Vikings Keep Darren Sharper + Rumor Round-Up

Darren Sharper will be around for one more year. Today the Vikings picked up his $100,000 roster bonus.

Mixed feelings about this one. Yes, Sharper made the Pro Bowl last year – but so did Tony Richardson, and he’s all but out the door. At this point in his career, all Sharper really does is play centerfield. He’s often late getting over to help, a lot of times because he’s out of position, and a lot of times because he’s old and not that fast anymore. And he missed a couple of big play chances too – which made him look like a schmuck after his remarks about Brad Childress sometimes not letting playmakers make plays.

On Dwight Smith…the Lions have signed him to a two-year contract. So he’ll get at least four cracks at making the Vikings pay for letting him go.

Catching up on the rumors:

Justin Smith is a name we’ve been hearing for a few days. The Bengals defensive end is believed on the verge of leaving Cincinnati, and now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have sick cap-room, are supposedly in on him big time. His sack totals haven’t been exactly staggering, so I don’t know how much of an upgrade he’d really be anyway.

Justin Gage will stay in Tennessee, so strike him off. Alge Crumpler also looks like he will be joining the Titans – not that the Vikings were looking at him or any other decent pass-catching tight end anyway (we know receiving tight ends are useless in Childress’s offense).

Javon Walker is probably going to be cut before he’s traded. The Cowboys, Buccaneers and Redskins are all reportedly interested. Again, he’s a West Coast guy, but again, he’s a pain in the ass.

Four teams are reportedly interested in Todd Collins, who will try free agency, but give the Redskins the right to match any offer. The story doesn’t say which four teams like Collins.