Sharper confused by Saints’ move to let him test free agency

By Gayle Saunders
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Darren Sharper wants to return to the Super Bowl champion Saints. The only thing is the Saints just allowed Sharper to test free agency he was notified Monday that the front office wouldn’t slap the franchise tag on him. Which basically says to him that the Saints are prepared to move on without him.

“They said they want me back, but if you want someone back, why are you going to let them test the market?,” Sharper said in a telephone interview Tuesday. “I don’t know how much they want me back if they’re allowing other teams to bid for my services. Being in this situation before, if a team is willing to let you test the market, they’re willing to let you go.”

Sharper who is 34, earned a ticket to the Pro Bowl this past season after tying for a league-high nine interceptions, as well as helping the Saints win their first Super Bowl Championship.

Sharper only signed a one-year Free agent deal worth, $1.7 million last year after being released by the Minnesota Vikings. Free agency begins March 5.

Sharper has made it known that he won’t come as cheap as he did last seasonr, if its with the Saints or another suitor. He specified his price range but he’s confident that he has a “couple good years left.” There weren’t many options for him last season, which is why Sharper signed with the Saints at such a bargain basement price.

“I’m going to want to be compensated market value,” Sharper said. “Hopefully things work out (with the Saints). I know the system, and the team was more successful once I got there. They know the value. It’s simple economics. You pay someone what they deserve. I was a bargain deal last year.

“It’s tough because the fan base is great, and we had something special and we have a chance to repeat. It would be bad if I wasn’t able to return. We’ll see if they make me an offer that is competitive.”

If the Saints chose to use the franchise tag on Sharper, they would’ve had to pay him $6.455 million next season. By declining that price tag, the team seemingly could offer Sharper a deal that could pay him that salary or more over multiple years but not that much in 2010 if they opt to try to retain him.