Warren Sapp: He Raised the Bar

[PewterKrew]

Warren Sapp. Sit there for a minute, say those two words aloud, "Warren Sapp." Now reflect.

What words come to mind? For me, loud. Proud. Obnoxious. Intense. Focused. Dedicated. Mean. Nice. Professional. Honorable. Reliable. Assertive. Accountable. Winner. Champion. Buccaneer!

What images come to mind? The first image that came to my mind, was his look of intense displeasure that he had just been drafted by the "Yucs." That's how he referred to the organization that he would come to love and cherish. Then images flooded my mind of his first TD against Chicago. His intense and comical interviews. His on field competitive feud with Brett Favre that escalated in the 1997 Divisional Playoff game, and provided us with years of intense Buccs/Packer games. His airplane celebration after a sack. His congratulatory praises to other players when they made the play. His intense and fiery inquisitions when someone didn't make the play. His gleeful skip through opponents calisthenics. His first offensive TD as a Tight End. Followed by his Beyonce TD celebration. Finally he and Derrick Brooks, arms around each other, on the sideline during the Super Bowl.

What thoughts come to mind? I thought, you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. I wish he was still in Tampa. Can he ever be replaced? How long will it be until he's replaced if he ever is? Will he retire a Buccaneer?

Warren Sapp revolutionized the position of Defensive Tackle. Every year when the flowers start to bloom, and the trees begin to bud, it's draft time and we are guaranteed to hear comparisons of this year's college DT's to Warren Sapp. "This kid is the next Sapp. That kid reminds me of Sapp. He has Sapp's explosive first step."

By virtue of it's position, and it's responsibilities in the overall defensive scheme, the position of DT isn't meant to sack the QB. Any sacks by a DT are a bonus. The DT's job is to create havoc inside. Against the run, The DT's job is to occupy as many Offensive Linemen as possible to keep the Linebackers free to make tackles. DT's job on passing plays is to collapse the pocket from the inside, not allowing the QB to step into his throws or escaping the pocket inside, and forcing them outside into the waiting arms of the Defensive Ends. This is hard and fast evidenced by DE's gracing the top of the all time sack leaders list, both for seasonal and career standings. One to three sacks is respectable. Four to six sacks is great. Seven to eight sacks per season by a DT is Hall of Fame worthy. Sapp has averaged 7.87(almost 8) sacks per season during his twelve year career. He's had such exceptional seasons compiling 10.5, 12.5, 16.5, and 10 in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2006 respectively. Those totals are Hall of Fame worthy with out question.

The problem we as Bucs fans face after witnessing first hand what Warren accomplished, is our expectations. We want...no we expect every DT who walks through 1 Buc place to perform at the same level. Well folks, that's just not going to happen any time soon if ever again. Anthony McFarland averaged 2.8 sacks per season, which is respectable. The problem was, he was a first round draft choice, and we expected him to replace Sapp someday. To the fault of Booger, he accepted the type of money Warren made, but didn't produce the same results. Sure we can't expect him to say, "no Rich, I don't deserve that money, I'll take half." But you reap what you sow. His Grim Reaper was a fan base that turned on him and labeled him a bust.

In 2005 Chris Hovan was our best defensive lineman. He was an animal, and was the key factor to a resurgence to run stuffing by the Bucs defense. Sure Chris got credit by most fans, but there were still a portion of fans and media who pointed out the fact that he had zero sacks on the season. What? The guy puts in a team MVP performance, and still has detractors? Sorry Chris, you followed too closely behind a Buccaneer legend. You played great, and this Bucs fan loves you for it. The team rewarded you for it with a nice contract, but you and any other DT who walks through the Buccaneer locker room will be compared to Warren for the foreseeable future.

So right now, up front I will apologize to you Kevin Carter, Jovan Haye, Greg Peterson, Julian Jenkins, Darrell Campbell and Ryan Sims. If you're Boo'd, it's not your fault. Warren Sapp raised the bar, and it's almost unattainable.

[Selmon63]

What are Buccs fans?

[Chebington]

Yes, Bucs fans have been spoiled by Sapp. But that doesn't mean our UT shouldn't get penetration and cause the offense to cry.

And for the last freakin' time, Hovan is a nosetackle. He isn't supposed to get sacks; he's supposed to split double teams. Those who knock a nose for being double-teamed or for not getting great pressure need to read up on their football.

[BFT]

Originally Posted by Chebington

Yes, Bucs fans have been spoiled by Sapp. But that doesn't mean our UT shouldn't get penetration and cause the offense to cry.

And for the last freakin' time, Hovan is a nosetackle. He isn't supposed to get sacks; he's supposed to split double teams. Those who knock a nose for being double-teamed or for not getting great pressure need to read up on their football.

/excuses

[PewterKrew]

I dont think any where in their that someone knocked Hovan for doing his job, I think they called him an animal an key factor to stopping the run, you might think about reading before typing

[BFT]

Originally Posted by PewterKrew

I dont think any where in their that someone knocked Hovan for doing his job, I think they called him an animal an key factor to stopping the run, you might think about reading before typing

[Big Buc Fan]

PK, what a very well thought out prose. I agree 100% with you on everything. I feel sorry for the lads that had/have to follow in Warren's shoes. There will never be another Mean Joe Green, Rosie Grier, Carl Eller, Diron Talbert and there will never be another Warren Sapp, IMO.

By the way, when did we start playing a 3-4 defense and instilling a nose tackle position for Hovan to play ?

Long live Warren and GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

great stuff........but you forgot "funny".......... sapp was the alltime soundbite king.

[Crocaneers]

Was it the Buffalo game that he went over and grabbed a drink of water off the table? and then got kicked out of the game?

He had some RayJay moments, and I do miss him.

But he is still a fat something or other.

sure was.

[PewterKrew]

Glad you guys and gals enjoyed it just trying to have a little breath of fresh air, it is the longest 5 weeks of the year right now. figured what the heck got to have something to read other then all the negativity that some would rather spew.

[BucnChuckieFan]

Originally Posted by PewterKrew

Glad you guys and gals enjoyed it just trying to have a little breath of fresh air, it is the longest 5 weeks of the year right now. figured what the heck got to have something to read other then all the negativity that some would rather spew.

Thanks for the fresh air! I haven't been around much lately because frankly I'm sick and tired of all the negativity. I loved having Sapp here and was really ****ed when they chose Booger over him. I knew the defense would miss his leadership and I miss his antics. Let's face it--the guy might have been a showboat, but he was the ultimate Buc! I sure hope he retires with the Buccaneers, although I suspect he may have some hard feelings and retire in Oakland, just like John Lynch will probably retire in Denver.

[Descent]

Sapp was never boring.

Originally Posted by BucnChuckieFan

Thanks for the fresh air! I haven't been around much lately because frankly I'm sick and tired of all the negativity. I loved having Sapp here and was really ****ed when they chose Booger over him. I knew the defense would miss his leadership and I miss his antics. Let's face it--the guy might have been a showboat, but he was the ultimate Buc! I sure hope he retires with the Buccaneers, although I suspect he may have some hard feelings and retire in Oakland, just like John Lynch will probably retire in Denver.

I am in complete agreement with you on Sapp. Also feel the same about Lynch, Hardy Nickerson, Alstott, Brooks, James Wilder, Barber and Jurevicious (sp). These guys are the Bucs, past and present. Lynch and Sapp need to be signed so they can retire as Bucs. Doubt that will happen while Gruden and Allen are here. That may change this season.

[Patrick McIrish]

Originally Posted by benito64

I am in complete agreement with you on Sapp. Also feel the same about Lynch, Hardy Nickerson, Alstott, Brooks, James Wilder, Barber and Jurevicious (sp). These guys are the Bucs, past and present. Lynch and Sapp need to be signed so they can retire as Bucs. Doubt that will happen while Gruden and Allen are here. That may change this season.

Yep, the days of Mr McKay are something all of us hold dear to our hearts.

[YardDog24]

Originally Posted by Patrick McIrish

Yep, the days of Mr McKay are something all of us hold dear to our hearts.

Its kind of like watching old Peanuts cartoons when the teacher is in the room isnt it

Wah...waahaaa waah wah waaaaah.

Sapp to me? Relentless.

[BucFanInKC]

That is all.

[BucFanInKC]

Originally Posted by Patrick McIrish

Yep, the days of Mr McKay are something all of us hold dear to our hearts.

Sincerely,

Bon Jovi

[BucFanInKC]

WAHOO

Livin In the Past, Yeah...

[Buczilla]

Originally Posted by BucFanInKC

“If I was 25 years old and didn't have a kid and a conscience, I would have given him an ***-kicking right there at the 30-yard line.”

[mpmalloy]

Originally Posted by BucFanInKC

That is all.

You just don't **** with Warren.

You don't spit into the wind and you
don't **** with Warren.

Originally Posted by BucnChuckieFan

I haven't been around much lately because frankly I'm sick and tired of all the negativity.

There are other Buc fan sites you can visit if you want to avoid the negativity. I've found that this is the only predominately negative site. I normally just disregard the posters who are always negative. Funny enough, a few of them posted in this thread.

Sapp was the face of this franchise after Hardy left. I guess Brooks is the face now. But Derrick is definitely not the presence that Sapp was.

[BuccoBruceski]

Originally Posted by PewterKrew

Warren Sapp. Sit there for a minute, say those two words aloud, "Warren Sapp." Now reflect.

What words come to mind? For me, loud. Proud. Obnoxious. Intense. Focused. Dedicated. Mean. Nice. Professional. Honorable. Reliable. Assertive. Accountable. Winner. Champion. Buccaneer!

What images come to mind? The first image that came to my mind, was his look of intense displeasure that he had just been drafted by the "Yucs." That's how he referred to the organization that he would come to love and cherish. Then images flooded my mind of his first TD against Chicago. His intense and comical interviews. His on field competitive feud with Brett Favre that escalated in the 1997 Divisional Playoff game, and provided us with years of intense Buccs/Packer games. His airplane celebration after a sack. His congratulatory praises to other players when they made the play. His intense and fiery inquisitions when someone didn't make the play. His gleeful skip through opponents calisthenics. His first offensive TD as a Tight End. Followed by his Beyonce TD celebration. Finally he and Derrick Brooks, arms around each other, on the sideline during the Super Bowl.

What thoughts come to mind? I thought, you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. I wish he was still in Tampa. Can he ever be replaced? How long will it be until he's replaced if he ever is? Will he retire a Buccaneer?

Warren Sapp revolutionized the position of Defensive Tackle. Every year when the flowers start to bloom, and the trees begin to bud, it's draft time and we are guaranteed to hear comparisons of this year's college DT's to Warren Sapp. "This kid is the next Sapp. That kid reminds me of Sapp. He has Sapp's explosive first step."

By virtue of it's position, and it's responsibilities in the overall defensive scheme, the position of DT isn't meant to sack the QB. Any sacks by a DT are a bonus. The DT's job is to create havoc inside. Against the run, The DT's job is to occupy as many Offensive Linemen as possible to keep the Linebackers free to make tackles. DT's job on passing plays is to collapse the pocket from the inside, not allowing the QB to step into his throws or escaping the pocket inside, and forcing them outside into the waiting arms of the Defensive Ends. This is hard and fast evidenced by DE's gracing the top of the all time sack leaders list, both for seasonal and career standings. One to three sacks is respectable. Four to six sacks is great. Seven to eight sacks per season by a DT is Hall of Fame worthy. Sapp has averaged 7.87(almost 8) sacks per season during his twelve year career. He's had such exceptional seasons compiling 10.5, 12.5, 16.5, and 10 in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2006 respectively. Those totals are Hall of Fame worthy with out question.

The problem we as Bucs fans face after witnessing first hand what Warren accomplished, is our expectations. We want...no we expect every DT who walks through 1 Buc place to perform at the same level. Well folks, that's just not going to happen any time soon if ever again. Anthony McFarland averaged 2.8 sacks per season, which is respectable. The problem was, he was a first round draft choice, and we expected him to replace Sapp someday. To the fault of Booger, he accepted the type of money Warren made, but didn't produce the same results. Sure we can't expect him to say, "no Rich, I don't deserve that money, I'll take half." But you reap what you sow. His Grim Reaper was a fan base that turned on him and labeled him a bust.

In 2005 Chris Hovan was our best defensive lineman. He was an animal, and was the key factor to a resurgence to run stuffing by the Bucs defense. Sure Chris got credit by most fans, but there were still a portion of fans and media who pointed out the fact that he had zero sacks on the season. What? The guy puts in a team MVP performance, and still has detractors? Sorry Chris, you followed too closely behind a Buccaneer legend. You played great, and this Bucs fan loves you for it. The team rewarded you for it with a nice contract, but you and any other DT who walks through the Buccaneer locker room will be compared to Warren for the foreseeable future.

So right now, up front I will apologize to you Kevin Carter, Jovan Haye, Greg Peterson, Julian Jenkins, Darrell Campbell and Ryan Sims. If you're Boo'd, it's not your fault. Warren Sapp raised the bar, and it's almost unattainable.

The Bucs haven't been the same since we lost the fat man.

There will never be another DT like him.

Unfortunately, there are few here that will share your opinions. I have been preaching the same stuff since his departure and got static from most, although there are some that are now realizing what we lost when we let Sapp go and kept Booger.

Nice read.

[BuccoBruceski]

Originally Posted by TheChronic

great stuff........but you forgot "funny".......... sapp was the alltime soundbite king.

Between Warren and Rice, you never knew what they might come up with.

On top of funny, you should have added smart. If you ever went to one of his radio shows and listened to him start talking about football and the workings of the game, you understood just how much Warren knows about this game. He will end up somewhere after football still in the game, either as a coach or in a box. I am hoping as a coach on the field. I think he would make a fantastic HC somewhere.

[BuccoBruceski]

Originally Posted by Patrick McIrish

Yep, the days of Mr McKay are something all of us hold dear to our hearts.

This was a thread about Warren Sapp and here comes Pat with his McKay and anti Gruden and his good ole days retoric.

One word for ya Patty.

Yawn.

[NewBetterBucs05]

Originally Posted by Grad4Six

There are other Buc fan sites you can visit if you want to avoid the negativity. I've found that this is the only predominately negative site. I normally just disregard the posters who are always negative. Funny enough, a few of them posted in this thread.

Yea, there are 2 other Buc fans message boards that don't have as much negativity. But, now I just go on General NFL boards where I avoid the homerism and negativity of fans.

Now for the thread, I always liked Warren. He was tough, always got in the other teams face, and was a great player.

[BuccoBruceski]

Originally Posted by Grad4Six

There are other Buc fan sites you can visit if you want to avoid the negativity. I've found that this is the only predominately negative site. I normally just disregard the posters who are always negative. Funny enough, a few of them posted in this thread.

Sapp was the face of this franchise after Hardy left. I guess Brooks is the face now. But Derrick is definitely not the presence that Sapp was.

Hey!!! I got an idea. Why don't you people that come here and advertise for the "other sites" go back. Like there is something wrong with this site?

Bull****! I could go the other site and could bet my life that I could copy 100 threads that could be considered negative in less that an hour if I had the inclination.


Here, I will help you and all the other site *******s that come here and try to pry away posters with some bull**** rhetoric like this site is evil because there is negativity in some of the posts.

The is the "OFFICIAL" BBS of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There is no other BBS that can say that. Only this BBS.

There are posters here that argue.

There are posters that have a game they play that try to get posters suspended for being the idiots that they are most of the time.

There are posters that have an agenda like PMI that allot of others like myself do not agree with.

The one thing that binds us are we are fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and we frequent the official BBS of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

All other Buc sites are compared to this one like all other DT's are compared to Warren Sapp.

Do not be fooled. Do not be duped. There isn't another Buccaneers site that is better or less negative than this one.

There is just this one.......... and a few others that wish they were this one.

Sorry for the expletives. The constant barrage of advertisement from the "other site" members is really getting me ****ed off.

[BuccoBruceski]

Originally Posted by NewBetterBucs05

Yea, there are 2 other Buc fans message boards that don't have as much negativity. But, now I just go on General NFL boards where I avoid the homerism and negativity of fans.

Now for the thread, I always liked Warren. He was tough, always got in the other teams face, and was a great player.

General NFL Boards?

I am a member of the Eagles board.

I usually go there to make sure they get their monthly dose of crow. The same type of crow we got from them for 2+years.

Other than that, as a message board, it is complete crap.

So are the "general" message boards in my opinion.

There are strict rules on this BBS and there are posters that are popular here for various reasons, either because they have been posting here a long time or because of their unpopular ideas but they generally post within the rules of this site.

When they don't they are punished and suspended just like the masses.

Ask PMI or NY Bucs fan. Both long time posters and both served suspensions in the last 6 months for mistakes they made.

Go back to last season and I got a month for being stupid.

This board is no more or less negative than any other and the last thing you or anyone can say is that the enforcement of the rules here are unfair.

You just seem to be advertising for posters here to do a search for the 2 "other" boards.

What?

They can't get enough posters to have meaningful debates without sending you guys over here to constantly advertise for them?

Just save it.

[PewterKrew]

Not trying to gain anything except general Bucs talk from the folks here. I prefer to be a team guy and if the owners feel Gruden should still be the coach then that is who I will support as well.

As far as telling people to go here or there it is not me that is why I have not been linking just posting whole stories now.

Would rather talk educated Buc Ball rather then spew hate towards at team we all cheer for.

people should respect the thoughts of others, as everyone should have a fair chance or atleast bring educated thought or reason to a post.

Try bringing facts or well thought out topics to let people make there own minds up rather then bulling like some folks do. You just might change they way someone else sees things

[nensey_zy]

I do agree that we were spoiled by Sapp. He was kind of the "bad boy" of the franchise, the loudmouth who got it done week after week after week. I read once that he could tell you anything about any player in the NFL. You could ask him about some 3rd string back up offensive guard on the Oakland Raiders and he'd be able to give you an account of that player's strengths and weaknesses. That is the kind of person Sapp was.