Out With the Old, in With the New: Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin Could Cut Warren Sapp
 

Posted Jul 26th 2007 5:46AM by Michael David Smith

Considering that he's the most inexperienced head coach in the NFL, it's a little surprising that Oakland's Lane Kiffin doesn't seem the least bit hesitant to make sweeping changes. The latest example comes from Nancy Gay of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Numerous NFL sources have suggested Kiffin, 32, wants to rid the team of players who are close to his age or older.

Kiffin, sources say, doesn't want players with influence who might threaten his authority.

So team leaders such as fullback Zack Crockett, 34, and -- yes, believe it -- defensive tackle Warren Sapp, 34, are in big trouble. Even if Sapp, who admirably dropped 49 pounds in six months, comes to camp looking like a Pro Bowler, he's probably wasting his time.

If Sapp is truly wasting his time and Kiffin has already decided to cut him, the team ought to just cut him loose now. He's not the player he used to be, but he'd have other options.

"If that were the case B&G Nation, would anybody out there like to see him in a Saints uniform? Better yet. Do you think the Saints would have any interest?

If it were to happen, I personally wouldn't mind seeing him sign a one or two year contract with us, he still has a lil gas in the tank."

.... if wouldn't care to have Sapp in NO, but Kiffin is showing a lack of spine from the get-go.

What if the Saints got Sapp and Tank, put Young on IR, and rotated them with Thomas and Clancy. That would be the best DTs in the league. And with Smith and Grant it would be the best DL in the league. Just kidding I know it won't happen.

I had some interest when Sapp went to Oak, but no longer. I'd like to add a young DT by some means. We can trade up or bid on some FA next season.

Re: Out With the Old, in With the New: Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin Could Cut Warren Sap
 

No thanks on Sapp.

Re: Out With the Old, in With the New: Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin Could Cut Warren Sap
 

Huh? That's a terrible idea, and I'm actually glad it won't happen. I actually wouldn't mind seeing us get Sapp for a one-year deal, but I would be a tad worried about his character. Coupling that with the suspect character of Tank Johnson (who I'm very glad we wanted no part of), would create more problems than it would solve. And IMO, at this point in his career, Brian Young is better than Warren Sapp. He might have been a perennial Pro Bowler in years past, but I can't remember the last time anybody said anything about him. He's clearly on the downside of his career, while BY is a consistent, if not quite productive, defensive tackle. So why would we put BY on the IR? He's injured right now, but he'll be 100% by the start of the season.

Re: Out With the Old, in With the New: Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin Could Cut Warren Sap
 

Everybody keep talking about Sapp's personality and how it would effect the team. First of all, this is a veteran team not a bunch of easily persuaded youngsters that follow our guys are leaders. Secondly, this is Coach Sean Payton's team, no player is going to come in here and change that, Payton is not Kiffin, if you don't do it his way your gone plain and simple. And thirdly, when was the last time Sapp was in trouble with the law? Last year was one of the worst years of his career, and he didn't throw antbody under the bus or talk about his coach at lest I didn't hear about anything. I think Sapp still have the skills that made him a Probowler and he lost a lot of weight and refocused himself this year, I think he would greatly improve our defense.

Re: Out With the Old, in With the New: Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin Could Cut Warren Sap
 

I wasn't talking about criminal things when I was addressing his character issues. I was referring to his tendencies to need attention on himself and be outspoken when he doesn't like how things are being done, which just seems a little unnecessary considering the very good chemistry the team has going. And no, I don't remember him saying anything about Art Shell last season, but that doesn't mean he didn't. Besides, those guys on offense were talking so much that maybe Sapp felt like he didn't need to.

Re: Out With the Old, in With the New: Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin Could Cut Warren Sap
 

Ahhhhh So you mean you'd hate to have another Horn, but on D? You say you remember him saying anything about Shell, "But that doesn't mean he didnt." Doesn't mean he did, either. Right? Maybe Sapp felt he should be a leader, and keep his negative comments to himself?

Re: Out With the Old, in With the New: Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin Could Cut Warren Sap
 

Yeah, actually I would prefer not to have another Joe Horn type player. Give me a Brian Urlacher type any day (as in a guy who keeps his mouth shut and cares more for the welfare of the team).