You wanted him to stay, but he went. After the Times asked readers Thursday whether Warren Sapp should stay with the Bucs or go elsewhere, you responded. In a big way. We received more than 100 views, running about 21/2-to-1 in favor of No. 99 lining up for the Bucs this fall. Here's a sampling:
STAY . . .
Without Sapp's energy to keep this team up when it is down, we are doomed. Let the man finish his career here. We do not want him as an opponent, that's for sure. I think if he goes, a lot of fans will go too. I know I will. Who's next? Brooks? Alstott? Joe Jurevicius? Where does it end? - Tim Surratt, Clearwater
Sapp hasn't made many friends in the Tampa Bay area with his boorish behavior. But Sapp has always said, "I'm not that kind of person." He has shown up for every game and every offseason. You don't see him getting hauled in to police stations for spousal abuse, drug possession, violence or murder like some other NFL players. I truly think that he loves this franchise. He hasn't been a salary holdout or malcontent in the locker room. He's honored every day of his contract, which is a rarity. Keep the big fella. Just don't ask him for an autograph. - Duane Futch, St. Petersburg
One more year. - Dan Gooden, New Port Richey
When people around the country hear the name "Warren Sapp," they think about the Buccaneers. More important, when they hear the name "Buccaneers," they see the face of Warren Sapp. He's not just a talented player, he's the mascot of this team. Would Disney let Mickey Mouse go? - Mike Green, Winter Park
. . . OR GO
Jon Gruden came to Tampa to be a coach, not a babysitter. Some people give this man too much props. Why didn't the Bucs release Sapp and keep Lynch? - Kelly Furlong, Clearwater
Sapp. The name itself conjures images of arrogance and self-aggrandizement. Sure, Sapp gets double-teamed, but so do a lot of players. For all the smack that spewed out of Sapp's mouth last season, he had zilch to show for it. He needs to go. - Howard Golden, Hudson
It's time the younger guys step up. Sapp's attitude last year was crass. He needs to go. The Dungy era is over. It's time for Gruden to rebuild and establish his own identity. Sapp, though an outstanding player at times, needs to be a "big bully" somewhere else. - Lucretia Silas, Largo
Keep him for offense. Let him go for defense. - Tom Kulaga, Palm Harbor
It's simple. Sapp did nothing for the fans, and the fans are doing nothing for him. Walk the plank, crawl under a rock, who cares? Maybe he will understand the attention he could have had from the fans by signing autographs and working within the community. Ten years from now, when he's working at Home Depot in Ohio, nobody will have any idea who he is. All they will want to know is can he get that paint off the top shelf without crushing the ladder. - Bruce Michaud, Tampa
