Harper says he does not regret a late hit on Carolina receiver Steve Smith that drew a $15,000 fine from the NFL this week.||||||| Harper says the fine was worth it and that his decision to shove Smith as the receiver slowly crossed the goal line last Sunday was good for his team and got his point across. Harper had said after Sunday's 30-27 Saints victory that if a player is going to score on the Saints, he's not going allow anyone to just "walk it in" the end zone. Harper's shove incited a brief scrum between the two teams.

The New Orleans Saints have agreed to terms of a 4-year contract with Harper.||||||| The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Harper, a second-round draft pick out of Alabama in 2006, became a starter for the Saints as a rookie and was a Pro Bowl alternate the last two seasons.

Harper is out for Sunday's game with a strained right hamstring.||||||| Pierson Prioleau was replacing Harper.

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says Harper has signed his one-year restricted free agent tender offer. Harper's decision ensures he will make at least $2.52 million in 2010, but it won't necessarily head off a training camp holdout.||||||| Harper, a fifth-year safety and a starter since his rookie year, had resisted signing because he wanted a longer deal. He signed on Tuesday to avoid a situation whereby the Saints, under the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, could lower their offer to 110 percent of Harper's 2009 salary, or around $600,000. Last season, Harper was credited with 99 total tackles, second on the club behind linebacker Jon Vilma. Harper also forced two fumbles and had 1.5 sacks.