Warren Sapp To Sign With...

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

MIAMI (AP) - Warren Sapp is ``very close'' to signing a four-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, his agent Drew Rosenhaus said Friday night, potentially ending his nine-year run as one of the cornerstones of the Tampa Bay defence.

 

The defensive tackle had been in negotiations with at least seven other NFL teams, Rosenhaus said, since not being immediately re-signed by the Buccaneers. The deal could be done by Saturday, he said.

 

``They've definitely become the front runner,'' Rosenhaus told The Associated Press. ``It could be just a matter of hours.''

 

Sapp is not in Cincinnati overseeing the potential deal, but may travel to meet the team soon, Rosenhaus said.

 

The Bucs have been reluctant to sign a long-term deal with the 31-year-old Sapp, who's production has fallen off in recent seasons. Sapp had just five sacks last season and has not had more than 7.5 sacks since he had a career-high 16.5 in 2000.

 

The deal would end Sapp's stay in Tampa Bay where he helped lead the Bucs from perennial laughingstock to Super Bowl champions in 2003.

 

Sapp has 77 career sacks and has been selected to seven Pro Bowls.

 

Sapp, the 1999 NFL defensive player of the year, had grown increasingly impatient with the slow pace of the Bucs. Tampa Bay has signed six players in recent weeks and restructured the contracts of a number of others.

 

He would likely replace Tony Williams as the Bengals starter.

 

Sapp was a first-round draft pick from the University of Miami in 1995.

 

Rosenhaus had previously said several teams have expressed uncertainty about whether Sapp is open to leaving.

 

 

 

> Sapp.

[the max 0]

http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/index.php?showtopic=49647

[MrRant 0]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA~!

 

 

I hate that fuck anyways.

 

 

 

 

And the Bengals.

[alfdogg 0]

http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/index.php?showtopic=49647

Bah. I'd say a news item like this warrants its own thread.

 

Too bad we had to franchise Manning, the Sapp-Dungy relationship could have helped bring him here had we had more money.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Im surprised he doesn't sign with the Ravens. Hed be the Ravens 2nd best reciever behind Todd Heap, no lie.

[Guest Choken One]

Whoo~!

 

We get rid of ONE headache and bring in another potential one...

 

Lewis and Sapp should be an interesting duo

[Guest El Satanico]

People always make a big deal out of Sapp being a "headache". I don't see the big deal, he just likes to talk.

 

I always hated this attitude that all athletes should silently do their work and disappear when they're done.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Overrated, but hes still solid. I'm glad we signed him, but yeah, I hate his off the field presence.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

You know, I have always defended Sapp until he started with the "slavemaster" comments. Now I say fuck him.

 

He deserves Cincy, and Cincy deserves him...

[Guest Vitamin X]

I think this is a great deal for the Bengals. Since losing Takeo Spikes, I don't think that defense has a veteran leader, and an identifying one at that. Even if Sapp's production has fallen off, you have to realize that Cincinnati is a team on the rise, and having a guy like Sapp would help sell tickets/increase fan curiosity, plus give the defense an unofficial spokesperson. Which was great when Tampa Bay needed people, but then they also had leaders in every part of their defense...Sapp on the d-line, Brooks in the linebacking corps, and Lynch in the secondary.

 

To think two out of those three will be gone from the Bucs is just...weird. I have a difficult time picturing the Bucs without Sapp and Lynch.

[Guest jpclemmons]

but the Bungles are improving from last year.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/index.php?showtopic=49647

Bah. I'd say a news item like this warrants its own thread.

 

Too bad we had to franchise Manning, the Sapp-Dungy relationship could have helped bring him here had we had more money.

Agreed. OaO threads that cover MONTHS of events are really freakin' stupid.

[jimmy no nose 0]

While Sapp's production has gone down, he still draws the attention of the offensive line and has been responsible for opening up space for the rest of the D-line. He's still got a few years left. Seems like a good fit for the team too.

[the pinjockey 0]

Raiders sign Warren Sapp

 

7 yrs/ $36 mil with a $7 mil signing bonus?!?

 

The market has been dead for him, the reported offer he was getting was 4yr/16 mil, and he has been declining as a player the last few years. Throw in the fact that the Raiders, who were ancient going into the offseason, have now added Ted Washington and Warren Sapp. Wow, just wow

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Oh, this will be a hoot to watch...

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

As the only Raiders fan 'round these parts, I'd like to formally wlecome Sapp into the fold.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Well Sapp does fit in as a Raider...

 

I don't even think I need to explain why

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

Should've signed with the Giants.

 

Bastard...

[snuffbox 0]

The Raiders continue to bring the ~OLD!

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Fuck Sapp. Overrated garbage.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Funny how on the Bengals he would be a veteran leader, a guy to give the defense an image. Sell some tickets and whatnot...

 

and now that he's with the Raiders, his trash-talking, cheating persona could fit right in too. Fuck that turd.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

I guess people aren't buying into Marvin Lewis' Bengals.

 

They pursued Sapp and Troy Vincent hard...and both ended up going to teams with worse records last year.

 

Sapp may have gone for the bigger signing bonus...but the Bills and Bengals had pretty much the same offer out there for Vincent

[snuffbox 0]

I guess people aren't buying into Marvin Lewis' Bengals.

 

They pursued Sapp and Troy Vincent hard...and both ended up going to teams with worse records last year.

 

Sapp may have gone for the bigger signing bonus...but the Bills and Bengals had pretty much the same offer out there for Vincent

and Cincy will probably have the better season of the three...

[Ced 0]

New veteran defensive leader of a team that only needs a few more pieces to become playoff contenders to another member of the Retirement Center in a matter of hours. Way to follow the money, Warren.

 

What I find most humorous is that Sapp is going to the team that his former team bitchslapped to give him the Super Bowl ring on his finger.

[Prime Time Andrew Doyle 0]

Strange them bringing in Sapp after getting Washington, espcially if they are going to switch to a 3-4

[Swift Terror 0]

thank god--goodbye Sapp

 

now let's get rid of that ungrateful fuck Dillon

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

You know what I don't get about Dillon -- he was on all those shitty Bengal teams and now that they're getting decent he started whining...

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

my favorite Dillion quote has to be a few years ago when he said he'd rather flip burgers then play for the Bengals.

 

Apparently Sapp wants to end his career the way he started it, being grossly overpaid on the worst team in the league.

[2GOLD 0]

All they need now is the Raiders announcer to pull a Harry Doyle

 

"You know, I used to hate Warren when he was in Tampa. It's amazing how a uniform can change your opinion of a guy....

 

He's still a dick"

 

 

I never really saw how Warren was any different than Keyshawn other than Warren would have cried racism had he been smacked into the Keyshawn IR list spot. Frankly, I always felt he was the most overrated D-lineman in the NFL for the last five years.

[Guest TheGregWitul]

I wouldn't say that Sapp is the same as Keyshawn, as they both handled themselves and certain situations differently. Being a huge Tampa fan (Reggie Cobb was my favorite player growing up) I liked both players (Even liked Key coming out of college) even though they ran their mouths. Sapp was the master of trash talk, until it got a little out of hand last year, and the team had a losing season. Keyshawn was an arrogant prick that would bad mouth talented players (Everyone from Marvin Harrison to Andre Reed to Dan Marino) and bitch off the field and overhype himself. Regardless, both players were warriors on the field. Sure, Keyshawn wasn't even the best receiver from his draft year, but he was a great blocker and a great possession receiver. He never gave up on the football field, and I would enjoy watching him play, but off the field he was obnoxious. Sapp was different. Sapp was good at getting into an opponents head. Yeah, he's cocky, but he can back it up for the most part. Even though he has been on a decline, he still is one of the best at his position, and he always gave one-hundred percent on the football field. I didn't mind his off the field banter, as he was more humorous than Johnson, who seemed to be a spoiled/pissed off baby. With that being said, Oakland paid way too much, and it's not a backended deal to boot, so Sapp is really getting overpaid (Remember, the guy once had 16.5 sacks at his position, which is rare, so his old contract was quite fair and balanced. This Oakland deal is ridiculous).

 

Still, it felt different for a few moments when I heard that Sapp signed with Oakland. However, it's better for the team in the longrun as their more talented defender (Booger McFarland) is signed for several years, and Derrick Brooks is still playing well. Rice, Barber, and a slew of other players return as well, and if the revamped offense works out, this team will be dangerous.

 

I do think that Tampa could of handled the Lynch situation a little better, but it's best for both teams, as he was projected to be a backup this season to open the door to talented Jermaine Phillips. I think Lynch would be a good fit with Dungy and the Colts, but I could see him signing with the Patriots as well.

 

As for Keyshawn: Good riddance, and hopefully Galloway stays healthy this season, because the team could really use his speed. It should really be an interesting football season, with all the roster shake ups, and a helluva draft on tap. I can't wait...

 

 

j.