Warren Sapp on nerves about HOF, how Strahan comments were misconstrued
NFL Network analyst and soon-to-be Hall of Famer Warren Sapp joined the show to talk about the upcoming induction weekend and the big stories around the NFL.
Dan asked Sapp which is more nerve-wracking, the Super Bowl or going into the Hall of Fame. “Hall of Fame,” Sapp said. “When you’re standing up in front of the world it’s a lot different then going out and playing a game you’ve played your whole life.”
Sapp talked about his influences. He said Rod Marinelli challenged him every day, and Tony Dungy taught him to think big and chase the all-time greats.
Sapp clarified his comments on Simeon Rice and Michael Strahan. He said he was talking to a New York reporter and said that Rice was a better pass-rusher. But that wasn’t all he said. “Michael Strahan is a much better all-around player,” Strahan said. “I said that he was a better pass-rusher than Michael Strahan.”
Sapp said he never wanted to hurt the quarterback because he didn’t want to see the backup. He said that coaches won’t throw with the backup and he couldn’t go after anyone.
Sapp also weighed in on his title with the Bucs and said that people forget how great that defense was and maybe Jon Gruden got too much credit. Sapp said that defense can win despite QBs and talked about playing with Trent Dilfer in Tampa Bay. “He was a great guy,” Sapp said. “But as a quarterback, he left something to be desired.”
Dan also asked how Twitter would have affected him back in his Miami days. “If Twitter was around,” Sapp said, “I wouldn’t have been married for two weeks.”