Safety Darren Sharper Returns To N.O., Shot At Another Super Bowl Title Deciding Factor.

We may never know how close Darren Sharper actually came to signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday as it was rumored a deal between the Pro Bowler and struggling franchise was nearly complete.

In the end however according to Sharper and his agent his desire to play for a Super Bowl contender at this stage in his career was very high so the decision was made to stay with the defending champion Saints.

Sharper will return to the black and gold on another one year contract for the 2010-2011 season and although the specifics of the deal have not been disclosed it most likely is in the 3M to 3.5M dollar range, no specifics on what the Jaguars had offered.

Saints fans were literally torn between their feelings on if they wanted Sharper to return or not after he publicly criticized the Saints franchise for not immediately handing over a big contract stating they were not “Showing him the love”.

Some held on to the hope the Saints would pony up the dough to keep the NFL’s active career interception leader and some though it best he walk so that the team could move 2009 first round draft pick Malcolm Jenkins to safety where many feel he can play at a Pro Bowl level.

So whether you were for Sharper’s return or against it he is here to stay for at least the next year and you can’t argue the Saints are not a better team with him on it.

Now expect the Saints to still move Jenkins to safety where he can be groomed by Sharper over the next season as clearly Jenkins is the future at free safety especially considering the Saints drafted corner Patrick Robinson with their first pick in the recent draft.