c-ap

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- Warren Sapp isn't too keen on the
weather in Northern California and he isn't too pleased with the
lettering on the back of his jersey. But the seven-time Pro Bowl
defensive tackle is feeling good about the Oakland Raiders' chances
of turning things around in 2003.
"We're definitely going to field better than a 4-12 team, I
guarantee you that," said Sapp, taking a break Saturday during the
Raiders' three-day mandatory mini-camp. "We're going to see if we
can polish this thing up a little bit."
Sapp said he needs to warm up to the climate after spending
nearly a decade in Florida, where he played for the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers. He also went hunting for the Raiders' equipment manager
in hopes of getting the lettering on his jersey enlarged.
"Come on man, I've only got four letters," said Sapp,
wandering through Oakland's locker room. "I've got to spread it out.
This is too small."
There's plenty of opportunity for Sapp to help improve the
defense. Last year Oakland was last among the NFL's 32 teams in
defending the run.
That disastrous season, coming on the heels of a Super Bowl
appearance the season before, cost coach Bill Callahan his job.
Raiders owner Al Davis opened his checkbook and shelled out
more than $50 million to sign Sapp and nose tackle Ted Washington
off the free agent market.
They are being counted on to bolster Oakland's defense.
The Raiders also signed veteran defensive backs Ray
Buchanan, Ike Charlton and Denard Walker, along with linebackers
Dwayne Rudd and Danny Clark. But whatever success Oakland has
defensively in 2004 will start with the players up front.
"When you've got a defensive front like we have, it makes it
that much easier on us," said Buchanan, who is trying to make
Oakland's roster as a free safety after playing cornerback for most
of his NFL career. "You need guys that get a great pass rush."
Sapp provided that in abundance for Tampa Bay, recording 77
sacks while starting all but 10 of the 140 games he played.
He helped the Buccaneers beat the Raiders 48-21 in the 2003
Super Bowl.
Sapp and more than 80 other players are working out at
Oakland's first mini-camp under new head coach Norv Turner.
Cornerback Charles Woodson was the only player missing from
camp. Oakland has tagged Woodson as a franchise player, meaning the
team has to pay him no less than the average of the top five
salaries for players at his position.
He would make $7 million in 2004 as the franchise player but
has yet to sign the Raiders' tender.

c-ap

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- Warren Sapp isn't too keen on the
weather in Northern California and he isn't too pleased with the
lettering on the back of his jersey. But the seven-time Pro Bowl
defensive tackle is feeling good about the Oakland Raiders' chances
of turning things around in 2003.
"We're definitely going to field better than a 4-12 team, I
guarantee you that," said Sapp, taking a break Saturday during the
Raiders' three-day mandatory mini-camp. "We're going to see if we
can polish this thing up a little bit."
Sapp said he needs to warm up to the climate after spending
nearly a decade in Florida, where he played for the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers. He also went hunting for the Raiders' equipment manager
in hopes of getting the lettering on his jersey enlarged.
"Come on man, I've only got four letters," said Sapp,
wandering through Oakland's locker room. "I've got to spread it out.
This is too small."
There's plenty of opportunity for Sapp to help improve the
defense. Last year Oakland was last among the NFL's 32 teams in
defending the run.
That disastrous season, coming on the heels of a Super Bowl
appearance the season before, cost coach Bill Callahan his job.
Raiders owner Al Davis opened his checkbook and shelled out
more than $50 million to sign Sapp and nose tackle Ted Washington
off the free agent market.
They are being counted on to bolster Oakland's defense.
The Raiders also signed veteran defensive backs Ray
Buchanan, Ike Charlton and Denard Walker, along with linebackers
Dwayne Rudd and Danny Clark. But whatever success Oakland has
defensively in 2004 will start with the players up front.
"When you've got a defensive front like we have, it makes it
that much easier on us," said Buchanan, who is trying to make
Oakland's roster as a free safety after playing cornerback for most
of his NFL career. "You need guys that get a great pass rush."
Sapp provided that in abundance for Tampa Bay, recording 77
sacks while starting all but 10 of the 140 games he played.
He helped the Buccaneers beat the Raiders 48-21 in the 2003
Super Bowl.
Sapp and more than 80 other players are working out at
Oakland's first mini-camp under new head coach Norv Turner.
Cornerback Charles Woodson was the only player missing from
camp. Oakland has tagged Woodson as a franchise player, meaning the
team has to pay him no less than the average of the top five
salaries for players at his position.
He would make $7 million in 2004 as the franchise player but
has yet to sign the Raiders' tender.