Shortly after Antrel Rolle was released Thusday, his agent began looking at potential destinations.

The Saints informed FS Darren Sharper on Monday that they will not apply the franchise tag to him, according to a league source.

We are now less than a week from the deadline (Feb. 25) by which teams must apply the franchise tag to prevent potential unrestricted free agents from hitting the market. Who will get tagged?

NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche believes the Saints will apply the franchise tag to unrestricted free-agent FS Darren Sharper.

Saints TE Jeremy Shockey (knee), FS Darren Sharper (knee) and LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) seemingly worked in every practice drill Wednesday in Coral Gables, Fla., and looked good despite their injuries, according to Super Bowl pool reporter John Czarnecki.

Safety Darren Sharper is the Saints’ prominent veteran. So if there’s a gauge to judge where the team is at heading into the Super Bowl, Sharper is as good as any.

Saints safety Darren Sharper takes a good-natured (or so it seemed) jab at Colts QB Peyton Manning.

The Saints and coach Sean Payton will be the first news conference of Super Bowl Week on Monday.

The Saints received good news on the injury front Friday, when CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), FS Darren Sharper (knee) and LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) all returned to practice, albeit in limited fashion.

The Colts and Saints submitted their first practice reports Wednesday with some important players missing from action as both teams begin preparations for Super Bowl XLIV.

Saints safety Darren Sharper (knee) and WR Robert Meachem (ankle) returned to practice on Thursday on a limited basis, while TE Jeremy Shockey (knee) and CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring) missed practice for the second consecutive day.

The Saints were without FS Darren Sharper (knee), TE Jeremy Shockey (right knee), WR Robert Meachem (left ankle) and CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring) at Wednesday’s practice.

Jets coach Rex Ryan believes those among the nationwide panel of 50 sportswriters and broadcasters who voted for CB Darrelle Revis for NFL Defensive Player of the Year had it right.

A number of team and league records were broken in Week 17, while some players joined elite statistical company on all-time lists.

The Saints and Buccaneers should have some starters back for their NFC South showdown on Sunday.