Sapp to Bengals for a 16M, 4 yr deal, could go through as soon as Thursday.... we'll see By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com Arguably the best and also best-known player remaining in the unrestricted free agent pool, Tampa Bay Bucs defensive tackle Warren Sapp likely won't be unemployed much longer, ESPN.com has learned. Sapp League sources told ESPN.com that Sapp on Friday night moved very close to agreement with the Cincinnati Bengals on a four-year contract. Some issues remain to be resolved but, barring a setback in the negotiations, the sources said, a deal could be struck on Friday or Saturday. "If everything goes right," said one source with knowledge of the contract discussions, "something could happen in a matter of hours. There are still some other teams involved but it's moving pretty quickly now with (the Bengals)." On his Web site, Sapp had listed six franchises with which he would consider continuing his career. It has been clear for the past week that Cincinnati, which reportedly has made a four-year, $16 million offer, has been more aggressive than other suitors. Early in free agency, coach Marvin Lewis said that landing a veteran defensive tackle was his top offseason priority. The Bengals lost out on other free agents, most notably former Oakland tackle Rod Coleman, who signed with Atlanta. Landing a player of Sapp's profile, even if his game has declined some, would be huge for the Bengals on and off the field. Sapp has not visited with the Cincinnati officials or coaches but has said he won't need a meeting for something to be completed. Just as the Bengals' ardor for Sapp has been obvious, so has the lack of interest on the part of Tampa Bay officials in retaining the nine-year veteran. There have been no substantive discussions between Bucs officials and representatives for Sapp, and it now appears both sides are prepared to move on. A seven-time Pro Bowl player, Sapp is coming off a season in which he totaled 58 tackles and five sacks. The sacks were the fewest since his rookie season in 1995
or not... Sapp reverses field, to sign with Raiders March 20, 2004 By Jay Glazer SportsLine.com Senior Writer The biggest name remaining in free agency has been taken off the market thanks to a last-minute push by a fitting team. SportsLine.com has learned that Warren Sapp has agreed to a seven-year $36.6 million deal with the Oakland Raiders. "I'm a Raider," said Sapp when contacted on his cell phone. Sapp, however, would not elaborate on the terms of the deal or comment when the deal would be announced. The Bengals had offered $16 million over four years with a signing bonus that exceeded $4 million. Sapp also had marginal interest from a few other teams. Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan made a strong push to their front office to sign Sapp, but the perennial Pro Bowler said he wanted to have a new home by Monday morning. Sapp awoke on Saturday morning to an offer from a team he has long stated he believed he belonged with -- the Silver and Black. He joins Ted Washington, another veteran Pro Bowl defensive tackle, in the Raiders new defensive line under new head coach Norv Turner.
I must say Al Davis has been active as I have ever seen him during the FA period Sapp and Washington is a massive D-Line, Depending on who we draft, the Raiders could be back in contention very soon.
Their run defense just got a lot better this ofseason which was by far the worst part of their D. The Raiders may be able to compete next year. With KC doing nothing to improve their defense besides hiring a new coordinator and the Broncos trading their best player away for a CB they may have a shot.
Hiring a new defensive coordinator was the biggest improvement the Chiefs could've done. I won't say they would've beaten the Colts if Greg Robinson weren't there, but they wouldn't have been embarassed like that. Having Mike Maslowski back will also be nice. The defense certainly won't be great with the same players from last season, but they won't be near as bad as last year.
Eh. The Raiders players will turn on Norv Turner soon enough and they'll be back to where they were this past season.
You mean a defensive coordinator that doesnt drop DE's 20 yards down the feild in pass coverage. Their secondary and LB's are fine but the really needed a run stopping DT.