It was hard to believe that after the NFC Championship game the Saints would come out and say that they were trying to hurt Brett Favre and take him out of the game. But it was also apparent that it was going to be the only way that the Saints were going to stop the Vikings. Unfortunately, the Vikings stopped themselves. Numerous turnovers was the difference between an overtime win for the Saints and the Vikings winning by three touchdowns.

So the schedule comes out and the Vikings start the 2010 NFL season at New Orleans. Brett Favre has surgery last week on his ankle and Darren Sharper puts up the following on his twitter page: “Well, y’all seen Brett had surgery on that ankle we got after in the championship game,” Saints safety Darren Sharper said. “Come Thursday night 1st game. X marks the spot.” Its one thing to say that you are going to attempt to apply pressure on Favre. But to specifically say that you are going after his bad ankle is over the line. This is a totally classless statement by Sharper. Roger Goddell should fine Sharper for making such a comment. We all know that this goes on, players going after players, but there is no need to take it this far.

Sharper was well liked when he played for the Vikings but just lost a lot of respect and credibility by making such a careless comment. This will of course add a little extra flair to the first game of the season. But this was a useless, harsh comment directed specifically at Brett Favre’s ankle. The Vikings are served best by not responding to this comment. If Darren Sharper wants to stoop to this level then so be it. The Vikings need to “take the high road” on this one.

Paul Gantner