The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. - Warren Sapp, a seven-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, is set to become a free agent for the first time next week. But he isn't eager to change teams after helping transform the once-laughable Tampa Bay Buccaneers into one of the NFL's elite franchises.

"If it's my choice, I'd keep laying bricks right here in Rome. Rome wasn't built in a day, but it was torn down in 20 minutes," Sapp said, breaking into a laugh.

A year removed from winning the Super Bowl, Sapp not only wants to remain a Buc, but also is eager to show he's still the league's most dominant player at his position. The Buccaneers aren't sure they can afford to re-sign him.

Sapp earned $6.6 million in the final season of six-year, $36 million contract he signed in 1998. He was the NFL defensive player of the year in 1999 and with 77 career sacks, he's two shy of Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon's team record.

The 31-year-old said he won't seek an unreasonable paycheck to finish in a Bucs uniform. "I collected $40 million in the last nine years. I'm not going to sit here and tell you I should command a $30 million or $100 million deal," he said.

49ERS: Terrell Owens and agent David Joseph claim they weren't told that the deadline to void the final three years of the wide receiver's contract had been moved up 10 days to Feb. 21. Owens, who would have been one of this year's premier free agents, is still under contract to the 49ers because of the mixup.

"I can assure you that neither my agent nor myself made a mistake like this," Owens told Sporting News Radio on Friday.

Joseph has filed a grievance with the NFL Management Council.

CLARETT CASE: The NFL made another attempt to block the court ruling allowing Ohio State underclassman Maurice Clarett to enter April's draft. The league asked the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for a stay of U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin's ruling from earlier this month.

JETS: Quarterback Ricky Ray, who led the Edmonton Eskimos to the Canadian league title last season, signed with New York. He was 348-of-515 for 4,640 yards with 35 touchdowns in 2003.

The Jets cut cornerback Aaron Beasley, who started all 31 of his games with New York, and announced that guard Dave Szott has retired after 14 NFL seasons.

STEELERS: Longtime starters Dewayne Washington, a cornerback, and Mark Breuner, a tight end, were released. The Steelers created $1.32 million of salary cap room with the moves.

BRONCOS: Pro Bowl linebacker Al Wilson signed a seven-year, $42 million contract with Denver. The deal that includes a signing bonus in excess of $10 million.

Return to Bengals front page...