Sharper holds no ill will toward PackersBy Dylan B. Tomlinson, The (Appleton, Wis.) Post-CrescentFor many years, Darren Sharper was the anchor of the Green Bay Packers' defense.

Few safeties made the kind of impact Sharper did during his eight seasons with the Packers. He had 36 interceptions. He was a two-time Pro Bowler. He led the Packers in interceptions for five straight seasons. From 2000 to 2004, Sharper had 31 interceptions, which was five more than anyone else in the NFL during that span.

Even last season, when there was more than a whisper about Sharper's declining skills, he still was the Packers' most productive defensive player. He had four interceptions and scored three touchdowns, two on interception returns and another on a fumble return.

During the offseason, the Packers asked Sharper to take a pay cut from the $6 million he was due for the 2005 season. When he refused, he was released on March 10.

Two days later, Sharper signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, a deal that included $4 million in signing bonuses.

Sharper said it wasn't the way he wanted to leave, but he said he understands that it was a business move. By cutting Sharper, the Packers got $3.4 million in salary-cap relief.

"It just comes to a point sometimes where you go in different directions. That's what it came down to," said Sharper, whose Vikings play the Packers on Sunday in Minneapolis. "I don't have any ill will or any animosity toward Green Bay because they allowed me to become the player that I am today and to have the career that I've had thus far."

Sharper's signing was part of a major offseason overhaul to Minnesota's defense. In addition to Sharper, the Vikings acquired cornerback Fred Smoot , defensive tackle Pat Williams and linebacker Napoleon Harris . That's a large reason why Minnesota was an overwhelming preseason pick to win the NFC North, and considered by some to be a Super Bowl contender.

"We are improving and we are coming around. I kind of expected that," Sharper said. "I kind of predicted that we would start playing better at the middle part of the season. When you do add new faces, it takes a while for the team to jell. Right now, we're getting to that point when we're starting to play better as a total defensive unit."

Sharper got a fast start to his career in Minnesota. During the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he intercepted a pass from Brian Griese and returned it 88 yards for a touchdown. Unfortunately for Sharper, that has been the only high point of this season. The Vikings lost that game 24-13 and are off to a 1-4 start that might make them the NFL's biggest disappointment this season.

"Losing that game was a bit of a whirlwind," Sharper said. "It's definitely not good to start the season off with a loss, especially at home in a game that we should've won. We've tried to bounce back from that, especially on the defensive side of the ball and as a team in general."

The following week, Sharper injured a knee in Minnesota's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and missed the next two games. Sharper returned to the lineup for last Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bears.

"Well, the first game of the season, he played pretty well," coach Mike Tice said. "He had the big pick for a touchdown. Unfortunately, we didn't win the game. (He) started out playing well the second game of the season, hurt his knee. Last week, I think he was kind of feeling his way through it a little bit."

As ugly as it's been on the field for Sharper and the Vikings, off-the-field matters haven't been the best, either. Sharper was one of 17 players who allegedly were involved in a "sex cruise" during the Vikings' bye week. Sharper has maintained he's done nothing wrong, but he said the distraction isn't something his team needs.

"The main thing you have to do is go out there and concentrate on your job," Sharper said. "When you're in the locker room or out on the field, you really can't worry about the outside issues that are going on. Winning also helps out a little bit. It makes you feel a little better. It can detract a lot of the bad issues that you're going through as a team off the field."

This is cache, read story here