On October 4, 2009, Sharper returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown, the longest in Saints history. It was also his second 95+ yard interception return for a touchdown for the season. On October 25, Sharper returned his third interception for a touchdown on the season, a team record. At the end of Week 8, on Monday Night Football, Sharper intercepted a pass from Atlanta's Matt Ryan to help keep the Saints' perfect record. It was his seventh interception of the season. On November 30, once again on Monday Night Football, Sharper intercepted a desperation pass from New England's Tom Brady and returned it 35 yards, which would have left him 4 yards short of the NFL record for interception return yards in a season, set by Baltimore's Ed Reed in 2004, but the interception was called back due to a penalty.

Sharper then broke that record in a December 27 game against Tampa Bay, intercepting Josh Freeman's pass and returning it 21 yards. This gave him 9 interceptions on the year and 376 return yards (including 3 interceptions returned for touchdowns). It was the 63rd interception of Sharper's NFL career, tying him for sixth on the all-time list. The following week, Sharper was selected for his 5th Pro Bowl. His 376 interception return yards broke the NFL single season record of 358 previously held by Ed Reed.

Sharper also shares an NFL record with Deion Sanders for most games with 50+ interception return yards (9) and owns the NFL record for most games with 75+ interception return yards (6).

Q: John, did the Jets' signing of Jason Taylor take away a potential suitor for Darren Sharper since they are bound by the final eight rule and have now filled their only vacant UFA exception?

Ry in New Orleans

A: That is correct. The Jets would have to lose another unrestricted free agent to bring in a Mark Brunell or a Sharper. The Jets have done more than any of the other final four teams by making trades for cornerback Antonio Cromartie and WR Santonio Holmes. They added safety Brodney Pool, RB LaDainian Tomlinson and Taylor. Some might argue the Jets did too much. It's not certain they are better at running back with Shonn Greene, Joe McKnight and Tomlinson than they were with Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and Greene. Are they better at guard with Vladimir Ducasse replacing Alan Faneca? They made major steps forward, but I think they took a step or two backward in the process.

That is music to my ears...

Darren Sharper left his visit with the Jaguars on Thursday without a contract, according to a league source, but the two sides remain in dialogue following a productive discussion.

The Pro Bowl safety made his first visit to Jacksonville on Wednesday, spending the night there and departing for the airport Thursday afternoon. The Saints remain interested in re-signing Sharper and have been in contact with his agent throughout the offseason.

Miami and Washington could also be teams to monitor, as both have a need at free safety.

"One thing I've always liked about Darren, he has this unique ability, like Rod Woodson and like Ed Reed and those guys, they have an intuition of where the ball is going to be probably 90 or 95 percent of the time. And they have a really good sense of understanding how to play defense.

"Some people play the game of defense, and they're just playing it. Some people understand all the reasons for what everybody is doing out there. Darren really understands it, and that's what makes him unique. He understands the defense and the offense. A lot of people don't have that mindset."

Sharper, 33, said the one thing he thinks he has most in common with those all-time greats is his longevity.

Tired of hearing that Sharper is too old.

Rod Woodson was old and still beasting late in his career. In the Raiders 2002 Super Bowl season, 37-year old Woodson led the NFL in interceptions (8).

Brett Favre is 40 years old and almost led his team to a Super Bowl last season.

Bernard Hopkins at age 45 has been taking hits as a boxer his whole life and is the light heavyweight champion of the world.

Its all on how well you take care of your body. Perfect example is Ricky Williams. The hardest working player on the Phins as said by many of the Miami Dolphins staff members. He eats well and is healthy as can be.

Valid point, but combine his age with his recent surgery and its a gamble that not a lot of people would want to bet on.