Whur CHad At? Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 from espn.comUnable to continue carrying his lofty salary-cap charge and unwilling to pay him a $2.6 million roster bonus due Friday, the Packers on Thursday released two-time Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper, ESPN.com has learned.While anticipated for the past few weeks, the move is no less painful for the Packers, the only team with which Sharper has played in his eight-year career. The Packers and agent Joel Segal negotiated into Thursday but were not able to reach middle ground. Green Bay had sought to have Sharper reduce his compensation to about $2 million for 2005, roughly one-third of what he was scheduled to earn.Had the Packers not gotten Sharper onto Thursday's waiver wire by the time it closed at 4 p.m. ET, they would have been liable for the roster bonus. The move saved Green Bay about $3.4 million in cap room."Both sides worked diligently to try to get something done, but we just couldn't finish it off," Segal said. "Darren really appreciates the concerted effort the Packers made to try to keep him. The numbers just didn't work for us or for them. So now we'll see just what the market is out there."Although the free agent signing binge has slowed considerably in recent days, and Sharper plays a position not often regarded as a high priority by many teams, he figures to draw interest from teams seeking to improve their interior secondary. The Packers clearly believe the 29-year-old Sharper's performance has declined some, but several other teams still hold him in high regard.One league personnel director, citing the acquisition of aging safety Rodney Harrison by the New England Patriots two years ago, insisted Sharper can still make an impact. He is not as physical a hitter as Harrison but has better range.Sharper is coming off a difficult 2004 season, one in which his productivity dropped but also one in which he played most of the year with a partial tear in the posterior cruciate ligament of his left knee. Despite the injury, Sharper missed only one game and three starts -- and still led the Packers with four interceptions.The former William & Mary player, a second-round choice in 1997, has played both safety positions and his versatility was always considered a plus by Green Bay defensive coordinators who could game-plan around his abilities. Earlier in his career, Sharper was a threat against the run, on the blitz and in pass coverage. Even if that skills-set has waned a bit, he will have some suitors.In 121 appearances, including 105 starts, Sharper has 610 tackles, 36 interceptions, 79 passes defensed, six sacks and six forced fumbles. He has at least one interception in every season but 1998 and, since '99 has never had fewer than three pickoffs. Four times in his career, Sharper posted 80-plus tackles, with a career high of 113 in 1999.Sharper was named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad following the 2000 and 2002 seasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalboomer7 Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 I seem to be one of the few that is not interested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cincy9275 Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 this guy should be brought in and signed. he would be a major improvement to our d. and that was m/l goal for this offseason ,but we all know mikey would not pay him what he is worth so he will not be coming here. too bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turningpoint Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 Well he's worth about 5years 13 mill with a 4 mill siging bonus... and the cutting of Kim Herring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 I seem to be one of the few that is not interested No, you're not. I'd rather have the other Sharper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalboomer7 Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 me too, by faaarrrrrr!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 this guy should be brought in and signed. Have we forgotten the total collapse of the Packers defense last season? Any team that played them attacked them primarily through the air, and usually with much success!I'm with boomer on this guy: Keep movin' it on down the road buddy. Tell your story walkin'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 Have we forgotten the total collapse of the Packers defense last season? Any team that played them attacked them primarily through the air, and usually with much success! That didn't have anything to do w/ Mark Roman, did it? Unless Darren Shaper could be signed for a song and dance, pass. Jamie Sharper would be a different story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalNation1281 Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 this guy should be brought in and signed.Have we forgotten the total collapse of the Packers defense last season? Any team that played them attacked them primarily through the air, and usually with much success!I'm with boomer on this guy: Keep movin' it on down the road buddy. Tell your story walkin'! I wholeheartedly agree...I watched a few Packers games last year, and every QB that they faced chopped up that secondary like OJ.But I would love to have Jamie Sharper :player: :player: :player: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whur CHad At? Posted March 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 Prob. won't get either. Bengal's are too cheap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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