Sharper Talks About the Jets

by John B on Mar 11, 2010 12:34 PM EST

Darren Sharper had some nice things to say about the Jets.

"I have the utmost respect for Rex Ryan, seeing what he did last year and how quickly he turned things around with a rookie quarterback. And I sat down and watched that scheme and what they did," the Saints Super Bowl champion told the New Orleans Times Picayune. "And like I've told people before, the New York teams, there's something about the big lights and the big city that fits me, and I know I would fit there."

The report says he is seeking more than the $1.7 million he made last season, when he was named to the Pro Bowl with nine interceptions and three TD returns, including one against Mark Sanchez and the Jets.

Let's not go crazy, folks. Sharper's no fool. He's not going to rule out playing for any team. The more suitors he has, the more money he will be able to command. This sounds like one of those instances where somebody asked him about the Jets. Of course he'll have good things to say.

The realism of this scenario depends on a few factors. Do final eight restrictions apply to free agents of other final eight teams. I heard a rumor this wasn't so, but I've seen nothing to confirm it recently. It may have been a misreport. The other question is how much of a raise Sharper wants? Could the Raiders blowing up the kicking market with their Janikowski contract work to the Jets' favor? Could Jay Feely sign a deal big enough to give the Jets the wiggle room necessary to lure Sharper?

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it would be nice

by realsouthace on Mar 11, 2010 12:50 PM EST reply actions

I wouldn’t mind Sharper but the $$$‘s won’t match up and I’m sure we are not allowed to sign UFA from other final 4 teams, but that rumor seems to continue to do the rounds. Sign Sharper then draft a FS in the 4th round perhaps…

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by David_Wyatt on Mar 11, 2010 1:03 PM EST reply actions

That would be awesome if he came have to see what happens if he does better get a pass rusher or a big strong lineman to stop the run cause people would hate to pass against us.

by Tj Doyle on Mar 11, 2010 1:10 PM EST reply actions

he would be a great fit, but not a long term solution, obviously.

but I will say this, having rex ryan makes it a lot easier to sign defensive players. a lot of guys (i.e. jim leonard) are willing to take less money to play for rex, and when free agents are visiting teams, they make visiting the jets a priority.

by Ryan Alfieri on Mar 11, 2010 1:13 PM EST reply actions

Honestly, he doesn't necessarily need to be a long term solution here.

Sharper is a great player. The type that wins championships and changes games. He’s worth a one-year stopgap contract.

I think it’s vastly different from when we were discussing guys like Coles or Holt to play in the slot. There’s no indication that they’d ever be anything better than serviceable, and we can develop a rookie or young guy better with the playing time we’d be giving them. But Sharper is a winner. If he wants to be here for a year or two, it’s a no brainer, IMO.

by Adam Collyer on Mar 11, 2010 2:48 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

i think sharper is one of the most overrated players in the leauge.

he is still a good player, don;t get me wrong. but some had him up for DPOY. thats just nonsense. his sucess was a combination of his skills and greg williams using him properly. he would still be a nice fit in NY though.

by Ryan Alfieri on Mar 11, 2010 6:40 PM EST up reply actions

can’t see this happening to be honest sharper will want too much $$$ perhaps a 2-3 yr contract while he mentors a young s that we draft possibly reshad jones. seen reshad jones on tape looks really good not quite the finished article but great potential.

by Leamg on Mar 11, 2010 1:18 PM EST reply actions

Worth a look

Kinda hard not to pursue this guy after the year he had; even if he gives you 3/4 of his production last year he’s worth 1.7 mil. But truth be told, I think I’d rather have Feely back! There is nothing worse than a crap kicker blowing a hard fought game that goes down to the wire…

by nationalist88 on Mar 11, 2010 1:28 PM EST reply actions

Id love to grab him for a year if we could and draft a raw Safety to get a year of watching one of the best hawks do his thing.

by Crackback on Mar 11, 2010 1:38 PM EST reply actions

get him out of the NFC! eli killer!

production dropped off big time in the 2nd half because of injury. so its another risk move, but one you would have too make. not sure how it can work though…

by Troy O on Mar 11, 2010 1:48 PM EST reply actions

Don't Do It

I don’t trust Darren Sharper to play for the Jets as well as he did in New Orleans or Minnesota – he’s played his last five years in domes! He may have had success with the Green Bay weather, but I think now that age is creeping up, and since he will play half of his games in cold weather environments (especially on next year’s schedule), it would affect his ability to play well for the team. Please keep him out

by MachlinT on Mar 11, 2010 1:51 PM EST reply actions

This is where Jone's roster bonus money should go

He is asking for more than 1.7mm, and Jones was due a 2mm roster bonus.. Sharper is a perfect fit for Rex Ryan’s defense and the team morale. He would be a huge addition to the team

by VinnyG917 on Mar 11, 2010 3:37 PM EST reply actions

I need some news

Any news. I’m going crazy here. Mike T quiet for 4 days? Watch we end up making some blockbuster trade involving all of our picks, and Ray Rice and Ed Reed coming back this way.

"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS

by nrmax88 on Mar 11, 2010 4:32 PM EST reply actions

I think we either here something tonight or tomorrow……if LT makes it to Florham Park, I doubt he leaves without a contract, and I’m hoping that is the same with Brodney Pool tonight.

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by David_Wyatt on Mar 11, 2010 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

I really would like LT

classiest guy you’ll find, especially if he’s ready and willing to accept his role. I think he has some juice left, and will be raring to go and show everybody he isn’t done. I really think between him having just a bit more left then people realize, and the line, that he will exceed expectations. It does seem like when Rex wants a guy, and we get him to visit, he never leaves.

"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS

by nrmax88 on Mar 11, 2010 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly, the most difficult part will be to get him out of Minnesota without a contract, if he leaves tonight without one, I will be confident. So every hour that goes by with no announcement of him signing is a good omen for people who want him here.

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Eternal optimist
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www.ganggreennation.com

by David_Wyatt on Mar 11, 2010 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

i think LT would be a good fit, but

ill paraphrase what I heard Marshall Faulk say on NFL network last night. he was comparing LT’s situation in taking on a lesser role to when the rams named steven jackson the starter.

“I thought i would be fine, lenghten my career. but actually doing it, only going in on 3rd downs, it was awkward. You are so used to being in the rythym of a game, and when all of a sudden I became a situational player, it was really difficult to adjust to”

that just paraphrasing, but I kinda feel like that might happen to LT. the good news is that the Jets have much more carries to go around in a run-heavy offense.

by Ryan Alfieri on Mar 11, 2010 6:45 PM EST up reply actions

I can’t believe you guys wanna bring in LD. Im PRAYING Minny signs him. I just don’t see what he brings. He was all about his burst. And he’s lost his burst. Id rather roll the dice on Leon’s leg than bring in LD.

by Crackback on Mar 11, 2010 6:53 PM EST up reply actions

sure, hes dimished a little bit, but i can;t think of a better mentor (besides TJ) for shonn greene and everyone else on the team.

by Ryan Alfieri on Mar 11, 2010 6:55 PM EST up reply actions

1st year guys need mentors. 2nd year guys don’t. Whats he going to mentor him to do? Greene already has a low pain threshhold. Whats he gonna teach him, how to ride the bike during the playoffs instead of sucking it up and gutting it out? Didnt Greene already pull up lame in the playoffs in a questionable fashion? He doesnt need to be around that overrated softy. He doesn’t need to learn how to run soft, and bail on his team when they need him the most.

Greene spent a year watching the best in the business as far as preparing mentally and physically. He watched how TJ went about his business, and how he approached the game. At this point, you either get it or you don’t. One thing i love about TJ is that he straps it up EVERY game. Just like Curtis. Theres a difference between being hurt and being injured. If it just hurts, you play. Just like TJ always did. Can’t say that about LD. LD’s mentality is all wrong for this team. The guy is a sissy.

by Crackback on Mar 11, 2010 7:13 PM EST up reply actions

theres few players on the planet that have had the sucess LT has had as a football player. Yeah, TJ has been a solid player for a long time, but LT will go in to Canton. Greene is essentially a rookie; its his first year as the main back. He has things to learn, both things off the field, mental stuff and technique-wise things, like every young player.

Im not sure I understand what you say when you call LT a “sissy”. I havent watched every game of LT’s career, but I can’t ever remember a player ever having a problem with his attitude or toughness. All I hear is praise about this guy as a person and as a player. On a team that takes pride in running the ball, you need some kind of veteran leadership at a position so important to a team like that.

Thats why I wanted to keep TJ. But since hes gone, I think LT is probably the next best thing.

by Ryan Alfieri on Mar 12, 2010 1:13 AM EST up reply actions

LD might go to Canton, but that doesnt mean he’s any good right now or that he’ll contribute to the Jets next year. Following your logic, the Jets should go sign Emmitt Smith or Jim Brown. They can teach Greene stuff too. And what is LD going to teach Greene exactly? They have totally different styles.

How many times have you seen the Chargers in the playoffs with LD on the sideline, fully armored, and riding a stationary bike? We don’t need veteran leadership as much as we need production.

We let TJ go because he wanted too much money and he had 4 bald tires, all of which were about to blow. Not to mention we have a brand new F-150 primed and ready to go. Why would we get LD when he’s already shot, and has been for the last 2 years?

by Crackback on Mar 12, 2010 2:29 AM EST up reply actions