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View Full Version : Simeon Rice officially a Bronco (merged)



BroncoWave
09-03-2007, 05:19 PM
Just reported on ESPNEWS!!! WOO-HOO!!!

Devilspawn
09-03-2007, 05:20 PM
Congrats Donkeys. Len Pasquasomething just reported it.

Lonestar
09-03-2007, 05:21 PM
Just reported on ESPNEWS!!! WOO-HOO!!!


there goes the neighborhood.

SR
09-03-2007, 05:24 PM
Wow. I'm not sure if I like that or not just yet. :tsk:

ChampWJ
09-03-2007, 05:26 PM
Wooohooo!!! I wonder who will get cut.

I was not a big supporter of this at first, but it definitely grew on me lately. Good job Shanny!

DenBronx
09-03-2007, 05:28 PM
good pick up for us. rice has ALWAYS been solid. he will come much much cheaper than kerney would have. plus rice is glad to be a bronco, playing with his old teammates and sporting the awesome uni! :beer:

ChampWJ
09-03-2007, 05:29 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3003148

Here's the link!

DenBronx
09-03-2007, 05:34 PM
im pretty happy about this move. i think he will be more of an impact then bly...flame at me if you want but i think rice can bring the heat on a qb. i dont think ill be so nervous next time we face the colts.

Lonestar
09-03-2007, 05:37 PM
Broncos agree to terms with free agent Simeon RiceBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: September 3, 2007, 6:28 PM ET
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Free-agent defensive end Simeon Rice, one of the few potential impact players remaining in free agency and a guy who enters 2007 as the second-leading active sacker in the league, reached a contract agreement with the Denver Broncos on Monday evening.

Rice, 33, arrived in Denver on Sunday, dined that evening with team officials, and then chose the Broncos' contract offer over the proposal the St. Louis Rams submitted. Details of the contract, which came after a day of negotiations, were not immediately available.

The addition of Rice, who was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the outset of training camp in July, continues the near-wholesale overhaul of the Denver defensive line. Even before adding Rice, the Broncos were projected to have four new defensive line starters. Only two of the defensive linemen who dressed for Denver in the 2006 season opener remain on the active roster.

It is not yet known if Rice will play in Denver's season opener at Buffalo on Sunday, but he left little doubt that he wants to suit up.

"I'm anxious to play," Rice said. "It's what I do. I'm not [accustomed] to sitting around."

An 11-year veteran, Rice should provide the Broncos with the upfield pass-rush threat the team has lacked for the last several seasons. Denver had 35 sacks in 2006, slightly below the NFL average of 36.3, and its top sacker was then-rookie Elvis Dumervil, with 8½. The Broncos haven't had a player with double-digit sacks since end Reggie Hayward recorded 10½ in 2004.

Rice has posted eight seasons with 10 or more sacks and only four players in league history have more double-digit sack years than him. He had a string of five straight double-digit sack seasons snapped last year, when a shoulder injury limited him to eight appearances and two sacks, both career lows. Rice is 13th on the all-time sack list and needs eight to move into the top 10 in NFL history.

There have been questions since Rice's release about the status of his left shoulder, which required surgery in the offseason, and most teams with whom he visited administered a physical examination. The Rams even put Rice through a short workout of sorts, which included a weightlifting session.

Rice also visited with the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans after his release.

Before the shoulder injury, Rice never missed a game because of injury in his first 10 NFL seasons. The former University of Illinois star has played in 166 games, 160 as a starter, and has 460 tackles, 35 forced fumbles, eight recoveries, five interceptions and 51 pass deflections.

He was a first-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 1996, then signed with the Bucs as an unrestricted free agent in 2001.

Rice's departure from Tampa Bay was a controversial one. Team officials allowed him to report to camp, then announced he had failed his physical exam. Rice insisted the divorce from the Bucs, where he was scheduled to have a base salary of $7.25 million in 2007 and a salary cap charge of more than $10 million, was financially motivated.

The release came, Rice said, after he rejected a proposed salary reduction of $2.5 million.

"Everybody knows it was a money thing," Rice said.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com


Lets hope it is not just a money thing in DEN

Krugan
09-03-2007, 05:39 PM
Well as far as a proven pass rusher, he is. Although he is, yet again, another old player signed to a contract that isnt truely a long term fix.

I dont think DE was our trouble, but DT. I guess we shall see if Rice can stand up his words.

I dont have the exact quote, but he seems to think he can be the catalist to pushing the Broncos to the Bowl.

topscribe
09-03-2007, 05:43 PM
Well as far as a proven pass rusher, he is. Although he is, yet again, another old player signed to a contract that isnt truely a long term fix.

I dont think DE was our trouble, but DT. I guess we shall see if Rice can stand up his words.

I dont have the exact quote, but he seems to think he can be the catalist to pushing the Broncos to the Bowl.
Likewise, I'm not too sure of this. It seemed to me the DEs didn't have
extraordinary problems rushing the passer. It seemed to me the problem was
lack of push in the middle.

But, oh well, I can only hope they know what they're doing.

-----

Simple Jaded
09-03-2007, 05:52 PM
Signing Rice is nice, but it's hardly a long term fix. I'm glad they signed the guy, he can help if he's healthy.

But like the article says, durability wasn't an issue til last season.

The Broncos needed Rices pass rushing, the pass rush was still bad in the preseason. Although, like Top just stated, the push from inside looked even worse, and Tommie Harris/Shaun Rogers ain't walking through that door. :D

I don't think Rice is a cure-all, but it's a huge boost....

RunYouOver
09-03-2007, 05:54 PM
Alright.

I won't be ecstatic until I see something on the field.

But I'm not upset...yet.

I just have to see

A) Who's starting place he's taking (I hope not Dumervils!)

B) How much.

Devilspawn
09-03-2007, 06:05 PM
Well I'll be shocked if you get the Arizona Cardinal Rice, or even the Tampa Bay Buc Rice. Compared to us getting Sapp and how Sapp played last year, Rice could equal that feat for the next couple years barring injury. But his BEAST days from Weeks 1-17 are over IMO, but he can be one for half the season.

TXBRONC
09-03-2007, 06:07 PM
Signing Rice is nice, but it's hardly a long term fix. I'm glad they signed the guy, he can help if he's healthy.

But like the article says, durability wasn't an issue til last season.

The Broncos needed Rices pass rushing, the pass rush was still bad in the preseason. Although, like Top just stated, the push from inside looked even worse, and Tommie Harris/Shaun Rogers ain't walking through that door. :D

I don't think Rice is a cure-all, but it's a huge boost....


I agree he is stop gap (that's not a complaint guys).

Skinny
09-03-2007, 06:27 PM
According to ESPN.com's John Clayton, Rice's deal with the Broncos is for one year and $3 million. He accepted the terms once the Broncos decided to guarantee the contract. Along with the $3 million, the Broncos gave him the chance to make another $1 million through performance-based incentives.Damn!

Must be the water in Denver! That's peanuts for Rice!

I remember Neil Smith was'nt exactly a spring chicken when we inked him in 97'.

If Rice does his job, i could care less if he's here 1 year or not. At least the younger DEs will get some time to learn, settle in, and gain some experiance from a proven pass rusher.

This makes our secondary that much better IMO.

TXBRONC
09-03-2007, 06:30 PM
Damn!

Must be the water in Denver! That's peanuts for Rice!

I remember Neil Smith was'nt exactly a spring chicken when we inked him in 97'.

If Rice does his job, i could care less if he's here 1 year or not. At least the younger DEs will get some time to learn, settle in, and gain some experiance from a proven pass rusher.

This makes our secondary that much better IMO.

Very few things in football surprise me, but this one does a little. I would have never thought that Rice would sign for one year.

Calibroncogrl47
09-03-2007, 06:31 PM
Yipeeeee.. I think this may be an instant inprovement on our D!.. Hopefully he stays healthy and continues to play at a pro bowl level..(I'm sure he will)

I'm even more stoked about the season now.. and I didnt think that was possible!:salute:

Watchthemiddle
09-03-2007, 06:32 PM
Very few things in football surprise me, but this one does a little. I would have never thought that Rice would sign for one year.

Me either. As a matter of fact, I was thinking a 3-4 or 5 year deal with a substantial signing bonus and about 4-5 Mil a year.

So did we get a good deal with this?

Simple Jaded
09-03-2007, 06:38 PM
Very few things in football surprise me, but this one does a little. I would have never thought that Rice would sign for one year.


This deal is a lot like the 1st deal he got in TB, TX.

When he went from the Cards to the Bucs he only got a one year deal at first, signing the deal he hd up til now after he proved he could be more than a pass rusher.

While I agree that at this stage of his career it's surprising he would sign a one year deal, it's not out of his character to take a chance on a one year contract.

This is a good deal for Denver, imo, hats off to Shanahan......

topscribe
09-03-2007, 07:42 PM
Damn!

Must be the water in Denver! That's peanuts for Rice!

I remember Neil Smith was'nt exactly a spring chicken when we inked him in 97'.

If Rice does his job, i could care less if he's here 1 year or not. At least the younger DEs will get some time to learn, settle in, and gain some experiance from a proven pass rusher.

This makes our secondary that much better IMO.
Seems to indicate that more than money was involved in TB, doesn't it?
According to reports, he was scheduled to make $7 million, and they
wanted to shave it by $2.5 million. That leaves a difference of $4.5 million.
That is still substantially more than these figures. Why is he coming here
for less when he became unhappy with more? :confused:

-----

TXBRONC
09-03-2007, 08:00 PM
Me either. As a matter of fact, I was thinking a 3-4 or 5 year deal with a substantial signing bonus and about 4-5 Mil a year.

So did we get a good deal with this?

What do you think? I'm not sure we'll really know until much later in the season. I suppose if he hits double digit sacks then it will have been worth it.

Nomad
09-03-2007, 08:03 PM
WOW! That was quick! I guess he had his mind made up before he arrived here. I hope he does well and finds new life here at Denver and gives the D-line a big boost. I know he will add great leadership to the young D out there.

broncosfanscott
09-03-2007, 08:20 PM
WOW! That was quick! I guess he had his mind made up before he arrived here. I hope he does well and finds new life here at Denver and gives the D-line a big boost. I know he will add great leadership to the young D out there.

Quick is right. I guess the Broncos new what they wanted and Rice wanted to be in Denver. I think he will be a big assest to the D-line and I hope he helps us get that push up the middle that we need. I just hope he doesn't limit the time Ekuban is in there, which brings to mind........whose spot will he be taking.

TXBRONC
09-03-2007, 08:24 PM
Quick is right. I guess the Broncos new what they wanted and Rice wanted to be in Denver. I think he will be a big assest to the D-line and I hope he helps us get that push up the middle that we need. I just hope he doesn't limit the time Ekuban is in there, which brings to mind........whose spot will he be taking.


It had to be the uniforms. ;)

CHARLIEADAMSFAN
09-03-2007, 08:29 PM
i like the move it adds a veteran to our young group of DEs with Lang cut and Ekuban hurt

broncosfanscott
09-03-2007, 08:35 PM
It had to be the uniforms. ;)

I know......they are sick aren't they.:cool:

Skinny
09-03-2007, 09:56 PM
Another peice on Rice with some pretty nice quotes from Lynch and others.

Broncos sign pass-rusher Rice

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - Nobody's more excited about Denver's signing of free agent sacks specialist Simeon Rice than Broncos safety John Lynch.

The two won a Super Bowl together in Tampa Bay in 2002, and both believe this reunion in the Rockies could lead to a second ring.

"He's a teammate who I loved playing with and one of the great pass-rushers of all-time. So, we'd be - anyone would be - fortunate to get him," Lynch said Monday while the sides were signing the one-year deal at Broncos headquarters.

Rice, whose 121 career sacks rank second to Michael Strahan among active players, was released by Tampa Bay this summer after the Buccaneers signed first-round draft pick Gaines Adams.

Rice had failed a physical earlier in the day after reporting to camp, but has since passed his medical tests. The 33-year-old started the first eight games last year before being sidelined by a shoulder injury.

Lynch said Rice told him he was fine: "He told me his shoulder's feeling good and he feels like he's ready to play."

Coach Mike Shanahan courted Rice, who ranks 13th all-time in sacks, to bring experience and pressure to a young defensive line.

"He's a big-time pass rusher, he's been in the league for a while, he's got a lot of talent," Shanahan said.

And he'll be expected to lead by example when it comes to showing the Broncos' rookie class of Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder and Marcus Thomas the NFL ropes.

"This was a big signing for us this late in the process of putting together the 53-man roster prior to open weekend," general manger Ted Sundquist told The Associated Press. "I think our scheme will open things up on the edge for him and allow him to use his physical tools to rush the passer. He can be at times flat dominant and give opposing offensive tackles fits with his length and speed."

Rice's "big playmaking ability and leadership will be a huge asset to our defense. I also feel our young defensive ends will gain a lot from being around this player," Sundquist said.

Strahan, among others, has been critical of Rice in recent years, claiming that he gets sacks but doesn't play the run well, something Lynch said was an overstated observation.

"He's a terrific football player all-around. A lot of people like to give him a hard time about his run defense. It doesn't always look pretty, but he gets the job done," Lynch said. "He and Strahan are right there in terms of sacks.

"And the thing I always loved about Simeon is his sacks came in big times. Fourth-quarter, third downs, fourth downs. He's just got a flair for the dramatic. When your team needs a play, he makes it," Lynch said. "He's one of the great ones ever at stripping the ball. He doesn't just sack the quarterback."

The Broncos are loaded with youth along the defensive line, where they are led by veteran John Engelberger and two free agents; the three rookies; two players with just a year's experience; one with two years in the league; and one who's been suspended for the first month of the season.

They lost Ebenezer Ekuban for the season to an Achilles' tendon injury and jettisoned starters Gerard Warren and Kenard Lang last month.

While the contract was being completed, Moss said he would welcome the addition of Rice even though it would undoubtedly cut into his playing time as a rookie.

"There would be no envy or jealousy," said Moss, the Broncos' first-round draft pick out of Florida. "I think it would be a great situation for him and a great opportunity for me to get the chance to learn from a Hall of Fame-caliber defensive end. I can't think of one negative."

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7187080

BigBroncLove
09-03-2007, 09:59 PM
Very interesting development. If it had been a multi-year, major multi million dolalr contract, I would have been very luke warm about this, but this is a huge turn of events in the Broncos favor IMO.

Rice obviously likes the Broncos organization at the moment. He wouldn;t have taken, what appaears to me, to be a major pay cut if he wasn't excited about the prospects with the Denver organization. MEanwhile, Denver signed him to only a one year contract, which gives both sides the baility to feel the other out. In the mean time Denver can see if Rice is still performing to his previous form, and Rice gets the ability to prove himself, not only to Denver, but to likely suitors next year.

It gives the Bronco FO the ability to wait till next year to lock him in, if he indeed is still the monster he has been in previous seasons, and also gives them the ability to part ways next year if infact he doesn't work out, with zero pay cut.

It's a perfect situation allowing Denver to reap the rewards from a great performance by Rice, and cut it's ties with zero loss next year otherwise. Meanwhile, we get an excellent veteran who can help teach the rookies and more then likely a huge upgrade in reliability at RDE (where Rice is not a huge run stuffer, that is not the DE's place in Bates Scheme, and there is no doubt he has mroe experience and success against the Run then either Duemrvile or Moss).

I love it. I'll be taking my hat off to Shanny, Sandquist, and company for what appears to me to be a huge step forward :beer:

Az Snake
09-03-2007, 10:02 PM
Now that he is a Bronco, I hope he plays well.

I've followed his career ever since he was drafted out of the University of Illinois.

If he regains dominance as a pass rusher, he may force a double team which could open a rush lane for another Bronco.

Good luck Simeon !

Play like a Bronco !!!




.

SM19
09-03-2007, 10:06 PM
I'm ecstatic.

Sure, Rice was hampered by injuries last year. But the year before that? 14 sacks. There's nothing to suggest that age is slowing him down. And he may not be brilliant against the run, but let's face it, our best run-support end is John Engleberger. You might be able to argue that Engleberger's better against the run than Rice, but I wouldn't want to try it. This is a tremendous upgrade, and we'll finally have someone on our line who absolutely must be double-teamed.

Watchthemiddle
09-03-2007, 11:38 PM
I'm ecstatic.

Sure, Rice was hampered by injuries last year. But the year before that? 14 sacks. There's nothing to suggest that age is slowing him down. And he may not be brilliant against the run, but let's face it, our best run-support end is John Engleberger. You might be able to argue that Engleberger's better against the run than Rice, but I wouldn't want to try it. This is a tremendous upgrade, and we'll finally have someone on our line who absolutely must be double-teamed.


I seem to remember our own team passing on a DE that was coming off of an injury and thought he was past his prime or getting old and he now plays pretty well for the Ravens.

Trevor Pryce.

Hopefully Rice works out the same way for us.

BigBroncLove
09-03-2007, 11:42 PM
I seem to remember our own team passing on a DE that was coming off of an injury and thought he was past his prime or getting old and he now plays pretty well for the Ravens.

Trevor Pryce.

Hopefully Rice works out the same way for us.

I don't think anyone with the Broncos ever felt Pryce was past his prime, or an injury problem. Infact the Broncos stuck with Pryce through his season ending injury (in what wasit, 2004?). The problem with Pryce was money. He wanted tons of it, and the Broncos couldn;t settle the deal with him. I still believe Pryce would be a Bronco if monetary issues hadn't arose. To boot though, Pryce did complain regualrly that Coyers system did not utilize his skills as a DE whatsoever, where he was asked to play a two gap system instead of being the pass rusher/run stuffer he is....

TXBRONC
09-04-2007, 08:13 AM
I don't think anyone with the Broncos ever felt Pryce was past his prime, or an injury problem. Infact the Broncos stuck with Pryce through his season ending injury (in what wasit, 2004?). The problem with Pryce was money. He wanted tons of it, and the Broncos couldn;t settle the deal with him. I still believe Pryce would be a Bronco if monetary issues hadn't arose. To boot though, Pryce did complain regualrly that Coyers system did not utilize his skills as a DE whatsoever, where he was asked to play a two gap system instead of being the pass rusher/run stuffer he is....



They asked him to take a pay cut and he refused.

And I would have to say now that Pryce's complaints were warranted concerning Coyer's defensive system, it obviously didn't utilize his talents to the fullest.

Rick
09-04-2007, 09:31 AM
Being a run stuffing end in this system isn't a requirement anyway. His job in Bates system is to look for the QB first and while on the run, grab for the RB if he happens to have the ball.

So Rice perfectly fits this system as does Elvis. The Big dudes in the middle and the LBs are to take care of the run. Now to this point they have not done THEIR job, but that does not say we must change the system for the ends, they can still sprint to the QB.

In that regard Rice has always been one of the best at.

TXBRONC
09-04-2007, 09:36 AM
Being a run stuffing end in this system isn't a requirement anyway. His job in Bates system is to look for the QB first and while on the run, grab for the RB if he happens to have the ball.

So Rice perfectly fits this system as does Elvis. The Big dudes in the middle and the LBs are to take care of the run. Now to this point they have not done THEIR job, but that does not say we must change the system for the ends, they can still sprint to the QB.

In that regard Rice has always been one of the best at.

I would say that exactly, the DE first priority may not be the run, but still are responsible to force the runningback back to the middle.

BigBroncLove
09-04-2007, 04:00 PM
They asked him to take a pay cut and he refused.

And I would have to say now that Pryce's complaints were warranted concerning Coyer's defensive system, it obviously didn't utilize his talents to the fullest.

I agree completely. Initially I thought Pryce's demands for salary were far to large, but seeing how contracts look these days, the Broncos should of bit the bullet and kept him in. However, as things progressed, sometimes it's better to part ways with a disgruntled player, because at a certien point, it seemed as if, even if they did kiss and makeup, it wouldn't of been to th betterment of the team morale.

After all part of the reason Rice signed is becuase of how happy the players are here, and the class of the organization....

weazel
03-23-2009, 11:43 PM
I think this is a good signing, he may be able to do some great things here!












LOL

EMB6903
03-23-2009, 11:48 PM
2 useless threads today?

welcome to ignore my man... have a good one

ikillz0mbies
03-23-2009, 11:48 PM
Hahaha. Rice will help this team more than Julius Peppers ever could.

bullis26
03-23-2009, 11:49 PM
why did we sign this guy over kerney? i knew all along kerney would be the better signing by far too...... but i atleast though rice would do alittle something

GEM
03-23-2009, 11:50 PM
Can we stop bumping 1 & 2 year old threads. Thanks.