Sharper's instincts still fine-tuned

Jamie Sharper (left), who played for the Seahawks among other teams, celebrated an NFL game against his brother when Darren was a Viking.

Returning to stardom, Saints safety hopes to match brother's Super Bowl ring

Free safety Darren Sharper stood inside the visitors' locker room inside Redskins Park in early December, swarmed by reporters.

He paused mid-sentence, reached into his stall and pulled out his new NFC South Champions hat, fitting gear after his New Orleans Saints' victory over the Washington Redskins.

A key player in the Saints' eventual 13-0 start, Sharper explained how apt the team's popular "Who Dat?" chant is.

"We say 'Who dat dem gonna beat dem Saints?' and right now it's nobody," he said, flashing his GQ smile.

There's no wondering who Sharper is, especially this season. He's gone from being someone some suspected as a faded free-agent signee to contender for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The stealthy star is a prime reason New Orleans (13-3) is playing host to the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC divisional playoffs on Saturday.

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