Defensive Line Hall of Fame Competition: Warren Sapp vs. Bryant Young

Two Bay Area defensive linemen who had great NFL careers, Bryant Young of the 49ers and Warren Sapp of the Raiders, have retired following the 2007 NFL season. Both had solid careers and will get Hall of Fame consideration.

But since they'll both first be eligible in 2013, they'll have to go up against each other, and that means there might be something of a split vote for defensive linemen. So who has the better case?

They were pretty much even as pass rushers. Sapp had more sacks over the course of his career, 96.5 to 89.5, but that's a fairly small margin, and Sapp was also used as a pure pass rusher more often. I give Young the edge because he was a little bit better against the run early in his career, and a lot better against the run late in his career.


As for the mindset of the Hall of Fame voters, a wild card is the fact that some writers like Young and dislike Sapp because Young usually came across as a quiet, humble, respectful guy, while Sapp could be something of a loudmouth. But other writers liked Sapp better because loudmouths make good copy. That stuff shouldn't be a consideration -- only on-field performance is supposed to be taken into account -- but certain Hall of Fame voters have certain prejudices, and it undoubtedly will be a consideration for at least a few.

Bottom line: I think Young is the more worthy of the two, but Sapp is the bigger name and therefore more likely to be remembered by the voters five years from now. I expect Sapp to get into the Hall of Fame and Young to fall short.