Sharper brings veteran leadership to new Saints defense

Written by Craig Malveaux | Tuesday, 09 June 2009 05:36 | Saints News

METAIRIE - The starting safeties for the New Orleans Saints in 2008 performed to the best of their ability, but by no means at a Pro Bowl standard. The rotation of Kevin Kaesviharn, Roman Harper and Josh Bullocks managed to intercept only three passes last season.



The safeties weren't the only source of problems for a troubled secondary and defense led by former defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs. The entire secondary had their share of miscues that plagued the Saints' hopes of fighting for a spot in the playoffs.

After finishing ranked 23rd in the NFL in yards allowed and 26th in points allowed on defense, the Saints made no secret about their intentions to acquire free agents this offseason to improve a secondary which gave up five plays of 40-plus yards and 53 plays of 20-plus yards.

The team began their changes firing Gibbs and and hiring former Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, known for his aggressive style of coaching. Next, they signed four-time All- Pro safety Darren Sharper and six-year veteran Jabari Greer before drafting cornerback Malcolm Jenkins from the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first round of the NFL draft to improve a lack luster defense a year ago.

The additions made in the offseason are expected to contribute immediately, but the 6-foot-2 product from William and Mary could potentially have the most impact with the Saints this year. Sharper, a 13-year veteran who played previously with the Green Bay Packers and most recently with the Minnesota Vikings, has 54 interceptions, nine forced fumbles, and eight touchdowns in his career. It's safe to say the current active leader in career interceptions is a playmaker.

"As a safety, you always have to be a solid tackler, be a guy who is willing to make the plays when the opportunity arises. I would like to call myself a playmaker so this system is going to definitely allow me to use my skills to make plays for the defense," Sharper said. "His (Williams) system is more suited to my style of play to say the least."

Although his stats dipped last season compared to previous seasons of averaging more than five interceptions each year since 2005, Sharper could expect to flourish and return to Pro-Bowl form with the addition of Williams as coordinator.

Williams' system brings an aggressive defense which applies pressure on opposing teams' offenses and allows the free safety to rome over the middle of the field while the strong safety typically plays towards the line inside the box. This is where Sharper's ability to make plays, as he often did during his four Pro Bowl years in Minnesota and Green Bay, will suit him well.

Sharper has only participated in Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and a three-day minicamp so far but already has embraced his role with the Saints.

"My role is to be a solid player, solid on the back-end and stopping the big play which was a problem last year. If i can get back there any intercept some of those footballs that were completions last year, it can definitely add to our victory total," Sharper said.

Sharper not only can improve the secondary from last season but also provide leadership. The Saints hope his experience in the NFL will help some of the younger players develop into solid football players.

"With the help of some tutelage and some of the ins and outs and some of the things to look for, they can make their instincts happen and happen a lot quicker. Roman Harper is a kid who has the ability to be a Pro Bowl player and hopefully us working together will push him to that level," he said. "The other guys, the young cornerbacks we have, just showing them the little things that i know from playing this amount of time should make us better as a team."

Sharper is excited to work with his new teammates. Even though he has been with the team since March 18th, the old pro has a history some of his new teammates and feels right at home.

"I feel really comfortable here. From the first day and on the thing that helped a lot was that i knew guys before i came to New Orleans," Sharper said. "I had a chance to play with Will Smith in the Pro Bowl, I worked out with (Saints' defensive end) Charles Grant every year, I knew Reggie Bush because we have the same agent and I worked out with Jeremy Shockey a couple times, so I was familiar with a lot of guys that are on the team.  It's a good locker room so it's easy to blend in."

After only practicing in jerseys and helmets during minicamp and OTAs, it is far too early to indicate how the upcoming season will play out for the revamped New Orleans defense, but Sharper is making a good impression so far this offseason.