Saints RB Thomas could sign new contract soon

The latest reports said that the New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas is near to a contract he has been asking for since beginning of the offseason. As a restricted free agent, he has yet to sign the tender offer from the Saints with the hope to get what matches his performance in last season.

Helping the Saints win their first Super Bowl title, Thomas is hoping for a multi-year contract instead of the one-year tender offer that may pay him only $1.68 million for 2010 season. As offensive guard Jahri Evans received a big seven-year contract from the clue last week, Thomas has been more optimistic about his own deal. Therefore, even though the team has not made their final decision, Thomas still put on his Saints jersey to participate in all the offseason workouts.

In the league, teams are always unwilling to pay high for running backs as it’s a risky move and they can always find replacement for current starters. In Saints case, they still have Reggie Bush even without Thomas. However, as they are willing to make Evans the highest-paid guard in the league, it is also possible for them to make big investment in Thomas. Stay tuned.

Saints safety Darren Sharper could miss offseason workouts

Although the New Orleans Saints Sean Payton did not make it clear when starting safety Darren Sharper would be available in his Saints jersey to participate in team’s offseason programs, some clues was there in Payton’s recently comments on the safety to indicate that Sharper might be held out until training camp.



According to Payton, Sharper is still working his way back into shape after undergoing a knee surgery that was originally reported to be arthroscopic surgery but later was said to be a microfracture procedure after he was signed back by the Saints. Payton said the team has been told by doctors that the rehab needs a longer time than expected and is currently somewhere in the middle, so it’s reasonable to expect Sharper to return by the time training camp. Before that, Sharper would have some proper workout on his own in preparation for hard training camp.

While talking about Sharper, it’s inevitable to mention a much younger safety Malcom Jenkins, who was formerly playing as cornerback but will be moved to safety this year. Payton said that Jenkins always learns quickly and his physical traits would make him a best backup at the position of safety.

Saints UFA safety Sharper is on the way to new team

Remaining an unrestricted free agent even a few days after the 2010 NFL draft ended the New Orleans Saints star safety Darren Sharper is not taking action to find a possible new team, among a few potential suitors like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys. Actually, Sharper is already having a plan to visit the Jaguars.

According to reports, there are not many teams having interests in Sharper, who is 35 years old, recovering from an offseason knee surgery, and had 71 tackles and 9 interceptions for the Saints last season. What makes it possible for him to go Jacksonville is that the Jaguars happened not to pick a safety in the three-day draft. There are also reports that the Dallas Cowboys are interested in adding an experienced veteran safety like Sharper, so the Dallas city could the next stop on Sharper’s travel for new team.




However, analysts have not ruled out the possibility of Sharper wearing back Saints jersey. After all, he had just played with the team for only one season and managed to earn a Super Bowl ring. The problem is Sharper is asking for a price that the Saints may not be willing to offer. If any side wants to keep the relationship, there would be a long-time contract negotiation.