Sapp ties his return to team's plans

Dec/28/06 09:38 AM

Defensive tackle Warren Sapp said Wednesday that he intends to play for two more years. Where he plays is up to the Raiders.

Sapp is under contract with the Raiders. However, he won't decide whether he wants to return until he hears how the Raiders plan to approach next season.

``I'm just going to sit down, have a nice little conversation and see what everybody's thinking,'' Sapp said of a planned meeting with Raiders officials after the season. ``See if we're all on the same page. If not, then we'll go different ways. If so, then we'll find a way to come back and put this thing on.''

Sapp, 34, said many of the pieces are in place for the Raiders to be successful. The Raiders are 2-13. Even so, they have the top-ranked pass defense and every member of the league's fourth-ranked defense (in average yards allowed) is under contract.

Sapp visits with Herm

Dec/24/06 09:30 AM

Oakland defensive tackle Warren Sapp and Chiefs coach Herm Edwards once worked together in Tampa Bay, where Sapp used to play and Edwards was an assistant coach.

The two got reacquainted at odd times during Saturday night’s game. Sapp ventured over to the Chiefs’ sideline more than once during timeouts and engaged in brief conversations.

At one point, Sapp put his arm around Edwards’ shoulder.

“We were wishing each other Merry Christmas,” Edwards said. “We were just (exchanging) pleasantries. It’s the season of giving.”

(kasascity.com)

Top Pro Bowl Snubs, by ESPN

Dec/20/06 03:43 PM

1. Warren Sapp, DT, Raiders: All right, we know the Raiders' offense stinks. Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter are just waiting to be sacked every time they drop back to make a pass. At 2-12, Raiders fans have a commitment to heading to the exits. But Sapp has been sensational this season. He has eight sacks on the fourth-ranked defense in the NFL. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan went back to the 4-3 defense, which plays to Sapp's strengths and he became a disruptive force again. He was beaten out by Richard Seymour (Patriots), Williams and Hampton. He wasn't even one of the top three alternates at the defensive tackle position. That's unbelievable.

4. Ray Lewis, LB, Ravens: Those who voted in favor of Al Wilson (Broncos) need to step into Lewis' office and have a chat. Lewis may not be the playmaker he was six or seven seasons ago, but he bounced back this season with Pro Bowl-caliber play. The Ravens have the league's top-ranked defense. Wilson is one of the game's best middle linebackers, but the Broncos rank 13th on defense and are giving up 26 yards a game more than the Ravens. We need a recount.

Raiders' Sapp says Rams ripe to lose Sunday

Dec/16/06 09:37 AM

ALAMEDA, Calif. - The Oakland Raiders have an 85 percent chance of losing Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, based on Oakland's 2-11 record this season. Take the Raiders to win, defensive tackle Warren Sapp said. Huh?

"The money's good this week," Sapp assured everyone within earshot.

That's right, Sapp said. The Raiders stand an 83 percent chance of beating the Rams based on the Rams' playing a Monday night game and then having to play a road game six days later.

NFL Insider: Sapp-y outlook: Raiders deserve four in Pro Bowl

Dec/13/06 09:51 AM

These hardly are the best of times for the Raiders. Still, wily veteran Warren Sapp says there might be consolation for the 2-11 team if some of its defensive standouts make the Pro Bowl.

"Our defense is solid," said the 12th-year defensive tackle, who was a Super Bowl champion with Tampa Bay and seven-time Pro Bowl player but has experienced mostly frustration in three years with Oakland.

If Sapp had his druthers, though, as many as four Raiders would be chosen for the NFL's all-star game in Honolulu on Feb. 10. He especially doesn't hide his praise for cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, a 2003 first-round pick from Cal who is tied for the league lead with seven interceptions, and defensive end Derrick Burgess, making a run at a second consecutive NFL sack title with 10.

Sapp's lament: `We didn't give ourselves a chance'

Dec/11/06 08:08 AM

CINCINNATI - The Cincinnati Bengals had the ball deep in Raiders territory in the fourth quarter Sunday, on the verge of scoring yet another touchdown. Normally, players crowd the sideline, watching the proceedings and exhorting their teammates to make a play.

Almost every Raider not on the field was seated on one of the benches, far from the field and out of view from the goings on. As it turned out, all they missed was quarterback Anthony Wright kneeling down for three plays to run out the clock.

The Raiders had seen enough of the Bengals to know that whatever happened on the final drive wouldn't hide the fact that they had been outplayed and outclassed by a better team in a 27-10 loss at Paul Brown Stadium.

``This one hurts,'' Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp said. ``This one stings. It wasn't even close. We didn't give ourselves a chance.''

Sapp rising for Bengals game

Dec/10/06 12:25 PM

Oakland's Warren Sapp has a little extra motivation Sunday when the Raiders play at Cincinnati. He says the Bengals nearly signed him in 2004 before backing out of a potential deal.

"They snatched the offer off the table," he told reporters this week.

Sapp, who was an unrestricted free agent at the time after having been released by Tampa Bay, said the Bengals "gave me an hour to take the offer.

"I called back in 57 minutes and they took the offer off the table. They said they were bidding against themselves."

(dailycamera.com)

Sapp: Bengals retracted '04 offer

Dec/07/06 10:17 AM

Warren Sapp, playing well in his 12th season, his third in Oakland, almost signed with the Bengals in 2004.

"They snatched the offer off the table," Sapp Wednesday, four days before he will take on the Bengals.

"They said they were bidding against themselves," Sapp said of the Bengals' offer in unrestricted free agency. "They gave me an hour to take the offer. I called back in 57 minutes and they took the offer off the table. They said they were bidding against themselves."

Sapp has seven sacks this season as a key veteran leader in the league's third-ranked defense.

(news.enquirer.com)

Disputed 'pass' call has Sapp seething

Nov/27/06 08:26 AM

When Warren Sapp becomes animated, his eyes grow large, and they were large now, large and overflowing with fury.

The Oakland Raiders' voluble defensive tackle was having his say concerning referee Mike Carey's ruling at Qualcomm Stadium that the Chargers'
Vincent Jackson had not fumbled but attempted an illegal forward pass after making a reception.

“How many times have you seen a completed pass caught by the receiver and then the receiver throws it again?” Sapp demanded.

Sapp, Raiders gear up for another dose of L.T., Chargers

Nov/24/06 11:08 PM

LaDainian Tomlinson is playing so well that even the archrival Oakland Raiders are saying nice things about him.

Maybe the guys in silver and black have become desensitized after losing so much to the AFC West-leading Chargers, who will be going for their seventh straight win against last-place Oakland on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium. That's never been done by the Chargers (8-2) in a series that dates to the AFL's birth in 1960.

Or maybe they just can't help but be impressed by Tomlinson's MVP-like numbers.

"I think all of the debate's been taken out with his performance over the last month and a half," Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp said. "He's always been special, but when you're putting up those kind of touchdown numbers, it just defines you. He's done it like no other."

Sapp says his food was tampered with on the road years ago

Nov/24/06 01:00 AM

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Warren Sapp is a very picky eater.

The Oakland Raiders' defensive tackle refuses to eat out on road trips for fear of getting sick, and he's not talking about the rare case of food poisoning.

Sapp insisted Wednesday his food was tampered with during his nine-year tenure in Tampa Bay from 1995-03.

"You get your food poisoned," Sapp said at Raiders headquarters. "They don't want you out there on Sunday. You don't think about it. It just got crazy."

Raiders notes: Sapp takes issue with Moss' words

Nov/23/06 11:19 AM

That's Warren Sapp's take on wide receiver Randy Moss, the Raiders' captain on offense who last week on his radio segment said he looked forward to playing for a new team.

But, as Sapp has said, Moss is Moss.

"You're not going to get him to understand that there's 57 other guys in here trying to get this job done, too, so if you have an issue with upstairs or whatever the hell it may be, you have a month and a half," Sapp said. "That's six weeks. Sit down, shut ... up and let's play football and then go talk to those people about whatever you got going. But you're not going to get that, so be it."

Warren Sapp Update

Nov/22/06 11:16 AM

Warren Sapp is getting in the opposition's backfield a lot these days and has shown a lot of energy in shooting the gaps. Oakland's front four, as a whole, has picked it up and made it possible for the linebackers and safeties to stay back in coverage, which has prevented a lot of extra yards after the catch.

(profootballnews.com)

Healthy Sapp feels rejuvenated after injury-shortened season

Nov/16/06 07:52 PM

ALAMEDA, Calif. - The struggles from his first season in Oakland when he was forced to play out of position are far behind Warren Sapp. So is the rotator cuff injury that cut short last season.

The loquacious defensive tackle that spent much of his career terrorizing opposing offenses is back at it again, trash-talking opponents and sacking quarterbacks.

"He's getting back to the old Warren Sapp that we all know," coach Art Shell said.

Sapp Goes Back to School

Nov/15/06 12:06 AM

Earlier today, Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp accompanied 5th grader Nicholas Chelemedos to his school, El Sobrante Christian School in El Sobrante, Calif., for the NFL's "Take A Player To School" event presented by the JC Penny Afterschool Program.

Out of 132,000 entries, Nick along with 34 other youngsters across the United States, had the opportunity to take a player to school. "I found out that I won two weeks ago and I was so excited. When my mom told me that I won I just stared at her with my jaw on the floor," said Nick.

Sapp arrived at the Chelemedos' house, bearing gifts and excited to begin the activities. Before heading off to school they talked, ate breakfast, and signed autographs.

Sapp is linchpin of Raiders' defense

Nov/12/06 01:23 AM

ALAMEDA, Calif. - The whispers started in 2003, on the East Coast. The player in question thought: Don't they know I'm a seven-time Pro Bowler?

The criticism grew louder the following year, this time emanating from the West Coast. The player thought: Don't they know that I'm playing out of position, that I'm taking one for the team?

It seems as if no one cared why Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp no longer was the dominant player he was for so long with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or that his resume is the envy of most of his peers. Produce or move on was the sentiment that ruled the day.

Sapp takes job, loves it

Nov/05/06 10:55 AM

Warren Sapp sounds like a man on his second honeymoon these days, adding up the good and the bad and realizing that he is more in love than ever before. He adores his job anew, gushes about his teammates and savors every play.

"There's nothing like defense, nothing, nothing,'' Sapp said last week, like a preacher leading a revival meeting. "I don't care what they say about offense. There's nothing like playing defense with 10 other guys who want it and love it, and go hit and stick and run around like wild men. It's a great thing. It's a great thing.''

Sapp's infatuation didn't refresh itself conveniently, just as the Raiders' season developed a pulse. He has felt that way most of the season, minus several moments of despair that crept in during the team's 0-5 start. He learned last year that not playing hurts even more than losing.

Season ‘worst time in my life,’ Sapp says

Oct/22/06 12:48 PM

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Warren Sapp walked by Randy Moss’ locker recently and saw a framed picture commemorating the receiver’s 100th career touchdown catch.

“You catch 100 TD passes, you think that would bring a little happiness to your life,” Sapp commented.

On this Oakland Raiders’ team there’s little to be happy about.
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Sapp takes a `shot' at Raiders' breakdowns

Oct/19/06 08:23 AM

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp is standing in front of his locker after Sunday night's game against the Denver Broncos. He's waving his arms, describing a play that he can't get past.

By now, he has everyone's attention. Six people listen in, rapt in Sapp's purging of what is bothering him most about the winless Raiders 13-3 loss in Denver. For the second time, Sapp is breaking down what transpired on a key play.

"When you're standing on the sidelines during the commercial break saying, `Watch the shot, watch the shot,' and then they come out and beat you with a shot, it makes you want to slit your wrists," Sapp said.

Winless season takes toll on Raiders' Sapp

Oct/19/06 08:20 AM

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Warren Sapp walked by Randy Moss' locker recently and saw a framed picture commemorating the receiver's 100th career touchdown catch.

"You catch 100 TD passes, you think that would bring a little happiness to your life," Sapp commented.

On this Oakland Raiders' team there's little to be happy about.

Moss goes on the radio weekly and criticizes the team. Last year's leading receiver, Jerry Porter, hasn't played a game all year and has been suspended by coach Art Shell for insubordination. And the winless Raiders are off to their worst start in more than four decades.

A MATCH MADE IN TAMPA

Oct/14/06 10:36 AM

Asked this week if the Colts could make any moves before Oct. 17's trade deadline to shore up their shaky run defense, Indianapolis head coach Tony Dungy told reporters: "I can't say we're standing pat. But I think we're pretty happy with the guys we have. And that's who's got to do it. There's not going to be anybody that you sign."

But there could be a somebody, a very significant somebody, available in a trade.

It would be worth the Indianapolis Colts time to pick up the telephone and call the winless Oakland Raiders, inquiring about the availability of defensive tackle Warren Sapp. Talk about a perfect match.

CHARGERS: He's no Sapp, but who is, Raiders tackle asks

Sep/07/06 02:09 PM

SAN DIEGO ---- The Chargers face a guy Monday night who ranks near the top in an annual NFL players poll. Yep, defensive tackle Warren Sapp is again a big part of the Raiders' defense.

That ranking? It comes from the Sports Illustrated query to players about the league's most overrated player. More years than not, it's Sapp.

"It's hate,'' Sapp said Wednesday. "I'm no longer the 1999 Defensive Player of the Year, but I'm definitely overrated by any stretch of the imagination.''

Say what?

"The only person I get compared to is myself,'' said Sapp, who missed the final six games last year with a shoulder injury. "No other defensive tackle has put up 16 1/2 and 12 1/2 sacks. "The only person I'm compared to is myself when I was 26 and 27 years old.''

Sapp Update

Aug/25/06 08:14 AM

• Defensive tackle Warren Sapp has completely changed his MO this year, making himself constantly available to any reporter with a notebook or microphone. In the past, Sapp often growled at reporters and even refused to shake hands with them.
Why the change? It's pretty obvious that Sapp, whose footwork has obviously slowed, is looking ahead to a career in media. Parrying favor with reporters at this point appears to be part of his plan.
(yahoosports.com)