Thanks for the updated link. Now I'm seeing why his comments were viewed so negatively. Anybody involved with media knows comparisons between young players and all-time greats are constantly made. It's all speculation and fun because we are always fascinated by potential. As these young players progress through their careers, they build up their own legacy and these comparisons stop being made because now they've played long enough for us to gauge their career production. Media guy like Sapp should know this even more than casual sports fan. Although Sapp could have handled it better, his comments really aren't false. Sheldon isn't a top pass rusher at the moment BUT Sapp did not say Sheldon can't become one in the future. Merely said fans/media should wait before calling him great.
He's right in the context that Richardson wasn't a very productive pass rusher. But it was his rookie season, and while his pass rush might not have fully developed yet his run stuffing was absolutely elite. As he continues to develop his pass rushing will get better just like it did for Wilkerson.
I didn't think Sapp realy ripped Shelrich. He essentially said that it was time to stop bellyaching about the draft, put it in the rear view mirror which will free Shelrich to focus instead on his future in front of him. You have a 'tude that you got picked #13? C'mon, Tom Brady (#199) moved on. That draft (and rookie season) is history, and like Sapp said, you can't do the draft over again. Time for the "young vet" to focus on making his own history. This "quote" by Sapp? Much ado about nothing imho. Just Sapp flapping the gums again...
As far as I know Sheldon has never been arrested for hitting a woman, so sometimes its good to not be like Sapp.
Your right on that. Only thing is he seemed almost offended that they compared the two, when in his rookie season, he had less sacks than Sheldon. Then he brings in his college career. Sheldon's weakness coming into the NFL was supposed to be stopping the run while his strength was rushing the passer. But of course, if Sapp would know more about these types of things he wouldn't have brought it up.
No... Sapp ripped him He ripped him because someone had the temerity to compare Richardson to the great Warren Sapp. Well, only time can tell on that, but Richardson does compare favorably with Sapp's rookie year, where, according to Pro Football Reference, Sapp only started 8 games, got 3 sacks and made 17 tackles. As for complaining about his draft selection, I guess Sapp would take issue with Mel Kiper, who recently rated Richardson #1 on the 2013 re-draft. As for player's complaining about and being motivated by their draft selection position, that's not unique. Isn't that what this whole Richard Sherman thing is about? I never liked Sapp. For my money, he was an overrated, self-agrandizing loudmouth who picked his spots. Kind of like Howie Long.
Oh yeah. I totally agree that Sapp is an ass. He did seem offended. It seems like he has something against New York players. He thinks they're overhyped. Only thing is he picked the wrong two players to attack because Strahan and Richardson are/were legit NFL talents. I was just talking about the pass rushing comment he made in regards to Richardson.
Well...let's compare the rookie season of Warren Sapp and Richardson: https://twitter.com/Steiny31/status/428679627574231040/photo/1 Sapp had 3 sacks his rookie season. Richardson had 3.5 Sapp had 26 tackles. Richardson had 77
“@Godforshort: Hey people hated on Jesus what makes me better...but you keep doing your #HOF thing tho..P.S. I never wanted to be compared...”
Looking at it from Sapp's perspective I kind of get it. He has no verbal filter even when the audience is the whole world. He's one of the all time greats at the game and obviously worked very hard to achieve what he did. Of course he doesn't want to hear that some rookie is going to be the next Sapp. Sheldon did make the public quotes about his draft position at least two or three times, so it was the easy thing for Sapp to say some bullshit about. Then he took the easy pot shot at the passrushing. As far as I'm concerned the only story is that Richardson should take that criticism for motivation to shove those words down Sapp's throat in the coming years.
Sapp is always putting his foot in his mouth. Been going on since the U. I also noticed that he seems to have something against NY teams and players so good call by the poster who pointed that out. It really wasn't bad at all what he said. Just extra motivation for Sheldon.
Well Sapp is a Bucs homer and Richardson was the guy we got thanks to Tampa Bay's pick so I think Sapp doesn't want the Bucs organization and fans to get haunted by Richardson and his development. I am sure Bucs fans are rooting against Richardson for this reason....just like plenty of fanbases would do the same. They don't want to be haunted by their former draft picks.
this is the type of stuff guys get frustrated about. we pump these guys up because they played well as a rookie and project them into being superstars. then we talk about them as if they are superstars already. warren sapp was a superstar, he did things at dt that most people cant do. think about the fact that he was a pass rushing dt. richardson had a pretty good freshman year, he did some things better than others and COULD be a very good player who keeps improving and turns into a superstar. he isnt there yet and us as jets fans need to stop projecting him into what we hope he is. and using that projection to speak about his current play.
I think Sapp is an asshole but his assessment of year 1 was correct. His pass rushing was not a factor, in year 2 we hope to see some more pass rush from Richardson. I expect him to become a very good well rounded defender, and Sapp to end up admitting he was wrong if he has requisite genitalia.
