Warren Sapp takes it 'one day at a time'

EGG HARBOR CITY, N.J. ‐ With that trademark chuckle, ex-NFL star Warren Sapp laughed off the idea that he misses talking football after being fired by the NFL Network earlier this year. Sapp insisted he still talks football every day of his life, and more than he'd probably like.

It's just not in front of the camera and in the public eye these days after Sapp lost his job following a post-Super Bowl arrest in Phoenix, Ariz. The Hall of Fame defensive tackle was charged with soliciting a prostitute and assault in February. He reportedly accepted a deal where he plead guilty "to one count of solicitation and one count of assault and in exchange he must complete 2 counseling programs."

Asked Monday at Ron Jaworski's Celebrity Golf Challenge, what is in his future, Sapp replied in a hushed tone, "Live one day at a time."

Is everything going good so far?

"One day at a time," he said.

Does he desire to one day get back in the public spotlight and resume what was once a promising career?

"I haven't desired anything in a long time, my man," said Sapp, who received a direct invite from Jaworski to the event (where half the proceeds go to the NFL Alumni Association) and immediately accepted.

Sapp's employment status hasn't kept him away from the game completely. He remains in tune with what is going on around the league.

He's been following the offseason closely. It doesn't mean he's been able to figure out the NFC East. That remains an enigma after an offseason filled with drama and personnel moves.

"I have no idea what the hell Chip Kelly is doing," Sapp said emphatically, his voice finally reaching its seemingly normal tone. "The Giants, I have no idea what they're doing because they're still looking for linemen, I think. And the Cowboys, they're always going to be the Cowboys. Haha. That will be fun. The East will be tough."

Sapp's uncertainty with the Giants stems almost exclusively on their offensive line. He questions whether they can run the ball consistently.

And if there is one thing Sapp seems certain about, it's how the Giants want to operate.

"I know Coughlin. He's going to want to run the ball," Sapp said.

The Giants didn't run the ball last season. That was not lost on Sapp. They finished 23rd in the NFL at just over 100 yards per game.  

"Like I said, [Coughlin's] going to want to run the ball. That is the key for him," Sapp said. "As complex and wide open as you think it is, turn around and hand it off if you want to win a football game if you can dominate the line of scrimmage.

"Coughlin is from that old school. I know that for a fact."

Finally, there was a glimpse of the Warren Sapp that spent seven years as an analyst at the NFL Network. Talking football brought it out of him.


(nj.com)