Warren Sapp joins Inside the NFL

We don't know for sure whether former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive star, paranoiac, Florida native and all around irritant Warren Sapp is joing the cast of Dancing With the Stars.

But we now know one sure spot where sports fans can tune for a dose of his anctics: Showtime's revamped version of Inside the NFL.

Showtime snagged the program when HBO let it go -- leading some sports media experts to wonder why a premium cable channel known mostly for Dexter and boxing matches would bother airing NFL chatter fans will probably hear first on ESPN, anyway.

But making a success of Inside the NFL is yet another way Showtime can prove the coolness torch has passed their way from former "it" channel HBO, so Sapp now has another regular media gig. I hope his dissection of other players' performances makes more sense than some of the tales he told reporters about his own efforts...

Click below for the release:

NEW YORK, NEW YORK  – (August 19, 2008) – Former NFL All-Pro defensive lineman and Super Bowl champion Warren Sapp will join analysts Phil Simms and Cris Collinsworth and host James Brown to complete an all-star lineup on INSIDE THE NFL when the series launches this September on SHOWTIME.  The announcement was made today by Matthew C. Blank, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Showtime Networks Inc. and Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports and Executive Producer, THE NFL ON CBS.

INSIDE THE NFL on SHOWTIME will premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 10 (9:00 PM, ET/PT).  The show, produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films, will air on SHOWTIME each Wednesday during the NFL season through February 11, 2009.

The 31-year-old, Emmy® Award-winning program will continue to deliver in-depth highlights from every game, every week, coupled with the analysts’ breakdown of the upcoming matchups and debates over the league’s hot topics.

“This is a dream job,” said Sapp, who has served as a guest analyst on CBS Sports’ NFL pre-game show, THE NFL TODAY.  “It’s the job I’ve always talked about wanting after my playing career. INSIDE THE NFL has been a staple of television for a long time.  The show digs deeper into the games and the issues surrounding the league more than any other football show out there. I think this new approach will be fresh. For my part, I just came off the field and I’ve got 13 years of experience in the trenches to bring to the table.”

“With his defensive perspective, Sapp is the perfect complement to Simms and Collinsworth,” said Blank. “And having just come off the field, his energy will help push the boundaries of the show to new limits. We are thrilled to have him on SHOWTIME.” 

“Warren Sapp never held back on the field and we don't expect him to hold back in his commentary,” said McManus. “Football fans tuned in to watch him play each week, we expect them to do the same each week to hear what he has to say.”

Sapp was drafted 12th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1995.  After only two years in the league he was named to his first of seven Pro Bowls in 1997.  He was named 1999 Defensive Player of the Year, was named to the NFL All-Decade team and recorded 77 sacks as a Buccaneer, the second highest in team history.  In 2002, Sapp led the Buccaneers to the best record in team history (12-4) and to victory in Super Bowl XXXVII.  In 2004, Sapp signed with the Oakland Raiders.  After a down year in ‘04 and an injury plagued season in ‘05, Sapp returned to his All-Pro form in 2006.  Sapp played one more season with the Raiders in ‘07 before announcing his retirement on Jan. 4, 2008.  Along with co-hosting INSIDE THE NFL in 2008, Sapp will serve as studio analyst and game commentator for The NFL Network. Sapp and his wife, JaMiko Vaughn, have been married since 1998. The couple has two children, Mercedes and Warren, II. 

Past hosts throughout 31 years of the award-winning INSIDE THE NFL have included Chuck Bednarik, Nick Buoniconti, Cris Carter, Collinsworth, Bob Costas, Len Dawson, Jerry Glanville, Merle Harmon, Jimmy Johnson, Peter King, Dan Marino and Al Meltzer.

Comments

[Mikala in Las Vegas]

Loved him in Tampa, Love him on DWTS, and hope he gets close to the finals, even if he doesn't win.

State the facts, not be some low class idiot referring to his weight.

what a arrogant jerk, i want to turn the channel each time i see this guy on nfl network.

[UF Grad]

Sapp is an easy choice for HOF. Idiot Buc Fans are just upset because Sapp didn't sign an autograph for them while he was eatting dinner or walking through the mall.

He's perfect for television. He has a quick wit and a recent knowledge of the game and players.

[Tim in Seattle]

Of course, Sapp belongs in the HOF! 96.5 sacks, 99 DPOY, 02 SB ring and the undisputed best pass rushing DT from the last 10 years, what other reason does anyone think he doesn't belong in the Hall? You can say what you want about his attitude and personality, but the guy played all out and in his way was a leader to the Buccaneers defense. Knowing his personality, quick wit and tell it like it is demeanor, he will be a great announcer for Showtime. I only wished he had chosen to work for ESPN. It would be great fun to see him jaw it up with former nemesis Keyshawn again.

99 for the Bucs Ring of Honor, HOF 2013

[beltwaybandit]

Why do media hire ex-jocks? Simple. It's what the audience buys into.

Someone said it above..."80,000 fans screaming Warren-Warren-Warren".

Of course, I am not sure where that stadium is located because Ray Jay doesn't hold anywhere near that many fans. But I digress....

For some reason, America (and Tampa for sure) assigns some sort of extra value to pro athletes, especially football players.

They think these athletes are smarter, have more wit, and know more about sports, politics and everything else simply because they laced it up for five to fifteen years.

Just goes to show how bright the audience in the U.S. really is.

Also might help explain why we get the political leadership we get. Look who's making the choices at the polls.

[Edward]

Warren Sapp... HOF or no? I say no. Thoughts?

[John]

Just another Jock taking to the air waves. Why is it that when an athletic career is over, either TV or radio hire these Jocks. Most cannot put two sentences together and are very boring. I guess these stations have plenty of extra money to dole out to these unemployed athletes.

[G]

I'll take him over Marino and Carter any day.

[fea@hotmail.com]

Anybody to make Collinsworth and Sims less boring is good. At least Sapp should be interesting.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Just go away Sapp. These are not your quotes in the press release, as you're not that coherent. Also, don't you love it when as players they're surly to media and fans but as soon as they're ex-players then they're everyone's best friend? Sterling Sharpe was the worst. Guy refused to speak one word to media or NFL fans for a decade of playing, then retires and the surly jerk becomes the smiling, happy Mr. Great Guy Sterling Sharpe of the very media he despised. Give me a huge break. Once you stop playing, just go away quickly. I don't care to see you anymore, as another player has taken your spot.

[Joe]

I know some people did not like Warren off the field but on the field there was none better. I remember sitting in the stands and hearing 80,000 plus going "Warren, Warren, Warren". One of my great memories from the days of Sapp, Lynch and Brooks.

[Tim]

He's still a fat-assed jerk ...