Jim Souhan: Condition, desire have Sharper passing greats

Giants star Michael Strahan skips training camp for a very good reason: He wants to. Dolphins star Jason Taylor dances with the stars -- except when it comes to offseason workouts, when he tangos to his own drummer.

For NFL players of pedigree, the importance of offseason practices, and even training camp, is a matter of personal taste and agenda, and yet Darren Sharper spent last week running sprints, tutoring younger teammates and meeting with coaches.

In terms of his willingness to prepare himself, Sharper is in midseason form.

Preparing for his 12th season in the NFL and fourth with the Vikings, Sharper looks the same as he ever was, and what fans might forget about him after two average statistical seasons is that he is one of the most accomplished players of his generation.

Sharper has 53 career interceptions, placing him first among active players and tied for 21st all-time, with Deion Sanders. If Sharper snags six interceptions this year -- and that would be a median expectation with Jared Allen expected to cause many a fluttering pass -- he will pass more of the greatest names in NFL history.

Six interceptions would move him past Darrell Green, Willie Brown, Eric Allen, Aeneas Williams, Pat Fischer, Lem Barney, Everson Walls, Johnny Robinson, Eugene Robinson, Bobby Boyd, Mel Blount and Emmitt Thomas into ninth on the career list. Another six interceptions in 2009 -- and Sharper has no intention of 2008 representing a farewell tour -- would move Sharper past Dick LeBeau, Dave Brown and Ronnie Lott and into a fifth-place tie with Ken Riley.

That would leave only four names ahead of him -- Vikings great Paul Krause (81), Emlen Tunnell (79), Rod Woodson (71) and Night Train Lane (68).

"If I'm able to stay healthy and play a few more years, and play at a high level, it's very intriguing to think about," he said of the possibility of landing in the Hall of Fame. "Whenever somebody asks me about it, I'm humbled. When I came into the league in 1997, I never thought I would even be in a position to have that kind of conversation."

In a league known for short career spans and spectacular flameouts, Sharper has been remarkably consistent. Since 2000, he has intercepted at least four passes a year. He looks as sleek and sculpted as ever this spring.

He attributes his interception total to his knowledge of offense -- he played quarterback in high school and started his college career at William & Mary as an offensive player -- along with relentless film work and an innate ability to react to the ball in flight.

His interception total wouldn't be near what it is now, though, if he weren't remarkably durable and athletic at the age of 32.

"The key for me is the hyperbaric chamber," Sharper said. "That is my key to success. That is my fountain of youth. You wake up in the morning, and your muscles aren't tight, and you feel rejuvenated.

Sharper could probably find a slew of "personal reasons" to skip OTAs. "But I enjoy practicing," Sharper said. "I enjoy the work. I enjoy working out. I enjoy the process of preparing for the season. I like getting out here. A lot of people would love to be able to do this for a job."

Sharper will be back on the field this week for another round of OTAs, ready to test the recuperative powers of his hyperbaric chamber.

"What other job could you have where you get to compete every day?" Sharper said. "I relish it. All of it."