Hashmarks: Is Sapp a HoFer?

[YosemiteSam]

LINK

Seats still available at Sapp retirement party

March 5, 2008 1:49 PM


As the football world celebrates the life and times of Packers quarterback Brett Favre, one of the game's most outspoken and talented defensive tackles made his retirement official.

Warren Sapp, a seven-time Pro Bowler and former defensive player of the year, announced his retirement immediately following the season. He released the news in a brief but eloquent manner on his QB Killa Web site.

When my editor called for the fourth time this morning, he wondered aloud whether Sapp will eventually be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. My initial response was, "Are you kidding?"

But upon further review, he's someone you have to consider. I think the knock on Sapp is that his fame and reputation outlasted his production as a player. He was voted the league's top defensive player in 1999 and he helped lead the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title in 2002. He finishes his career with 96 1/2 sacks.

In 2000, Sapp finished with 16 1/2 sacks, which represtented the third-highest total for a defensive tackle since the league started recording the statistic. He finished with double-digit sack totals four times during his 13-year career. His career appeared to be fading with the Raiders, but he bounced back to have 10 sacks in 2006.

In researching his career this morning, I stumbled across something he told SI.com's Don Banks following the 2000 season. Asked what his goals were for the 2001 season, Sapp responded, "Mark Gastineau. I don't think a convicted felon should be the all-time [season] sack leader. I don't think a guy sitting at Riker's Island should have his name on top of the NFL record book, and I'm going to take it down."

Of course, 22 sacks was a pretty lofty goal, but Sapp never shied away from hyperbole. In fact, perhaps he'll finally be able to eat a meal in peace.

Is Sapp a Hall of Famer? My gut says no, but the numbers suggest otherwise. Would love to get your take on this topic.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

LINK

Seats still available at Sapp retirement party

March 5, 2008 1:49 PM


As the football world celebrates the life and times of Packers quarterback Brett Favre, one of the game's most outspoken and talented defensive tackles made his retirement official.

Warren Sapp, a seven-time Pro Bowler and former defensive player of the year, announced his retirement immediately following the season. He released the news in a brief but eloquent manner on his QB Killa Web site.

When my editor called for the fourth time this morning, he wondered aloud whether Sapp will eventually be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. My initial response was, "Are you kidding?"

But upon further review, he's someone you have to consider. I think the knock on Sapp is that his fame and reputation outlasted his production as a player. He was voted the league's top defensive player in 1999 and he helped lead the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title in 2002. He finishes his career with 96 1/2 sacks.

In 2000, Sapp finished with 16 1/2 sacks, which represtented the third-highest total for a defensive tackle since the league started recording the statistic. He finished with double-digit sack totals four times during his 13-year career. His career appeared to be fading with the Raiders, but he bounced back to have 10 sacks in 2006.

In researching his career this morning, I stumbled across something he told SI.com's Don Banks following the 2000 season. Asked what his goals were for the 2001 season, Sapp responded, "Mark Gastineau. I don't think a convicted felon should be the all-time [season] sack leader. I don't think a guy sitting at Riker's Island should have his name on top of the NFL record book, and I'm going to take it down."

Of course, 22 sacks was a pretty lofty goal, but Sapp never shied away from hyperbole. In fact, perhaps he'll finally be able to eat a meal in peace.

Is Sapp a Hall of Famer? My gut says no, but the numbers suggest otherwise. Would love to get your take on this topic.

I don't really think there's any question. I believe he is a Hall of Fame player. He's a DT who registered 96 sacks in his career. Only John Randle and Clyde Simmons, as DTs, and both of them switched positions for DT to DE. Warren Sapp is really a true DT. I think he's a hall of fame player.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Aside from a kicker or a specialist, if you're the most dominant player at your position for an era you should get in. Sapp was the most dominant DT in his era. I'm not sure it's really even close. Maybe Cortez Kennedy, but I think Cortez was a clear step below.

If a player was as dominant at RB as Sapp was at defensive tackle, Mosely wouldn't even be asking the question. If you leave it up to the average sportswriter, the only people who would get nominated into the HOf are running backs, quarterbacks and receivers

 

[Muhast]

yes definitely.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

yeah I think he has to be in. He had nearly 100 career sacks which is pretty impressive. He commanded double, and even triple teams in his younger days. He would get my vote.