tag is paying him for last year. For 6 million you can keep him Saints fans.
The Packers wouldn't pay a $4 million roster bonus for him so they had to cut him loose. They didn't ever overpay for him.
Sharper at his age should be doing cartwheels to get tagged. How many guys who played in a SuperBowl in 1998 and again in 2010 get $6 million in a year?
Very good article.
Thanks
Sharper getting the tag isn't a suprise. Consider it retroactive....that being that he out played the 1.7mil he signed for this season. Now all the Saints did was to assure that Sharper had no reason to leave. Follow me here. The Saints allowed him to get his ring, and the concensus amongst all talking heads is about how hard it is for a team to repeat....that said, what motivation would a 34yr old FS have to resign w/ the Saints? Loyalty? This is a business and nobody understands that better than a 14yr vet. He's not getting younger and now that he's got his ring he's pretty much a lock for Canton....only thing that would motivate most in his position is money. Now the Saints need him more for stability purposes than he needs the Saints, b/c the Saints haven't been able to groom a suitable FS to replace him yet. Usama Young? Take a look at the one play he was on the field in the SuperBowl. I'm hoping Chip Vaughn comes back from injury and at least looks like he could potentially challenge for playing time, but until then I think 6 million for a player that lead one of the most thieving secondaries (and the league individually) in the NFL, coming off a ProBowl season, after helping to deliver the Lombardi, in this case, for this season is worth it.
Mack -
In 2004, his last year with the Packers Darren Sharper's total salary was $ 5,201,400. That year he ranked 59th among defensive backs in total tackles, 19th in interceptions, and 89th in passes defended. I would say the Packers overpaid him.
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Feb 16, 2010
03:05 PM
Yes and Yes.
6 plus mil for a safety at the end of his career? Bad business there.