UFA safety Sharper is likely to stay with Saints

According to latest reports, the New Orleans Saints unrestricted free agent Darren Sharper has finished his visit with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the most important point was, he left without receiving a contract offer. So there is still good chance for the veteran safety to wear back the Saints jersey.

With nine interception during the 2009 season, Sharper helped build up one of the most fierce secondaries in the league for the Saints and is highly expected to return with the team for more seasons. Actually, both the player and the team are hoping for a long-term relationship, but the problem is the 34-year-old veteran is asking for a high way while the Saints are not willing to overpay. While contract negotiation is still going on between the two sides, Sharper takes his actions to visit other teams that hold interests in him. Still, there is money issue. It’s hard to believe there would be any team willing to pay higher than the Saints.

On the other side, the Saints are not staying still waiting for Sharper’s decision. On the same day when Sharper made his visit to Jaguars, the Saints welcomed free agent linebacker Clint Ingram from the Jaguars. Reportedly, Ingram is highly expected to join the Saints and solve the problem with outside linebacker. Does that have anything with Sharper’s return? Well, with the outside linebacker being no more big issue, the Saints now have much room to make moves with positions like cornerback and safety. What’s very likely to happen is that rookie cornerback Patrick Robinson’s arrival will allow the Saints to move veteran Malcolm Jenkins to safety as replacement for Sharper if the latter chooses not to return. Then the advantage is not really laying the Sharper’s side. He is now old and replaceable, if there is an offer, he’d better sign it soon.

Ravens RFA Chester is unlikely to put on new NFL jersey soon

Although the Baltimore Ravens restricted free agent offensive lineman Chris Chester is quick and versatile, having played center, both offensive guard spots, blocking tight end and fullback during his first four career seasons with the Ravens, he remains on the free agent market without forthcoming offer while it’s only three days left before the deadline of free agency.

Actually, Chester did have been receiving exploratory interest from other NFL teams, but teams are simply normally reluctant to surrender a draft pick in exchange for a player, and Chester, the second-round pick in 2006 draft, is assigned an original-round tender. Any team that is to sign Chester away will have to compensate the Ravens with at least a third-round draft pick. So what is more likely to happen is that Chester will remain in Ravens jersey as a key backup this coming season.

Having started 33 games during the past four seasons, the 6-foot-3, 315-pound lineman started 13 games last season but the only chances for him to get starting job again is either offensive tackle Jared Gaither being traded or center Matt Birk or guards Ben Grubbs and Marshall Yanda getting injured.

Cardinals finally released safety Rolle

After several weeks’ speculation and just as what has been expected, the Arizona Cardinals announced on Thursday that they have release starting safety Antrel Rolle, who is due a $4 million roster bonus on March 19 and $8 million salary in 2010 season.

Thus Rolle joined former starting inside linebacker Karlos Dansby on the free agent market. Dansby was given the franchise tag for both for the past two years but was released this offseason to become an unrestricted free agent.

Putting on Cardinals jersey in 2005 as a first-round draft pick, Rolle began his pro career as a cornerback but was switched to safety in 2008. Playing in 68 regular-season games, Rolle started in 59 of them and had 12 interceptions, four forced fumbles and 1 1/2 sacks. In addition, he had an interception and a fumble recovery in six postseason games.

On the same day of releasing Rolle, the Cardinals tendered one-year contract offers to five players: wide receiver Steve Breaston, guard Deuce Lutui, center Lyle Sendlein, tight end Ben Patrick and nose tackle Gabe Watson.

Vikings DE Edwards received first-round tender from team

In the hope of getting a long-term deal, the Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards received a first-round tender from the team instead. It’s far from what he has been expecting, but it’s better than nothing.

With the first-round tender placed on him as a restricted free agent, Edwards will be in line to earn $2.521 million this season. That offer was not a big one for a player who made 8 1/2 sacks in the regular season and then led the team with four in two postseason games.

It’s just also hard for the Vikings to evaluate Edwards’ value. He indeed has done great job but the there are still greater pass rushers in Vikings jerseys. Comparing to Edwards, opponents always pay more attention to stop Jared Allen, and the Vikings can move tackle Kevin Williams to defensive end position if necessary. So, a first-round tender is by so far the best offer Edwards can get for 2010 season.

Cardinals are suspected to be working on retaining safety Rolle

Although most reports said that the Arizona Cardinals will release safety Antrel Rolle as they are unlikely to extend his contract before he has to pay the safety $4 million roster bonus this month, some other reports express different opinions.

NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi reports the team still would remain the favorite to re-sign the Pro Bowler. And according to Cardinals general manager Rod Graves, the organization is indeed working on restructuring and extending Rolle’s current deal, which calls for more than $8 million in salary. Problem is the five-year veteran is unlikely to accept a salary cut.

Put on his Cardinals jersey as a first round draft pick, Rolle successfully changed his role from a cornerback to full-time safety in 2008. Starting 15 games in 2009 season with 72 tackles, four interceptions and 1.5 sacks, Rolle has played totally in 68 games and returned four of his 12 career interceptions for touchdowns. With such a resume, Rolle obviously has the confidence to test his value in free agent market if the Cardinals’ offer does not meet his demands.

Six NFL teams have selected their franchise players

By so far, six NFL players have been designated with franchise tags from their teams. The New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork was the first one, followed by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin and Green Bay Packers nose tackle Ryan Pickett.

The other three teams did not follow the first three teams to place the tag on their nose tackles, too. Instead, the Oakland Raiders tagged defensive end Richard Seymour, the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers both placed the tag on kickers, respectively Olindo Mare and Jeff Reed.

Among the six tagged players, five of them received non-exclusive tags that allow them to negotiate with other teams. And if they have intention to put on other teams’ NFL jerseys, their current teams have the right to match any offer or get two first-round draft picks. The only other player who was designated with an exclusive franchise is Seymour, who will be guaranteed at least $12.398 million to be one of the highest paid defensive ends in the league.

Saints are unlikely to tag safety Sharper

Although veteran safety Darren Sharper made great contribution to the New Orleans Saints’ Super Bowl win and a lot of fans believe that he should be retained for 2010 season, the possibility of the Saints placing a franchise tag on him seems unlikely.

Tagging Sharper would be an expensive move to the Saints. Signing the safety as a free agent last march with $1.7 million deal, the Saints would have to pay Sharper $6.455 million this season for placing franchise tag on him. Also, Sharper is turning 35 this year, meaning that there will be few seasons left for him to continue playing football in NFL jerseys, and that should be included in Saints’ consideration before they make decision on a deal with Sharper.

If the Saints do not tag Sharper, he will become a free agent on March 5 and then has the right choose what team to join. Will the Saints have a deal with him or just let him walk away to make his own choice with other teams? It remains a question to be answered in this offseason.

Cowboys will try to retain WR Austin without franchise tag

The Dallas Cowboys have a clear evaluation of wide receiver Miles Austin’s value after the 2009 season, so they have set their mind to retain the receiver although they could receiver first or third round picks if they accept trade offer from other teams for Austin.

"We’re just not going to have Miles Austin any place but with the Dallas Cowboys," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "We need him."

But the team needs to take fast action if they are determined to retain Austin, who is among the 200-plus restricted free agents that could become unrestricted if a new CBA is in place before March 5. According to Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones, the Cowboys will not designate Austin its franchise player as the team doesn’t plan to spend wildly on free agents if the NFL has no salary cap in 2010. Then what would they offer to keep Austin in his No. 19 Cowboys jersey? There has not been confirmed information.