ALAMEDA, Calif. - 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 (news)' 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 (news). 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."
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 (news). 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."
