Saints saved money in re-signing safety Sharper

Now we all know that veteran safety Darren Sharper will put on the No.12 New Orleans Saints jersey for one more season on a one-year contract. Well, some people said the Saints signed the veteran back because he is necessary to the team’s defense, but if so, why did not they put the franchise tag on Sharper earlier this offseason?




Placing a franchise tag on Sharper will also keep the safety with the Saints for another one year, but the cost would be $6.455 million, even higher than the $5 million Sharper previously asked for to match his performance in 2009 season. So the Saints actually saved as much as about $5 million by re-signing Sharper with a one-year contract worth about $1.5 million, 0.2 million less than the $1.7 million contract signed last offseason. The offer was made after Sharper received no big offer from other teams, so the Saints held the initiative to set the price, and they did not offer much.

The new contract also includes a $75,000 signing bonus and additional $1 million for roster bonus, which is usually avoided by teams before the due time. So, even though Sharpe managed to be selected to the Pro Bowl and had a league-high nine interceptions last season, his age and knee injury issue still prevented him from making more money.