TAMPA - The NFL may not like what Warren Sapp is saying to game officials, but that hasn't stopped it from making the Bucs defensive tackle the co-host of a weekly talk show on its signature network.
Sapp, who was fined $50,000 Tuesday for mistreating officials, will appear with Giants defensive end Michael Strahan each Thursday night beginning Nov. 6 on NFL Total Access.
Sapp and Strahan will broadcast via remote from their team headquarters, discussing and debating the league's hot topics on the premier show of the NFL Network, carried initially on DIRECTV.
The timing of Thursday's announcement was curious, coming the day Sapp enlisted the support of the NFL Players' Association to appeal the fine he received Tuesday.
The league also has threatened to suspend Sapp if his behavior doesn't improve. Before Sunday's game at Washington, Sapp bumped into an official as he entered the field in pregame warmups.
"The appeal will be based on first, the timeliness of it," NFLPA chief Gene Upshaw told the Washington Post. "Second, it's a first offense and that's pretty steep for a first offense. "We also would base (the appeal) on there was no warning. For them to say they looked back at three films and then say, "We looked at those three films and based on those three films we're going to fine you $50,000,' when a first offense is $15,000 and a second offense is $25,000, and you look at the history of bumping officials and guys who actually did it sort of on purpose, they were never that high."
Players' appeals of disciplinary action are heard by commissioner Paul Tagliabue and a league official designated by him.
The pairing with Strahan is interesting since Sapp was highly critical of the Pro Bowl player for the manner in which he set the NFL sacks record in 2001. "I like Sapp; he's entertaining," Strahan said. "It will be very entertaining, guaranteed. ... I am interested to see what is going to happen and I want to see if we are going to be no holds barred or what. But whatever I do or say, it won't cost me $50,000. I'll leave that to him."
SPEAKING OF FINES: Defensive end Greg Spires was fined $7,500 by the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Redskins quarterback Patrick Ramsey. The play occurred during a sack of Ramsey by Sapp and resulted in a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer.
Last week, Sapp was fined $5,000 for his hit on Colts quarterback Peyton Manning on Oct. 6, which also resulted in a penalty.
INJURY UPDATE: Tight end Ken Dilger (left plantar fascia), right guard Jason Whittle (left shoulder sprain) and receiver Keyshawn Johnson (left thigh bruise) did not practice Thursday. Dilger and Whittle are listed as questionble; Johnson is probable for Sunday's game at San Francisco. Cornerback Brian Kelly (left pectoral strain) and linebacker Shelton Quarles (broken forearm) practiced Thursday and are listed as probable. Receiver Karl Williams (left knee strain) also practiced and is probable. Receiver Joe Jurevicius (torn right MCL) is doubtful and has not practiced.
