Tampa Bay Buccaneers all-time Mount Rushmore

20 Aug 2000: Derrick Brooks #55 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers calls out instructions during the game against the New England Patriots at the Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Buccaneers defeated the Patriots 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart/Allsport /

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 7: Warren Sapp #99 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with his team after scoring a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints on December 7, 2003 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mount Rushmore: DT Warren Sapp

He was one of the greatest defensive tackles when it came to pressuring opposing quarterbacks. In those days and traditionally, that’s more of a role for the ends in the 4-3 or the outside linebackers in the 3-4. But Warren Sapp’s quickness combined aggressive nature made him a major factor when it came to the pass rush. And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reaped those benefits for nine seasons.

The franchise also took advantage of the fact that for any number of reasons, the former University of Miami standout slipped to the 12th pick in the 1995 draft. He played in all 16 games as a rookie and made only eight starts, finishing with just three sacks and one interception.

In 1996, the Buccaneers hired Tony Dungy to be their head coach and Sapp and the team began its ascent. He finished with nine sacks that year and 10.5 QB traps in ’97. Two years later, he was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year as the team reached the NFC title game. And in 2002, the franchise hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.

He spent the final four years of his Hall of Fame career in Oakland. But it was in Tampa where he was a six-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro. And 77 of his 96.5 career sacks came with the Buccaneers.

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