The courtship period between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Saints free safety Darren Sharper lasted 24 hours after The Jags failed to offer enough money for Sharper not to return to the Saints. .

Sharper is scheduled for a visit to Dallas on Friday as he tests the free agent market.

Sharper left Jacksonville without a contract and will continue to explore his options.

Sharper, who made All-Pro last season at age 34, was a key figure in the Saints march to the NFL championship. He is seeking a significant raise from the one-year $1.7 million contract he received last season. It’s still possible the Jaguars might sign Sharper, but a lot hinges on whether both side can reach a compromise on guaranteed money

Though Sharper’s age is a concern, his veteran leadership and instincts are something other teams could need, including the Saints.

With the season more than four months away, Sharper is looking to recoup money after playing way above his salary level last season. Sharper has said an All-Pro safety is worth $5 million. The Saints don’t agree. Safety Brian Dawkins, former Eagle, set the bar last year at age 35 by signing a five-year, $17 million deal with the Broncos.

Sharper wants to return to the Saints, but GM Mickey Loomis only wants him back at their price and was willing to let him test the free-agent market. Sharper waited two months to test the free agent market because he was recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. No matter who signs him, Sharper will likely not be cleared for full organized team activity sessions until June.

I agree that Sharper did have an “All Pro” type year during the Saints Super Bowl run.  But we all have to remember that there is no “I” in “Team”.  Sharper was a force in the backfield when Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter were on the corners, but when they were absent, Sharper was just average.

Sharper does have to remember though, that there is an “I” in “Time”, which is something Sharper is running out of.