Feb 2, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NFL network on air personality Warren Sapp at radio row for Super Bowl week. The New York Giants will play the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI . Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

For full disclosure, I have to begin by saying Warren Sapp is not my favorite NFL player alumni; he’s not my favorite broadcaster; he definitely doesn’t deserve first ballot induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame; and I think he’s just a mouth with no brain.

Ok, so I’ve got that off my chest and you understand from where I arrive.

With that said, I’ve got even more venom – he should be fired from his gig as an “analyst” with the NFL Network. How he was hired for the job in the first place is beyond me, but after yesterday’s F-bomb-dropping incident, the man should be immediately thrown out the door on his ear.

Ok, so nobody’s really sure if it was Sapp in the background saying, “The f–king Bill Belichick f–king angle,” but most think it sure sounded like him … so if it walks and talks like a duck, well then it’s a duck.

Regardless of the fact that last April the guy filed for bankruptcy, allegedly owing more than $6.7 million to creditors, and also owing back child support and alimony, Sapp should be given the benefit of the doubt. But when he doesn’t have the wherewithal to control his mouth – even when he’s off-air – he doesn’t deserve to be on-air.

And where’s his apology?

The network’s Chris Rose opened today’s Free Agency Frenzy show by reading an apology, but it was so vague anyone who didn’t know the situation behind the words would have had no idea why the statement was being read.

Here’s what he had to say: “Before we give you the news of the day we want to offer an apology. Last night during some live programming, we accidentally aired an expletive. It will not happen again, so our sincerest apology to Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, the Patriots family, Robert Kraft and his entire family, a classy organization out there. Once again, it’s not who we are, it’s not what we do, and it will not happen again.”

No mention of the man who did it. Why are they protecting him? He should have been paraded in front of the camera and made to come clean.

Sapp should man up, admit he did it and then face the consequences. After all, he is a man, right? He is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, right? Which brings me to the next point. Sapp gets elected on a first ballot this spring, but you’ve got a player like Jerry Kramer – the salt of the earth, the player who led the Packers’ offensive line of the 60s and is the only member of the all-first 50-year team not in the Hall. Now that’s a travesty. Can you imagine Jerry Kramer pulling a stunt like Sapp did yesterday? Obviously not.

But I digress.

Sapp is an embarrassment. Sapp is a hood. Sapp should not be allowed to continue in his current capacity with the network.

Where are the balls of the network officials? Where is the outrage? Do your job. Rid yourself of Warren Sapp so we don’t have to continue to listen to his drivel.

And if you care to listen, here you go …

NFL Network announcer Warren Sapp has declared bankruptcy. Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

The news today that seven-time Pro Bowler and NFL Network loudmouth Warren Sapp has filed for bankruptcy. The Associated Press says he owes more than $6.7 million to creditors, also owing back child support and alimony.

Wow!

How does this happen to a highly successful player who spent years making millions of dollars? In fact, his MONTHLY income is reported to be $115,000. Among the assets he lists? Lots of shoes and a lion skin rug.

According to published reports, here is a description:

Sapp’s $6.45 million in assets includes 240 pairs of Jordan athletic shoes worth almost $6,500, a $2,250 watch and a lion skin rug worth $1,200. He also reported losing his 2002 Super Bowl ring with the Bucs and his 1991 national championship ring from the University of Miami.

Remember his blindside hit on Packers offensive tackle Chad Clifton and his face-to-face showdown with then-head coach Mike Sherman? Those incidents, his continued head-butting with Brett Favre and many other run-ins with players and coaches throughout his career were only superseded by his flapping lips – something that he’s carried into the NFL Network’s studios. He most recently got himself into hot water when he called tight end Jeremy Shockey as the “snitch” responsible for the New Orleans Saints’ Bountygate.

According to the bankruptcy filing, his NFL Network contract is up in August. We wonder if he will be renewed.

He was a great player, no doubt. He recorded 96.5 sacks in a career in Tampa Bay and Oakland, but that doesn’t matter now.

Sapp’s situation is a sad, sad statement on our society and an embarrassment to a supposed superstar who can’t support his children and former mate … consider all those in the world who don’t have a roof over their heads nor food in their stomachs. It’s pretty difficult to be feeling sorry for Mr. Sapp.

In fact, his last name says it all … yes, he is a sap.

Chad Clifton has labored for more than a decade for the Green Bay Packers, protecting both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers' backsides. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Looking at profootballtalk.com’s recent top 10 candidates who could be casualties of the NFL cap, we can all understand how this business changes so quickly.

Among the players listed in the top 10 are Packers longtime left tackle Chad Clifton and former defensive end Aaron Kampman.

Both are class acts; both were stars with the Green Bay Packers; both most likely will be out of a job very soon.

Remember how Clifton’s hip was smashed in that brutal hit from Warren Sapp so many years ago? Remember how he rehabilitated and came back from an injury many thought was career-ending? Remember how he played for several more years with the Packers, finally getting his Super Bowl ring as a valuable member of the 2010 World Campionship team?

That’s why it’s going to be tough to eventually say goodbye to the gentle giant who most likely is headed to the Packers Hall of Fame.

Kampman was also a valued member of the team and a leader of men while in Green Bay. For several years, he was the face of the Packers’ defense – the team’s most active and feared pass rusher. Though age, injuries and dollars finally caught up with Kampman who was injured in 2009 against the San Francisco 49ers, he exited Green Bay with his head held high and caught on with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Though his time there was limited, again he was the type of player any team would like to have in the locker room and on the field.

So, while perusing this list, it was difficult to imagine how these players come and go so quickly. Though the league is a “what have you done for me today?” organization, we won’t soon forget what these two players have done for the Green Bay Packers.

Class acts who no doubt will leave the game as the entered … humbled and happy for the opportunity.

Thanks, guys.

Going into this game, the Packers are either going to be high on momentum or utterly out of gas. They could lose two absolutely deflating games to the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys, or they could be 3-0 with oh so much momentum. The Buccaneers are interesting adversary for this pivotal game as well. The former NFC Central rival did win the NFC South last season, but they won it with a record of 9-7 and they struggled down the stretch before losing in the Wild-Card round to the eventual Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. The Buccaneers are a decent team that the Packers should be able to beat, but there are some matchups that need to be exploited for this to happen.

Packers secondary vs. Buccaneers quarterbacks: The Bucs have a lot of quarterbacks on their roster that could all start this year. Jeff Garcia, Luke McCown, and Brian Griese are the favorites while rookie Josh Johnson is hanging around. The lack of a set-in-stone starter takes away from continuity in the offense. Instead of having one starter with the first team every practice, the team cycles through the quarterbacks and the team has to adjust to each individual one. This is detrimental to the development between the offensive line and quarterback, running backs and quarterback, and wide receivers and quarterbacks. Essentially the whole team. The Packers secondary has to take advantage of the different timing between the wide receivers and quarterbacks in this game by searching for routes to jump, playing tight coverage, and looking for every opportunity to make wide receiver and quarterbacks life miserable.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Tampa Bay linebackers: The Bucs have a very good linebacking corps, with Derrick Brooks, Cato June, and Barrett Ruud all manning the second level of the defense. These three playmakers will most likely be licking their chops to get a shot at Rodgers, who will have already faced two tough defenses in three weeks. Rodgers will have to make quick decisions along with not getting fooled by unusual coverages and linebacker blitzes. Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson will also be counted on to pick up a blitzing linebacker, giving Rodgers time to find an open receiver.

Chad Clifton vs. Gaines Adams: This is an unusual pick for an important matchup, but the play of these two players will have a direct impact on the outcome of the game. Adams is a speed rusher coming from Rodgers’ blindside. Clifton protects that blindside. Adams is young and spry. Clifton is aging and feeling the effects of that Warren Sapp cheapshot. Adams will be counted on to put pressure on Rodgers and rush his progressions, while Clifton will need to protect that blindside and keep A-Rod in one piece.

The Verdict: I’m predicting a good old fashioned NFC Central slugfest in this one, with the Packers pulling it out, 17-13.

The Packers are 3-1 after four weeks of the season.