Saints defensive coordinator Williams aimed at Brees nine years ago

The New Orleans Saints current defensive coordinator Greg Williams recently talked about his tie with quarterback Drew Brees. Out of our expectation, Williams said the link already existed nine years ago when Brees was waiting for a call from an NFL team in the 2001 NFL draft.


According to Williams, at that time he was still the coach for the Buffalo Bills and suggested the team trade up to pick Brees at the beginning of second round as they already drafted defensive back Nate Clements in first round. However the Bills failed to find a buyer of their 46th overall pick and had to see the San Diego Chargers pick Brees away with the 32nd overall pick. As a result, the Bills drafted defensive end Aaron Schoebel with 46th pick. Williams was so mad with losing the right to pick Brees that he jumped up and down and almost pulled a hamstring.

Since then, Williams had wished for a chance to work with Brees in the same team. The Bills did have a quarterback with name Drew in 2002, but it was Drew Bledsoe. Three years after Brees put on Saints jersey, Williams finally had his wish come true to work with Brees for the Saints. What a happy ending!

Ex-Vikings DE James was ordered to enter offender program

According to reports by the Associated Press, Washington Redskins defensive end, Erasmus James, who used to play with the Minnesota Vikings, pleaded guilty to a charge of battery and was ordered to enter offender program for observation before local judge makes his final sentence.

Coming from Wisconsin, James was picked by the Vikings in 2005 as a first-round pick. During the three seasons of playing football in Vikings jersey, James had a total of 28 tackles and 5 sacks for 30 yards. He was traded to the Redskins in 2008 but did not play in 2009.

The case involving James is about a bar fight that happened in last November. According to records from the police, James was angered because a bartender refused to offer service as James and his friend arrived after closing time. The argue turned to be fight and the bartender punched one of James’ friend in face. James was arrested later and was charged with felony battery and misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

The charge for disorderly conduct was dropped on Tuesday, and instead, the prosecutors charged him with battery. As a result, Dane County Circuit Judge William E. Hanrahan delayed the sentencing and ordered James to take part in the county’s first offender program instead.

Saints safety Darren Sharper could miss offseason workouts

Although the New Orleans Saints Sean Payton did not make it clear when starting safety Darren Sharper would be available in his Saints jersey to participate in team’s offseason programs, some clues was there in Payton’s recently comments on the safety to indicate that Sharper might be held out until training camp.


According to Payton, Sharper is still working his way back into shape after undergoing a knee surgery that was originally reported to be arthroscopic surgery but later was said to be a microfracture procedure after he was signed back by the Saints. Payton said the team has been told by doctors that the rehab needs a longer time than expected and is currently somewhere in the middle, so it’s reasonable to expect Sharper to return by the time training camp. Before that, Sharper would have some proper workout on his own in preparation for hard training camp.

While talking about Sharper, it’s inevitable to mention a much younger safety Malcom Jenkins, who was formerly playing as cornerback but will be moved to safety this year. Payton said that Jenkins always learns quickly and his physical traits would make him a best backup at the position of safety.

Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson is prepared for any Favre decision

While people are discussing about Brett Favre’s decision on his possible return or retirement, the Minnesota Vikings backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is preparing for any possible situation with or without Favre.

After getting a new contract from the Vikings to get out of free agency, Jackson has made it clear that he is happy to continue wearing Vikings jersey. Saying that he used to think about change for a while but finally found his best choice is to stay with the Vikings, Jackson told reporters that Vikings are the only organization he had ever known and the only team that could offer him best opportunity. The opportunity very likely refers to the chance of being starting quarterback in case Favre does not return.

As about the situation without Brett Favre, there has been consensus that Jackson would compete for the starting job with the other backup Sage Rosenfels. It’s also commonly recognized that head coach Brad Childress would prefer Jackson to Rosenfels as he already won the job once last season but had to move back to back up because of Favre’s sudden mind change.

Talking about this season, Jackson made it clear that this time he won’t be caught off guard, as he is prepared for either playing as backup or starter. He added that he thinks Favre will any way return with the team. Well, whatever, that’s a good attitude for a No.2 quarterback of the Vikings.

Saints saved money in re-signing safety Sharper

Now we all know that veteran safety Darren Sharper will put on the No.12 New Orleans Saints jersey for one more season on a one-year contract. Well, some people said the Saints signed the veteran back because he is necessary to the team’s defense, but if so, why did not they put the franchise tag on Sharper earlier this offseason?


Placing a franchise tag on Sharper will also keep the safety with the Saints for another one year, but the cost would be $6.455 million, even higher than the $5 million Sharper previously asked for to match his performance in 2009 season. So the Saints actually saved as much as about $5 million by re-signing Sharper with a one-year contract worth about $1.5 million, 0.2 million less than the $1.7 million contract signed last offseason. The offer was made after Sharper received no big offer from other teams, so the Saints held the initiative to set the price, and they did not offer much.

The new contract also includes a $75,000 signing bonus and additional $1 million for roster bonus, which is usually avoided by teams before the due time. So, even though Sharpe managed to be selected to the Pro Bowl and had a league-high nine interceptions last season, his age and knee injury issue still prevented him from making more money.

Undrafted free agent Sherels is trying his chance with Vikings

Becoming an undrafted free agent after the 2010 NFL draft ended more than a week ago, former Rochester John Marshall cornerback is now wearing Minnesota Vikings in the team’s rookie training camp to try out his chance of joining an NFL team. And he is confident that he would be with the team after giving impressive performance.

"It's the next step after college, all you can ask for is a chance. Yes, I was a little disappointed that I didn't get picked up or drafted.” Said Sherels, “But now, here is the time, everyone's equal, you have to prove everyone wrong, it's time to step up... whoever makes the most plays and impresses the coaches."

Sherels had a brilliant college football career with the John Marshall and the University of Minnesota and has been famous for his quick feet. As every standout college player wishes, Sherels also expects to start his professional NFL career to have more significant achievements. Whether he will get the chance to put on the Vikings jersey will depend on how much he impressed team coaches during the three-day rookie camp. If he makes it, it would be like long-time dream coming true and the relatively short man would definitely do his best to maximize what he can do for the team.

Saints UFA safety Sharper is on the way to new team

Remaining an unrestricted free agent even a few days after the 2010 NFL draft ended the New Orleans Saints star safety Darren Sharper is not taking action to find a possible new team, among a few potential suitors like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys. Actually, Sharper is already having a plan to visit the Jaguars.


According to reports, there are not many teams having interests in Sharper, who is 35 years old, recovering from an offseason knee surgery, and had 71 tackles and 9 interceptions for the Saints last season. What makes it possible for him to go Jacksonville is that the Jaguars happened not to pick a safety in the three-day draft. There are also reports that the Dallas Cowboys are interested in adding an experienced veteran safety like Sharper, so the Dallas city could the next stop on Sharper’s travel for new team.

However, analysts have not ruled out the possibility of Sharper wearing back Saints jersey. After all, he had just played with the team for only one season and managed to earn a Super Bowl ring. The problem is Sharper is asking for a price that the Saints may not be willing to offer. If any side wants to keep the relationship, there would be a long-time contract negotiation.