Warren Sapp: Pittsburgh Steelers' D still 'old and slow'

[SteelCrazy]

Apparently, Warren Sapp isn't finished talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense.

Back in 2011, the NFL Network analyst made enemies galore in the Steel City when he slammed Pittsburgh's aging D after a Week 1 drubbing at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens.

"They're old and slow," Sapp told "The Dan Patrick Show," saying he saw "old, ornery veterans get whooped" up and down the field.

Asked Wednesday on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access" if he'd still call the Steelers' defense "old and slow," Sapp didn't hesitate.

"Old and slow? Yes, I would," Sapp said. "Because seven of the 11 starters are 28 years or older, and that's around the time, in this league, they go to questioning, you know, 'Where's his legs? Should we look for the backup?'

"And Brett Keisel, bless his soul, No. 99 in your program, No. 1 in your heart, he turns 35 the first month of the year. And three of the four secondary guys there are 32 years old or older."

Yes, the Steelers are flooded with blue hairs, but we doubt they're listening. That "old and slow" Pittsburgh defense started out ugly in 2011 but finished as the NFL's top unit. For an encore, the Steelers went out and did it again last season.

The constant here is 75-year-old defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who has been coaching since Richard Nixon roamed the White House and probably doesn't watch much NFL Network. LeBeau just coaches. Old players, slow players and some of the league's best.

UPDATE: Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey was asked about Sapp's comment Thursday morning on NFL Network's "NFL AM." He was not worried: "You know everybody has their own opinion," Pouncey said. "But I was just out there with the guys yesterday, they seem pretty good to me.

[url]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000211766/article/warren-sapp-pittsburgh-steelers-d-still-old-and-slow[/url]

[thor75]

This is just a "surface" diagnosis by a blowhard who is trying to keep his name relevant because he has no in-depth analysis. Lump him in with the Michael Irvin, Deion Sander, Mike Ditka types vs. the Mark Schlereth, Trent Dilfer, Willie McGinest and Kurt Warner types who actually offer some insight.

[feltdizz]

I cant believe a retired vet who works for NFLN gave his opinion... he just wants to be on TV.

[Slapstick]

Should it be called "Woodley syndrome" or "Sapp Syndrome"?

[DukieBoy]

Sapp is slow in more than one way.

[Oviedo]

Sapp was an idiot as a player and still is. He is comic relief for the NFL Network and nothing more

[Eddie Spaghetti]

should have fired the bum when they had the chance

[flippy]

The NFL Network should hire Joey Porter to sit next to Sapp and discuss football. That would be fun to watch.

[Flasteel]

This thread makes me smile.

[flippy]

This thread makes me smile.

It is kinda funny considering we have one of the fastest secondaries in the game between Troy, Ike, and Tez. The Clark who's the slowest of the bunch is at the top of his game. Add Shark into the mix and these guys are ridiculously speedy.

At LB, Timmons is one of the quickest guys in the league. Woodley is surprisingly quick for his size. Worilds is even faster. You could say Foote is the only slow one out of the bunch and he's always been slow but smart and takes good angles to make plays.

The Dline, who cares. These guys aren't running more than 5-10 yards per play. And Keisel is freakishly fast and gets quite a bit of pressure even though he's the only old guy on the line. The rest are youngins.

We've actually got an overabundance of speed where it matters. He can make the case that we're old, but slow is a stretch. And the funny part is the oldest guys are some of the fastest at their respective positions.

Sapp's a sapp.

[Shawn]

This thread makes me smile.

i wondering if you are smiling for the same reasons I am. Between the disrespect Ben received as the 60 something best player in the NFL, to the old tired worn out D comments...all of this coming off an 8-8 season...I feel it coming. I have seen this before. This team is gearing up for another run.

[Jooser]

i wondering if you are smiling for the same reasons I am. Between the disrespect Ben received as the 60 something best player in the NFL, to the old tired worn out D comments...all of this coming off an 8-8 season...I feel it coming. I have seen this before. This team is gearing up for another run.

I just got shivers. I know what you're saying, and I like it.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I bet the exercise room is barely used and the lazy river is extensively used.

[DukieBoy]

I bet the exercise room is barely used and the lazy river is extensively used.

I'm wondering how much he needs to use the 8 bathrooms. There might be a concern there.

[Flasteel]

i wondering if you are smiling for the same reasons I am. Between the disrespect Ben received as the 60 something best player in the NFL, to the old tired worn out D comments...all of this coming off an 8-8 season...I feel it coming. I have seen this before. This team is gearing up for another run.

I absolutely love the challenge of proving people wrong. Those who believe a player or a team shouldn't be capable of going beyond the 100% they should already be giving, just don't get it. I once wrote and published an entire book because someone laughed and told me I wouldn't do it. It can drive a man and that drive can be sustained until you get done what you came to do.

So yeah, I am smiling at yet another high-profile challenge being laid down at their feet.

Besides...you're right Shawn. We have seen this before. When the expectations have been low, this team has seemingly accepted that challenge and rose-up to prove everyone wrong. Too bad we're usually expected to do well, right?

But this here thread is a twofer my friend...a bogo, if you will.

I can't stand Warren Sapp. I know what he is - and what he is could not be captured more perfectly than the eloquent words spoken by Mr. Kris Jenkins, which are found in my sig.

To know that I get to view an entire thread of vitriol spewed at this D-bag also makes me smile. When I think of the imaginary hate bombs raining down on that fat turd's head from across the entire Steeler Nation, I smile more.