Saints Sideline Blog

SHARPER’S IMAGE

Thursday, August 19th, 2010      Email Print

DATELINE: Metairie, LA/ August 19th,2010 (Bring on Favre, and the competition)
 
In a season full of "Super" Saints, Darren Sharper spent his fair share of time playing the leading role of the Secondary's Super hero constantly jumping out of the phone booth and in front of opposing receivers. These days Sharper is more Clark Kent in camp though---no interceptions, no pass breakups-no time so far on the practice field. When you talk to the Saints veteran you don't get the feeling he's concerned about running on idle, as he feels the road back from micro fracture surgery on his left knee back in March is on schedule,with one glitch. He originally thought he'd be back for next week's third preseason game versus the Chargers, now he is hopeful to be back in two weeks versus the Titans in Nashville. He's not rushing back, but plans to be ready when it counts.
 
Sharper could have pulled a Michael Strahan and taken his Hall of Fame credentials, his Super Bowl football and gone home but he knows his gas gauge doesn't read empty quite yet. He may be entering his 14th NFL season, he's old enough to have been a college teammate of Pittsburgh Head Coach Mike Tomlin, but at the age of 34, Darren feels he can still play sharper than most. Right now while he waits for his knee to heal, the wiley ole Saint is busy coaching up his heir apparent, Malcolm Jenkins. Its great to see how happy he is when the second year upstart makes a nice play during 11 on 11 drills as its Sharper who is always there for a pat on the pads or in some cases a little constructive criticism. Jenkins says Sharper's leadership has been invaluable.
 
The biggest motivator for Sharper's return could be that flip floppin Favre fellah. This week Darren tells us watching Favre make it "official" fires him up even more to get back on the field. Sharper of course used to be in that Minnesota locker room and told me he knows when it comes to Favre's theatrics, its a split camp. Half the Vikings embrace it, the other half are forced to live with it, even though they don't like it. He also told me Drew Brees is the best QB he's ever played with---remember Sharper played with Favre back in his Green Bay days.
 
So while Sharper is poised to make life miserable for the future Hall of Famer in the Saints season opener, its gonna be tough for Darren to turn in an encore performance. He's coming off his fifth all-pro season where he tied Ronnie Lott on the all time career interceptions list with his 63rd. No player has ever returned interceptions for more yards than Sharper did a year ago.Yes his opening act was tough to top. Last season, he met Sean Payton's challenge that his legs couldn't find the fountain of youth where he routinely legged out his  INT's into TD's. Now he has another challenge on his hands. Gregg WIlliams said early in camp, "the best thing for Darren Sharper's rehab is to see Malcolm Jenkins play so well every day." I asked Sharper about the prospect that the understudy could supplant the teacher, his reply with a smile "I'll be fine" Yes, Williams is good at pushing the right buttons but we've learned this about the Saints Sharper--he's good at pushing back.
 
 
AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
 
TESTY TEXANS: The peace summit lasted two practices between the Saints and Texans. Last year the teams got in four separate fights in their workouts in Houston. Wednesday saw two peaceful practices but on Thursday morning enough was enough as Saints safety Chip Vaughn and Texans running back Chris Henry started a rugby like scrum. A few players later Saints rookie center Matt Tennant went toe to toe with Texans defensivve end Pannel Eghoh.
 
STINCHCOMB SIDELINED: Saints right tackle Jon Stinchcomb sat out today's Texan practice with a bruised shoulder but Payton says he should be fine for Saturday's game.
 
BABY STEPS: The Saints offense and defense both were bested by the Texans at times on Wednesday's workouts in both the AM and PM sessions but Sean Payton said Thursday's workout was the best of the bunch. Drew Brees had a pick but rebounded to find Dave Thomas for a score.
 
FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT: How much does practicing with a team help when you get to play them a few days later? Jabari Greer says practicing during the week helps from a timing perspective where you get a good feel of the opposing receivers. Houston's All-Pro Andre Johnson tells me it goes both ways though as you pick up a few tips but you also show your hand.
 
LAPPING THE FIELD: Payton and the coaches have definitely reved things up since his team's sloppy effort against the Patriots. Players with missed assignments or dropped passes have been seen running laps on the practice field. Its equal opportunity punishments on both sides of the ball as Saints ranging from Anthony Hargrove to Chase Daniel have fell victim to running the Saints Metairie marathon..
 
UNTIL NEXT BLOG,
Mike Nabors
CST

By: Mike Nabors

An Emmy award winning sports reporter who covers a wide variety of events for CST. Primarily, Mike serves as the network's reporter for Saints coverage.

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