Sharper leads Vikings’ defense

By Krupka  |   Tuesday, May 30, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Minnesota Vikings
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Every team has that one guy on defense that is considered the leader. For many teams, it's an imposing linebacker that will de-cleat a ball carrier and leave the opposition intimidated. For the Minnesota Vikings, it happens to be an All-Pro safety not known for his hitting power, but rather his amazing coverage skills and propensity to take turnovers to the house for a quick six. Of course, that player is free safety Darren Sharper.

The former enemy became the hallowed hero last season for the Vikings. Sharper was a longstanding member of the rival Green Bay Packers. However, the inept front office in Wisconsin thought he was washed up. They proceeded to release him--enter Minnesota. The Vikings wooed him from the beginning, and the chance to get back at his former team sold him. It only took two days for him to know exactly where he belonged, in the purple and white. He quickly signed a four-year contract to make his home in the boisterous Metrodome.

Immediately, Sharper provided the Vikings with a quick dividend on their investment. He scored the first points of the season for the team, when he intercepted a Brian Griese pass and returned it 88 yards for a touchdown.

Another highlight in his first year as a Viking occurred in a Week 10 matchup with the New York Giants. He took Eli Manning to school, and gave him a lesson the young quarterback will never forget. On a second-and-6 from the Minnesota 11, Manning dropped back to pass and thought he was going to hit wide receiver Plaxico Burress with a touchdown; instead, he saw the Vikings' free safety step in front and streak down the sideline for a 92-yard touchdown. On the day, Sharper picked off three passes in the team's 24-21 victory, in which the Minnesota Vikings amazingly failed to score an offensive touchdown.

Quarterbacks around the league can sympathize with the young Manning, because he wasn't the only victim of the 2005-2006 season, nor has he been the only quarterback to give a failed chase while Sharper sprints to the endzone.

Last season, Sharper finished with the second-most interceptions in the NFL as he tallied nine, only trailing Ty Law and Deltha O'Neal, who each had 10. Not bad for a "washed up" free safety.

Aside from the interceptions, Sharper brought vast knowledge of the rival Green Bay Packers with him. After all, he practiced against that very offense for eight seasons, while a member of their defense. His knowledge of the opponent helped with the game planning, and allowed him to call out routes to help the rest of the secondary. He is also an avid film studier and has a tremendous work-ethic. His great characteristics should rub off on some of the youngsters in the secondary like Dustin Fox, rookie Cedric Griffin and perhaps hard-hitting free-agent acquisition Tank Williams.

Sharper is the epitome of a leader on and off the field. He has never had his name in the news for a bad reason, is always trying to learn and pass along knowledge to his teammates, and mirrors the image of what owner Zygi Wilf wants in his players. He is a man of good morals, character and most importantly, a tremendous football player. Sharper has also been known to give expert football commentary to the NFL Network and the EA Sports NFL Matchup, in addition to being miked-up for NFL Films.

Nine interceptions and two touchdowns was a great start with his new team last season. What can free safety Darren Sharper do for an encore in 2006? Possibly an interception return for a touchdown off Washington Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell in the opening game of the season. Then, it will most likely continue with a few interceptions from the handfuls that Packers quarterback Brett Favre could be dishing out this year. In any event, look for the leader to guide the defense to great heights in '06.

Get more Darren Sharper insights at Realfootball365.com

Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com
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