Aug

21

Defensive Player Profile of the Week: Darren Sharper

Posted by The Jazzy One

August 21, 2008 |

It’s time again for another player profile (for the offensive player of the week go to http://vikings.sportsbloggingnetwork.com)

Vikings fans, meet Darren Sharper!

Darren Sharper is currently one of the most important pieces of the Minnesota Vikings defense.  He is a leader on and off the field, and considered by many to be one of the best safeties playing the game.

Sharper played college ball at William & Mary.  While he was there he earned All-America honors twice and was named first-Team All-Yankee Conference three times, and he was the Yankee Conference defensive player of the year during his senior year.  He holds the school record in interceptions and in punt return yards, and he holds the I-AA record in interception return yardage.

He was drafted in 1997 by the Green Bay Packers.  He played in Green Bay for 8 years, forming a feared defensive backfield along side cornerback Al Harris.

When the Packers released him in 2005, he signed with division rival Minnesota.  His first year with the Vikings he led the league in interceptions with 9, and was voted to his 3rd Pro Bowl appearance.  He continues to be a strong presence in the Vikings backfield, and in 2007 he was voted to the Pro Bowl for his fourth time.   He is one of only 22 players in NFL history to have 50 career interceptions.


Comments

1 Comment so far

  1. Nate Thompson on August 21, 2008 10:00 pm

    Darren Sharper is one of the best playing in the NFL. The Vikings defense is going to be very good this year with the new addition of Jarred Allen adding to the best run defense last year. They also have some very good linebackers, there are no weak spots on the defense for the Vikings.

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