Apr 27, 2024; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive line coach Warren Sapp reacts on the sideline during a spring game event at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp is enjoying his first fall camp as a graduate student on head coach Deion Sanders’ Colorado staff.
Sapp, who visited the Buffs during last year’s preseason camp before officially joining the team earlier this year, spoke to the media on Tuesday about his experience so far in helping mentor college players. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend shared that working with Colorado’s defensive linemen has been a rewarding and powerful venture for him.
Sapp and the Buffs have just over two weeks until their season opener against North Dakota State on Aug. 29.
Check out some of Sapp’s best quotes from Tuesday:
On if coaching has lived up to his expecations
Dec 5, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Warren Sapp looks on from the sidelines before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
“For someone that never wanted to do this, I’m really addicted to it right now. The babies are really giving me a purpose in life, and I’m enjoying it.”
On players’ passion
Colorado’s special teams tries to deflect a field goal attempt during a Colorado football spring game at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo., on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
“I just love their energy, their willingness to come and work and learn and take it from the classroom out to the practice field and the drills we’re doing. I tell them, ‘You show me how you love this by the way you work.’ I’m a fun guy, I think, but I do get them to work. They meet me more than halfway, so that’s all I ask.”
On how playing defensive line has changed over the years
Apr 27, 2024; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive line coach Warren Sapp reacts on the sideline during a spring game event at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
“Back when I played, they’d run it 30 to 40 times and then throw it 20 to 30. Now it’s we’ll close it down and throw it 40 to 50 times and choose when we want to run. But it’s still the same game. It’s a beautiful game.”
On Colorado’s DL personnel
Oct 23, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Dayon Hayes (50) reacts after recording a sack against the Clemson Tigers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
“We’ve got five (defensive) ends that’ll rush. I tell them, ‘We got five ends on a two-lane highway, so y’all better fight for those reps because they’re gonna go fast. Inside, we’re just building depth and wanting the guys to be nice and solid. The one thing that I did see last year before I turned the TV off was we couldn’t stop the run, and that won’t happen with me.”
On building unity
ASU defensive lineman BJ Green II (35) celebrates a sack against Washington near the end zone during a game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Oct. 8, 2022.
“We need a unit and a pack to go hunt. If a bunch of wild dogs show up in your neighborhood, nobody’s coming outside, and that’s what I’m telling them. We’re gonna show up like a bunch of wild dogs to the stadium and we gonna hunt. The table is set, let’s eat.”
On working to stop the run
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 25: Sione Vaki #28 of the Utah Utes rushes the ball agaisnt Demouy Kennedy#22 and Shane Cokes #99 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second half of their game at Rice Eccles Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
“We’re going full concrete. We’re going to make sure we’re fundamentally sound in our gaps and our hands and our feet and trust in our eyes. That’s the most beautiful thing with the D-line position. Offensive linemen don’t lie.”
On his relationship with Colorado DL coach Damione Lewis
Dec 02, 2010; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Texans defensive tackle Damione Lewis (97) leaves the field at the end of warmups prior to playing the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Texans 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
“He came behind me at Miami, so he’s one of those guys that was the next baby Sapp. He’s been trying to beat me his whole life, so now we’re putting it together and see if we can turn them into something that’s better than both of us. We have a great push-pull relationship, we see the game the same way and just love it.”
On mentality at practice
Nov 17, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive lineman Shane Cokes (99) looks on during a game against the Washington State Cougars in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Washington State won 56-14. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
“We believe in iron sharpens iron. If you’re gonna be the best, you gotta beat the best that we got and then continue. We’re gonna go at it every day. He’s gonna have a plan and you’re gonna have a plan. Like Mike Tyson said, ‘We all got to play until you get punched in the mouth.'”
On coaching mentality
TEMPE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 07: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes leads teammates onto the field before the NCAAF game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium on October 07, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
“Coaching is a whole different thing. This is the first time I’m going for a championship that I’m not leading. That’s a beautiful thing that now I have to relinquish the will and let somebody else drive. It’s a beautiful thing to watch my kids, day in and day out, get a little better.”
On what success looks like to him
Nov 25, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes running back Ja’Quinden Jackson (3) breaks through Colorado Buffaloes defense at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports
“The seeds that me and D-Lew (Damione Lewis) and (Vincent) Dancy put into them, I want to see them blossom into the flowers. It’s a beautiful thing when you see your kids doing what they’re doing.”
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Warren Sapp discusses first fall camp working with Colorado’s D-line
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Publish date : 2024-08-13 08:32:00
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