Despite denials by just about everyone involved, there is some smoke to those rumors that the Bucs are shopping star defensive tackle Warren Sapp, in an effort to secure some of the draft choices they sacrificed as part of the compensation for hiring Jon Gruden as coach. If a deal happens, it will definitely be before the draft, and among the likely suitors is the Eagles. Sapp simply has worn thin with some teammates and Tampa Bay officials. And the Bucs clearly don't want to sit around until the third round - remember, both their first- and second-round choices went to the Raiders in the Gruden deal - before being able to make a choice.
I for one hope this deal works out. The Bucs desperately need some good receivers and maybe an o-lineman or tight end, and I have grown tired of Sapp. He's a good player, but last year he was way to ineffective. The Bucs have one of the deepest defensive rosters in the league, including several good d-lineman, and Sapp just isn't needed as a cornerstone to this franchise.
i'm not a bucs fan nor do i live in tampa, so i guess my opinion can be considered an outside opinion. but, i do not think trading sapp would be worth a draft pick or two. he is a pro bowl level, impact player, and while the bucs may have some players who can take over for him, it just doesn't seem like a good idea to me. i don't see drafting an offensive linemen or tight end being worth giving up sapp. they defintely need some wr help, but there are quite a few pretty good free agent wrs available who could complement keyshawn. IMO the bucs have more overall talent on their roster than any other team in the nfc (except maybe the rams). i like the team they have and would like to see gruden given a chance to see what he can do before starting to dismantle for draft picks, which were given up for him in the first place.
60 watts? what do you think this is, a tanning salon?
I dont like this idea at all. Sapp is a pro bowl player in his prime. Yes he had an off year, but I think letting him go, especially to a NFC rival like Philly would be a huge mistake. Yes he runs his mouth sometimes, but he stll contributes and hes not costing them an arm and a leg. Im not an draft guru, but good talent can be found in the lower rounds, theres no need to trade a potential 20 sacks for just potential. But I could be wrong, maybe Sapp has rubbed some people the wrong way in Tampa.
I dont know.... I'm torn on this. Is he disrupting the locker room and just playing poorly last season for a particular reason? Kevin Carter did that for the Rams because of some contract issues and the Rams didn't stand for it.
We all know how good a player Sapp is. If he's in his prime and not down on his team... i would say keep him. If he is disruptive then make the move.
I'm not saying that i've heard he's disruptive.... but that's the only reason where i would get rid of him.
I am the JOBBER TO THE STARS. You better remember that.
CRZ NOTABLE QUOTABLE OF THE MONTH: KANE: Triple H...tonight, I will burn the flesh from your body! MICHAEL COLE: OH MY GOD. KANE THREATENING TRIPLE H, SAYING HE'S GONNA BURN THE FLESH FROM HIS BODY! CRZ: Umm, I heard it the FIRST time! -- WWF Smackdown, 9/9/99
I'll agree, it would not be a good idea to ship Sapp to another NFC team - especially one that they could meet in the playoffs.
That said -
While the Bucs have a solid defense, they will never be able to step up until they create a more solid *offense*. There are linemen on the Bucs who may not be of the same quality as Sapp, but who are close enough to fill the bill. Now, if they could obtain a solid tight end, as well as a decent complement for Keyshawn, they could be able to take the next step.
Steph
P.S. WooHoo! I'm A Light Heavyweight! Following in the tradition of Jushin Thunder Liger! And Dean Malenko! And Gillberg. And Jeff Hardy. and...um...
This used to be a bigger honor, didn't it?
I'm going twenty-four hours a day...I can't seem to stop - "Turn Up The Radio", Autograph
Most importantly, what are the salary cap ramifications of the deal? If Sapp was to be traded, any future signing bonus deferrals hit the Bucs cap immeadiately. For the Eagles, they would only have to worry about his base salary.
However, I doubt the Eagles will make the deal. The Eagles have some holes to fill like an outside or inside linebacker, strong safety, running back, and wide receiver. Defensive line is somewhat important and I expect them to draft a big defensive tackle in the 4th or 5th round.
You're in a desert, walking along in the sand when all of a sudden you look down and see a tortoise. It's crawling towards you. You reach down and flip the tortoise over on its back. The tortoise lays on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun, beating its legs trying to turn itself over. But it can't. Not without your help. But you're not helping.
Echoing a lot of what TheBucsFan said, it can maybe be summarized by saying that a good or even great college QB hasn't necessarily been trained in becoming a good pro QB. The offense run in many college programs is unlike anything that the pros run.
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