Warren Sapp Tees Off On Al Davis And The Raiders Organization

Friday, October 03, 2008


One of the things I always looking forward to when new ex-players and coaches become a member of the media, is whether they give easy/cupcake answers to questions, or if they actually give honest and sometimes difficult responses. Most people won't say anything about former teams and teammates, but with Warren Sapp we knew it was just a matter of time, and Lane Kiffin's firing gave him the perfect opportunity.

Sapp just laid into the Raiders' entire organization this past Wednesday on Inside the NFL, and the comments were so strong that ESPN even picked up the story....

"[Davis] is the common equation," Sapp said on "Inside the NFL." "You take him out, put him at home watching film or whatever he is doing -- you have a functioning football organization. But once he comes over the top, he goes and starts moving it around.

"Al Davis knows football -- it's just '60s and '70s football. That's what it is. He's thinking that Cliff Branch is outside and [Jim] Plunkett is dropping back and you can throw it 80 yards down the field -- deep ball, deep ball, deep ball."

Sapp even said that Davis would call in plays when Sapp was playing for the Raiders.

"I remember the first two weeks I was there, we played a preseason game. Somebody came up one time and said, 'We're going deep right here, dog.' I said, how do you know? He said, 'The phone just rang.'

"All the preparation that goes into a week of work is there, the practicing that you have to put in order to do these things, sometimes [Al Davis] messed with that part of it and that's what kills you," Sapp said on "Inside the NFL."
I thought I had the video, but for some reason it didn't save (I'll keep trying to look for it though). Either way, you get the idea. It was a pretty eye-opening segment and a refreshing change from the usual run-of-the-mill responses you get from ex-players. Warren Sapp still has some work to do on the show, but as long as he keeps up this level of honesty, I think more and more people will start to tune in.

Update: And here's your video....



Sapp says Kiffin treated unfairly, blames Davis for Raiders' mess (ESPN)

6 Comments:

If there's Raider bashing going on, I'll tune in!

Brad James said...
Oct 3, 2008, 1:24:00 PM  

Al Davis calling plays...awesome.

GMoney said...
Oct 3, 2008, 1:37:00 PM  

Maybe Al had Kiffin go for a field goal from 70 yds out?

Just to make Kiffin look rid.i.cu.lous!

E Buzz said...
Oct 3, 2008, 1:49:00 PM  

I can't wait to hear what Peter King has to say about this.

Anonymous said...
Oct 3, 2008, 1:54:00 PM  

Yes, Al Davis has officially become Monty Burns.

Anonymous said...
Oct 3, 2008, 1:57:00 PM  

Warren Sapp just became awesome in my book, and there's only one thing I want to know: Was the 76-yard field goal an example of "F You" play calling directed at Davis from Kiffin, or was it an example of "Insult To Injury" play calling from Davis directed at Kiffin (to kick him in the ass on his way out of Oakland). I believe Davis stated at his bizarro press conference that Kiffin handled the play calling until this last game.

Discuss!

Anonymous said...
Oct 3, 2008, 6:19:00 PM  

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