Darren Sharper Signs Deal to Stay in New Orleans

One of the top free agents left on the market is now officially unavailable when Darren Sharper decided to sign with the New Orleans Saints, whom he played his 2009 season with.

Sharper, who signed the one-year deal today to remain with the defending Super Bowl Champions, was a huge reason for the Saints playoff run.

At 34, Sharper’s main goal is to win a championship, and if the rumors are true that he was close to a deal in Jacksonville, he made the right decision.

A dollar amount is unknown at this point, as well as whether or not the Jaguars offered more money than the Saints.

Sharper figured to be a hot commodity during free agency when he signed for only a one-year deal following 2008, but a arthroscopic knee surgery put his free agent traveling on hold.

Despite his age, he will figure to be a big part of a Saints’ defense that without Sharper would have been (let’s not kid ourselves here) average at best. They ranked int he bottom 20 in the league with Sharper and his league-leading nine interceptions in the line-up.

Sharper also added in 71 tackles and 15 pass break-ups in 2009.

Sharper’s return also allows 2009 first-round pick, Malcolm Jenkins to remain at corner, and keeping Sharper and his tremendous ball skills to roam the center of the field.