How often does a defensive tackle win Defensive Player of the Year?

[michael89156]

Sapp's play all that matters for HOF


 January, 31, 2013
 
By Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com

 
NEW ORLEANS --

When I walk into the room to vote for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2013 on Saturday morning, I won’t be lugging any of Warren Sapp’s baggage.
 
We’ll see if other voters can do the same. Sapp is a polarizing figure, even in Tampa Bay where he spent the bulk of his career.
 



AP Photo/Steve Nesius, File

Warren Sapp was voted to seven Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro for four straight seasons.


There are numerous stories about him being rude to fans. A lot of people around the league, including some in his own locker room, didn’t approve of all of Sapp’s antics. He could be arrogant and rude.
 
I once saw him bring a young reporter to tears in Cincinnati. As the beat writer for The Tampa Tribune early in Sapp’s career, I took a few verbal lashings. But there also were times when Sapp was engaging and lighthearted, although many in the media never experienced those moments, or have forgotten them.
 
None of that matters, because whether or not Sapp goes into the Hall of Fame in the first year he is eligible is not about his personality. And it certainly isn’t about the media’s personal feelings about him.
 
The only criteria for selection in the Hall of Fame’s by-laws is what a player did on the field. I think Sapp did plenty.
 
He was the dominant defensive tackle of his generation and, all these years later, we’re still waiting for the next Sapp.
 
I’m not fully prepared to say I’m voting for Sapp. I want to hear all the presentations before making a decision. But, as I sit here looking at the numbers, my gut feeling is that I’ll vote for him.
 
Sapp was a dominating force at defensive tackle. Without him and Derrick Brooks, I don’t think the Bucs of the late 1990s and early 2000s would be remembered as one of the best defenses ever. Without Sapp, I doubt the Bucs would have won a Super Bowl title.
 
Sapp was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1999. How often does a defensive tackle win Defensive Player of the Year?
 
The guy had better sack numbers than most defensive ends. He finished with 96.5 career sacks, including four seasons in which he reached double digits. He was voted to seven Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro for four straight seasons.
 
So what if he wasn’t always the most pleasant guy to be around?

He did his job on the field. That really is all that matters.

[The Anti-Java]

Love that big MF'er.   Hope he gets in on the first ballot.  It's a sham if he doesn't.

[Hate]

I was at work today and it hit me that we're only a few hours away... got a few butterflies in my stomach. Shortly after his name gets called on Saturday nite, i'll be booking my flight to Ohio.

[Bucs_Rule]

I was at work today and it hit me that we're only a few hours away... got a few butterflies in my stomach. Shortly after his name gets called on Saturday nite, i'll be booking my flight to Ohio.

If Sapp does get selected I will be right there with you Hate.

[Hate]

I was at work today and it hit me that we're only a few hours away... got a few butterflies in my stomach. Shortly after his name gets called on Saturday nite, i'll be booking my flight to Ohio.

If Sapp does get selected I will be right there with you Hate.

My brother and I along with a few of my buddies have talked about this for years.  Chace, B Schucher and SarasotaBucFan from here have also said they're going.

[Bucs_Rule]

I was at work today and it hit me that we're only a few hours away... got a few butterflies in my stomach. Shortly after his name gets called on Saturday nite, i'll be booking my flight to Ohio.

If Sapp does get selected I will be right there with you Hate.

My brother and I along with a few of my buddies have talked about this for years.  Chace, B Schucher and SarasotaBucFan from here have also said they're going.

We should have a PR gettogether up there. I also plan to go when Lynch and Brooks are inducted.

[The Anti-Java]

Never understood the notion that you have to be a choir boy to get in the HOF.  If its a problem for Warren, Ray-Ray doesn't have a prayer.

[Hate]

According to Ira Kaufman, the voters go over the rules before the presentations take place and they are told that the players are judged on what took place within the white lines.... and nothing else. I'm sure that doesn't always happen.

[Legend]

I was at work today and it hit me that we're only a few hours away... got a few butterflies in my stomach. Shortly after his name gets called on Saturday nite, i'll be booking my flight to Ohio.

If Sapp does get selected I will be right there with you Hate.

My brother and I along with a few of my buddies have talked about this for years.  Chace, B Schucher and SarasotaBucFan from here have also said they're going.

Don't get robbed.
We had about numerous incidents last year, someone got shot, another stabbed and fights everywhere. They really need to consider moving the parade route to a safer area. Its so bad now, a cop literally could smell a weed growing house on the parade route and busted the person.