camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

After so many excellent comments there is nothing new I could add. What I do want to emphasize is that sharpness depends a lot on us. Your 70-200 f4 is an excellent optics as has already been stated. Shooting sports or wildlife will call for a high shutter speed, many times that goes with high ISO settings.
In your case I would recommend that you review your shooting techniques. I bet your shutter speed is not high enough for sharpness.

As has been already stated your lens should perform at its best at around f8-f11.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

You might take your camera and lens to a professional camera shop and get them to electronically calibrate them. It usually costs around 40-50 dollars. If that doesn't work it's probable that something is lacking in technique with you. The 70-200 lens is one of the sharpest lenses on the market.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

agillot

70 / 200 1.4 ??? , i wonder when you go to such a small f stop , you loose something .I wonder if it was a 2.8 or f4 , things would look different .

photon-collector Loc: Tampa Bay Area, Florida

As others have mentioned, the Nikon 70-200 is a fine-quality lens. My 70-200, f2.8 is one of the sharpest lenses I own. Some very good advice has already been given, so I shall not repeat it. I suggest you increase your ISO, increase your shutter speed (1/500th or greater), and make sure there is a "focus lock" before you activate the shutter. I use a monopod with mine with good results. Good luck with your shooting.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

You already have one of the worlds sharpest zoom lenses, the AF-S Nikkor VR 70-200 2.8 G ED lens. I owned that lens and I got tremendously good images from it out of the box.
In my honest opinion, you do not have the best camera for sports, you may want to consider a used mint D500 rather than a new lens.
Have you called Nikon, 1-800-645-6687, to ask them questions about the lens like, why am I not getting sharp images? with this lens.
Typically, stopping down a lens either 2 or 3 stops is supposed to maximize the sharpness of a lens. But that lens was designed to give great results wide open.
Are you shooting fast enough? 1/1000 sec. should be your minimum speed, 1/2000 sec. would be a lot better.
How are you holding your camera? If your not holding your camera correctly, then your not going to get proper images.
How are you panning for sports with your camera? There are proper techniques in moving your camera that will maximize your sharpness.
You say you want a "little sharper images", maybe by using the correct techniques you can get a "little sharper image" from your current camera.
What focusing option are you using, the D7200 has several focusing modes to choose from, are you using the proper one for the sports you are shooting?
Finally I want to discuss your following quote, " When I see other photographer's shots from the same event I shoot at, and they are sharper, it makes me realize I can do better. "
What lens are they shooting? What focusing mode are they in? How fast are they shooting? What equipment are they using? Have you discussed this issue with them? If you have seen their images, you must know them, you should go out of your way and discuss this issue with them.
I have given you a lot of information that you need to consider before moving to buying another lens.
Remember, if you keep doing the same thing, you will not get different results, no matter what you do.
A golf pro can get a great score using old clubs, they do not need the latest greatest equipment, because they have sound fundamentals.
You must first ask, how are my fundamentals, are they good enough to get good images, if they are not, you must learn a way to improve your fundamentals to a point that your are getting better results with your current equipment.

uhaas2009

Set up a still life where you can focus easily on your subject and put camera on tripod. Check the focus sharpness is where you focused on it. I had two failures with my 7000 and 70-300 broke lens. The lens focus couldn’t focus on the spot that I set and with the time the focus engine broke down. Later down the road in camera something broke and wouldn’t focus properly anymore.
Make sure your shutter speed is fast enough when you be on the field. When I updated to the 810 I realize that my shutter speed just wasn’t fast enough and some lenses like not exactly to focus where I have my focus point set on.

V2volk Loc: St. Louis area

Definitely the first place to look, shutter speed since it is likely F4. If that is the case the F2.8 would yield the ability for a faster shutter speed. Of course getting to 300 focal length would require a new lens and one faster than F4 would be $$. I used a 1.4 tele on my 70-200 2.8 but you definitely lose a stop thus slower assuming you can’t use any higher ISO for the conditions.

ELNikkor

Either shutter speed, or camera focus-speed/accuracy are probably reasons for lack of sharpness, not the lens itself.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Assuming adequate shutter speed, Focus speed and accuracy have a large influence on apparent sharpness in sports photography. Second might be ISO or how well your camera handles ISO .......being on an older crop frame body does not help in this regard.

The latest full frame Nikon 70-300 f mount lens is very well respected for sharpness and focus.......

photoman43

I think the lens you are describing is the Nikon 70-200mm f4G ED lens. I own it and the 70-200mm f2.8. Both are very sharp even at the lens' widest aperture.

The issues you may be having with your images may deal more with other settings and shooting technique than the lens itself. Make sure your shutter speed is high enough. For action shooting, start at 1/500 and go to 1/1000 sec depending on what you are shooting. And make sure you are focusing accurately and are using the correct AF settings. You need to shoot in bursts--set AF-C. Make sure your VR setting is correct for what you are shooting and how, like hand hed or on a tripod.

We need more info to provide better advice: Camera body used, etc.

delder Loc: Maryland

Service Photo is my recommendation for Maryland!
There you can actually TRY another lens.

Other comment:
Are you using a Tripod?
Do you try Manual Focus?

keywest305 Loc: Baltimore Md.

Just bought my Z9 at Service Photo. The sad part was I left my D850 there.

tcthome Loc: NJ

If you want to stick with a zoom of the same range, go to the 70-200 vrII. Prime 300mm 2.8 or f4 with vr would be next. What shutter speed are you shooting at & does your lens have vr? Upping your shutter speed might help but guessing you already know this. Happy hunting luck if you purchase another lens.

delder Loc: Maryland

Are you happy with the result?
Let us know.