The Buffaloes should have brought Warren Sapp on board last year! Maybe then they wouldn’t have suffered through the 8 loss season. But it’s better late than never, and the Buffs are finally catching up.

The legendary defensive tackle, Sapp, is diving headfirst into his new role as a defensive analyst. He’s wiping the slate clean and rebuilding a defense from scratch. Moreover, he seems serious about his business. 

On August 14th, in a chat with Uncle Neely, Sapp talked about the steps he’s taking before the season opener. And one big focus is fixing communication gaps. You see, the 51-year-old isn’t a fan of the brief text messages players rely on these days. “They’re doing it in a text message. It’s three-letter words, Wyd,…OMW, stuff like that,” he said, pointing out how this leads to poor communication. He’s determined to change that, “They’re not accustomed to yelling and communication. That’s why I make them do it.” And in classic Sapp style, he added, “A quiet defense is a dumb defense.”

He also stressed on the need for a loud and clear communication system, especially with coaches and players relaying information to each other. “Each one of them has a little part to play. And now you got to pass it down the line. Now, I’m creating communication,” he mentioned.

As part of this effort, Coach Prime & Co has already made some changes. Starting in May, they took away players’ phones during meals to encourage better connections. Now, those phones are locked up in fancy black boxes with hydraulic locks. Looks like the team is doing everything they can to build a stronger season. And Sapp too is setting some expectations straight.

Warren Sapp makes bold promises

Last year, the Colorado Buffaloes didn’t just suffer with a 4-8 record—they had one of the worst defenses in the Pac-12. In fact, they gave up an average of 34.8 points per game. That’s a tough stat to swallow, but Warren Sapp is determined to change it for the Buffs this season.

During their fall camp, Sapp made it clear that he’s not messing around. He firmly warned, not to run on Colorado, and even threw in a bit of humor, comparing the defensive line to an arsenal of bullets: “You get shot with a .38 or .9 mm, you pick.” It’s a playful threat, but Sapp is backing it up with serious work. He’s focusing on building depth and ensuring the guys are solid on the inside. “Last year, we couldn’t stop the run, and that won’t happen with me here,” Sapp confidently stated. That’s the kind of assurance the Buffs need.

Now, this new confidence isn’t just talk; it comes with a revamped roster. The defensive line now features fresh talents like BJ Green II and Nikhai Hill-Green, along with veteran players like safety Shilo Sanders and cornerback Travis Hunter. Sapp, too, seems to have blended well with them, and now it’s time to see if these bold words translate into wins on the field.