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?