Raiders’ slender Sapp plays weight-ing game

ALAMEDA, Calif. – JaMarcus Russell’s immense size was much less of a jolt for many of the Oakland Raiders than the sight of Warren Sapp.

The formerly bulky Sapp arrived at minicamp this weekend looking like a scaled-down version of himself, dropping nearly 50 pounds since the end of last season and weighing only about 25 pounds more than Oakland’s rookie quarterback.

“He looks funny, doesn’t he,” defensive end Derrick Burgess said. “Looks good though. I like what he did for himself. That should add about six more sacks to it I bet.”

Sapp did just fine at his old weight of 334 pounds, recording 10 sacks in his most productive season since 2000 and anchoring a defense that was the only strength for the Raiders during a difficult 2-14 season.

But he still spent the offseason slimming down and is as light as he’s been in years. Sapp wouldn’t disclose how much weight he lost but coach Lane Kiffin said his star defensive tackle was down to 285 pounds from 334 late last season.

“He looks fast out here, he’s flying around. Obviously we’re extremely pleased where he’s at right now,” Kiffin said. “He had told us a number of times how hard he was working down there in Florida. … He’s right on schedule.”

Sapp is still his talkative self on the field, interjecting comments and trash talk throughout practice all weekend. Sapp said he hadn’t stepped on a scale recently but that he was motivated by next season’s schedule to lose the weight.

The Raiders make a trip to Miami to face the Dolphins on Sept. 30, and after playing his college career in the South Florida heat while at Miami, Sapp knew it would be hard to succeed down there at his old weight. He already is noticing some differences.

Sapp is pleased that most of Oakland’s defense is back this season, along with coordinator Rob Ryan. He said the continuity will be a big benefit since the players know what defenses Ryan likes to call at what times.