Silver and Black Report

Retired Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp

By Victor Cotto, S&B Report Staff Columnist

Warren Sapp’s retirement will impact the Oakland Raiders more off the field than on the field in 2008.

With a bunch of young up and comers on the defense, Rob Ryan will have to search for a fiery and vocal leader that can spice up practices, provide a contagious enthusiasm on the sideline that can help motivate on game day or shelter some of the younger players from the media with their animated banter after games as Sapp did during his tenure.

Sapp rejuvenated himself in 2006 on the field, tallied 10-sacks and lead all NFL tackles in that category. But prior to 2007, he shed 49-pounds in hopes to regain more speed and maybe add some longevity to his career. Instead, it led to a dip in production during a solid but unspectacular season and the final chapter of his hall of fame career.

To Sapp’s credit, even in seasons where his game dipped, the mouthy defensive tackle remained the clear-cut leader on the teams he played for. He injected life into the team when needed, could gauge if his teammates gas-tanks were on empty and inspire as necessary.

Advertisement

No one player could convey what the coaches were thinking on the sideline to the players on the field. Sapp was the only player on Oakland’s defense that others could look up to, depend on for moral support or that extra drive needed to take it up notch during a season.

And with an abundance of youth on Oakland’s defense, it was imperative that Sapp cherished that role.

Now its time for someone else to adopt those responsibilities…

But who will?

The unit’s best player, Nnamdi Asomugha, is unassuming, more cerebral and not the cheerleading type. Derrick Burgess has been to two-pro bowls, can be the defense’s most explosive talent, but may not have the gift of gab like Sapp had. Tommy Kelly will take Sapp’s job along the defensive line, but he lets his play do most of the talking.

Kirk Morrison may be next in line to lead Rob Ryan’s defense

Kirk Morrison may be the one player capable of being the captain of accountability on Ryan’s unit.

Morrison has been a stalwart since his 2005 rookie campaign. Has made the rounds of nationally syndicated sports shows and is becoming accustomed to talking to media about the team he has played for and that has compiled a 10-38 record since his arrival. He’s experienced the bad, and has observed how to lead by example by one of the best.

And by being one the cornerstones on this defense, it is time for Morrison to take on the moniker, ‘Captain Kirk.’

It’s his time to become what Sapp was. It’s time for him to embrace being the leader of the defense.

It’s time for Morrison to lead on the field the team that he once cheered for while sitting on the stands with his dad.

This renovated defense is a work in progress – especially in the front seven. So there will be some growing pains and situations where someone needs to step up and lead.

When times did get tough – and the defense has had their difficult moments throughout the years – the Raiders depended on Sapp to remain stout. They will need a player who won’t just give up, now more than ever, and that wont allow a negative vibe to fester the unit. With Sapp gone, someone has to step it up…

It may just be no. 52.