Professor

Carroll County Times: Westminster, Maryland

excerpt:

But now Sapp has spent the whole offseason with the Ravens studying the nuances of their schemes and is ready to make a bigger impact for a defense that already ranks near the top of the league.

“I had the whole summer to train with these guys and study the playbook,” said Sapp. “I have a better overall understanding and when I make my checks I’m not second guessing myself anymore.”

Although Ed Reed and Dawan Landry are firmly entrenched as the Ravens’ starting safeties, the defensive coaches are thinking of new ways to take advantage of Sapp’s talents. Already there will be some formations with Sapp being on the field at the same time as Reed and Landry in a blitzing role.

“We’ll be doing a lot of different things,” Sapp said.

Last year the biggest challenge for Sapp was learning the playbook and fighting then rookie Landry for the starting safety position in what turned out to be a lucrative position playing next to Reed.

But now that Sapp has a deeper understanding of his role and the playbook, he will face a new challenge as the 2007 season approaches. Being the only experienced backup at the safety position, Sapp will play a role in making sure the young guys are ready to go if the injury bug hits the Ravens secondary.

“I just let them know to try and slow it down,” said Sapp. “The NFL is a whole different game.”

With Sapp’s new roles on the field, the defense promises to be just as effective as last year, but the addition of running back Willis McGahee has provided a spark for both sides and the ball and Sapp said it has pumped up the defense even more.

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