DBAHO Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 He served as the cornerstone for the reconstruction of one miserable NFL franchise and now, nearly a decade later, Warren Sapp will try to help re-establish the halcyon days of a once-proud team that suddenly fell into disrepair last season. Sapp, a seven-time Pro Bowl performer during his nine-year tenure with Tampa Bay became an unrestricted free agency this spring. In a deal that would have been considered unthinkable less than 24 hours before it was consummated, he reached contract agreement with the Oakland Raiders on Saturday evening. The seven-year contract, completed after very long Friday night and Saturday bargaining sessions by phone, will pay Sapp $36.6 million. About $7 million of that will come in the form of guaranteed bonuses. League sources said that the contract is not severely backloaded and will pay Sapp more than $14 million in its first three years and in excess of $19 million the first four years. For the front part of the contract, such a distribution is superior to some of the deals signed by defensive tackles earlier in free agency. Oakland entered into the bidding for Sapp late Friday, phoning agent Drew Rosenhaus only after ESPN.com reported that the Cincinnati Bengals were close to a deal with the defensive tackle on a four-year contract that would have paid him more than $16 million. Operating with their trademark stealth, Raiders executives quickly assessed the financial viability of adding Sapp and determined it was reasonable to make an 11th-hour pitch for him. Just as important for the Raiders coaches was the feeling that Sapp would be a good fit in their defense. Sapp will be paired with another free agent acquisition, nose tackle Ted Washington, and so will be able to continue playing the "three technique" or "under" position so familiar to him. Since the mammoth Washington figures to draw a lot of double-team blocking, Sapp, who will be aligned in the center-guard gap, ought to have plenty of room to maneuver. Getting Sapp, even in the twilight of an often brilliant career, is a move characteristic of the Raiders, even coming off a disastrous 2003 season that left many critics insisting that it is time for the franchise to begin rebuilding with younger players. Part of the sales pitch to Sapp and Rosenhaus, though, was the manner in which Davis has always taken care of veteran players, on and off the field. And Sapp was intrigued by likely being able to finish his career with one of the NFL's most recognizable franchises. There is also a bit of gamesmanship, not surprisingly, in the fact the Raiders staged an all-out yet surreptitious whirlwind courtship. Remember, Sapp played his entire career with Tampa Bay, the team to which coach Jon Gruden defected after leading the Raiders to a berth in Super Bowl XXXVII. Delayed revenge was not the prime reason the Raiders jumped into the Sapp Derby, but it would be naïve to believe it didn't play at least a minor part in going after him so late in the process. There is little doubt that Bengals officials, who were confident when they went to bed on Friday night that they would close a deal by Saturday afternoon, will be stung by the unexpected reversal. Cincinnati executives probably will feel used by Sapp and Rosenhaus, who spent long hours Friday night negotiating with the Bengals. League sources said both sides bargained in good faith and with the knowledge that there could be another team or two still chasing Sapp and attempting to steal him from the clutches of Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis. It became somewhat apparent, after the Bengals made a final offer and then did not hear from Rosenhaus for a few hours, that their worst fears might be realized. Sources close to Sapp maintained, though, he was prepared to join the Bengals until the Raiders entered the picture and came out of the chute with a first offer that captured his attention. Arguably the best and also best-known player remaining in the unrestricted free agent pool, Sapp tired about a week ago of waiting for the Bucs to send some sort of signal they wanted him back in 2004, and instead went on the offensive. He instructed Rosenhaus to follow up on inquires with other clubs and, at the same time, he admitted publicly his time with the Bucs might have come to a close. Landing a player of Sapp's profile, even if his game has declined a bit the past couple seasons, would have been a huge acquisition for the Bengals. Not only would he have helped anchor the interior of a line that slumped badly against the run in the second half of the 2003 season, but Sapp, 31, also would have been a presence in the locker room, and provide an attitude and swagger the Bengals have rarely displayed. When he arrived in Tampa as a first-round draft choice in 1995, the Bucs were in the midst of a string of 12 consecutive seasons with double-digit defeats. But by Sapp's third season with the franchise, Tampa Bay was in the playoffs, and that began a run of five straight postseason appearances. Obviously, he hopes to return the Raiders to prominence before his career ends. On his Web site, Sapp had listed six franchises with which he would consider continuing his career. He never cited Oakland as a potential new home. But it had been clear for the past week that Cincinnati was more aggressive than other suitors. In end, though, the Bengals could not finish off a deal for which their longsuffering fans were clamoring. It is believed that there were also relatively serious discussions with the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, but neither team was in the same financial bracket as the Raiders' offer. As a precursor to his departure, Sapp on Saturday posted on his Web site a picture of a tombstone. Inscribed on the tombstone was a Buccaneers logo and the words: "1995-2003. Thanks." There were no substantive discussions during the free agency period between top Bucs officials and representatives for Sapp, and it appeared early in the week that both sides were prepared to move on. Sapp is coming off a 2003 season in which he totaled 58 tackles and five sacks. The sacks were the fewest since his rookie season in 1995. While many observers insist Sapp is not the dominant force of just a few years ago, the former University of Miami star can still take over a game for stretches. And given the lack of interest by a Bucs team he helped to build into a contender, it is a good bet the prideful Sapp will feel that he has something to prove to Tampa Bay officials and other skeptics as well. The departure of Sapp, along with the release of strong safety John Lynch on Wednesday, marks the end of an era for the Bucs. The 12th overall player chosen in the '95 draft, Sapp has 524 career tackles along with 77 sacks. He has also forced 16 fumbles, had eight recoveries and deflected 20 passes. Sapp has appeared in 140 games and started in 130 of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 Not horrible cause I'm assuming they could deal him. Drew Rosenhaus is a freaking prick. He just plays teams to screw them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 I'm shocked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 I just like how this came out of no where. There were those mentions the past two days of a deal being close w/ Cincy, and he goes to the Raiders..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 Not horrible cause I'm assuming they could deal him. Drew Rosenhaus is a freaking prick. He just plays teams to screw them. You're taking a shot at the Bills, aren't you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 You're taking a shot at the Bills, aren't you? No. Rosenhaus was Kearse's agent. He just freaking calls owners and completely lies to them and says we got this deal on the table or that deal. ITS ALL BULLs***. But now that I think about it, I'm guessing he was the agent that suckered the Bills into taking Mcgahee early? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted March 21, 2004 Author Share Posted March 21, 2004 No. Rosenhaus was Kearse's agent. He just freaking calls owners and completely lies to them and says we got this deal on the table or that deal. ITS ALL BULLs***. But now that I think about it, I'm guessing he was the agent that suckered the Bills into taking Mcgahee early? Oooohhhh u got WSF there Jas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 No. Rosenhaus was Kearse's agent. He just freaking calls owners and completely lies to them and says we got this deal on the table or that deal. ITS ALL BULLs***. But now that I think about it, I'm guessing he was the agent that suckered the Bills into taking Mcgahee early? Sounds like a Scott Boras type guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldmember Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 I'm shocked. me too. i just could never picture sapp in raiders jersey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 But now that I think about it, I'm guessing he was the agent that suckered the Bills into taking Mcgahee early? You are guessing right. Man that was a dumb pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Posted March 22, 2004 Share Posted March 22, 2004 You are guessing right. Man that was a dumb pick. Every Bills fan I know raved about it being the steal of the draft. A 38 yr old Sapp in a Raiders uniform, makes sense to me, the Raiders are stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted March 22, 2004 Author Share Posted March 22, 2004 Did they end up payin Ted Washington more than Warren Sapp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted March 22, 2004 Share Posted March 22, 2004 You are guessing right. Man that was a dumb pick. Is McGahee hurt or something? I still think he has loads of potential if he gets healthy. I just think they should of waited a round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted March 22, 2004 Share Posted March 22, 2004 Every Bills fan I know raved about it being the steal of the draft. A 38 yr old Sapp in a Raiders uniform, makes sense to me, the Raiders are stupid. Who knows how it's going to work out. I've just always been under the philosophy that you draft someone you can actually use in that given year. McGahee had very little PT, if any at all, this year. There were many others they could have drafted that would have been put to better use. It coudl be a steal, but it may not be. I have to think that Rosenhaus had something to do with him going in the first round. Really, he should have probably been drafted around the 2nd round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted March 22, 2004 Author Share Posted March 22, 2004 Another Buc signin elsewhere, The Broncos reached a three-year, $9 million agreement with former Bucs safety John Lynch. Included in the deal is a $2.5 million signing bonus. Lynch, 32, took the weekend to think about his opportunities and was considering a trip to talk to the Oakland Raiders, who signed former teammate Warren Sapp on Saturday. But Lynch decided to go to the Broncos over the Jets when Denver's offer went to $3 million a season. It was a tough choice to not go to the Jets. Lynch is the godfather of coach Herman Edwards' only child and he is very tight with the Jets coach. The Broncos had a busy Monday. Along with signing Lynch, the Broncos signed former Chargers defensive end Raylee Johnson to a three-year, $3.3 million deal that included a $1 million signing bonus, and former Lions defensive tackle Luther Elliss. The timing of Lynch's agreement was interesting. He accepted his deal with the Broncos close to the time of a Raiders press conference involving Sapp. The hard-hitting Lynch, recognized as a team leader, played 11 seasons with the Bucs. He played last season with bone spurs in his neck, but he received clearance to play from doctors two weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSF Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 I didn't know Rosenhaus was Kearse's agent as well? That would explain the Bears losing out on him. The Bears were considered the frontrunner to land Kearse after the 'Skins backed out. Then Philly came out of nowhere to land him. Typical Rosenhaus move. Pit team vs. team without them knowing, and may the higher offer wins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 7 Years???? 36 Mil for Sapp? Wow, Raiders aint going to be looking to hot in about 3 years. In 3 years? They dont look so hot now. Idiots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted March 24, 2004 Author Share Posted March 24, 2004 Raiders and Redskins are goin to really like idiots in 2 to 3 years. That's what you get when u hav owners like Al Davis and Daniel Snyder though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 You guys have to remember, in the NFL these are not guarenteed contracts. All the have to do is cut them and obsorb some of the signing bonus in the salary cap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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