Thread: Denver making big run at Rice (pre-trade threads merged)

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
Published September 1, 2007

TAMPA - Simeon Rice has narrowed his choices to the Rams and Broncos and could decide this weekend.

Rice said he passed a physical Friday in St. Louis and planned to visit the Broncos. The defensive end, 33, was released by the Bucs on July 26 after refusing to take a $2.5-million pay cut from his $7.25-million salary.

He failed his Bucs physical and needed a few weeks to fully recover from shoulder surgery.

"I could've pushed it," Rice said by phone from St. Louis. "But there was no reason to after what happened down there. I'm in a good place. I'm weighing all my options and stuff like that. Making sure all my ducks are in a row.

"It's a real good situation in St. Louis. I liked Denver as well. Their uniforms are off the chain. That's where I'm probably headed next."

Rice said the Bucs have remained in contact with his agent, Tom Condon. Defensive end Patrick Chukwurah has a knee injury and could miss several weeks. Although unlikely, Rice said he wouldn't rule out a return.

"I told my agent if we're going to be in the same situation moneywise, I'll just go back and play in Tampa," Rice said. "It's possible. It all depends. They're still calling."

It's no surprise the Rams would be interested in Rice. Their defensive coordinator is former Saints coach Jim Haslett. Rice has 16 sacks against the Saints, more than any other team.

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/09/01/Bu...Rams_or_.shtml

so the only reason he wants to come here is because "our uni's are off the chain?" :hmmmm2:

Originally Posted by DenBronx

so the only reason he wants to come here is because "our uni's are off the chain?" :hmmmm2:

I laughed at that too.

They are "Off the chain" fo sheezy!

At least we know he won't be a cancer: He likes the uniforms!

while i certainly wouldn't mind getting rice-- it would keep moss from getting extensive playing time, but it's also possible that the coaching staff feels he isn't ready-- i think we need help at DT even more. . . doesn't seem to be much help available there, though-- maybe someone will come up with all the cuts going on around the league. . .

I wouldn't mind having him, but I also wouldn't mind not signing him.

I like the direction we're headed with the younger D-Line, and younger team.

I don't feel like we need to sign a veteran at this point.

Originally Posted by RunYouOver

I wouldn't mind having him, but I also wouldn't mind not signing him.

I like the direction we're headed with the younger D-Line, and younger team.

I don't feel like we need to sign a veteran at this point.

I think he'd be great for the younger guys, teaching and mentoring them and such.

But he might take a chunk of their playing time as well, so it could be a double edge sword.

I dunno, with or without him, I'm excited about the guys we have.

Originally Posted by RunYouOver

I wouldn't mind having him, but I also wouldn't mind not signing him.

I like the direction we're headed with the younger D-Line, and younger team.

I don't feel like we need to sign a veteran at this point.

But when you think about it, Rice fits in with the D-line perfectly:

The players are either really young or really old....

And are one dimensional, they can only do one thing well....play the run or play the pass...

Engelberger is one of the few that is middle of the pack age wise, but he can only play the run well.

Adams is really old and can only play on run downs.

Burton is young and is a run down player.

Dumervil is young and is a pass rusher.

Crowder is young and is better against the run. He might be the most complete of the DE's.

Kennedy is like Eberger age wise, he's probably the most complete DT.

Thomas is young and we don't know what he'll be good at yet.

Moss is young but is better as a pass rusher right now.

These are the top 8 players on the D-line (Unless Shanahan pulls a Shanahan and cuts somebody he should be cutting).

Rice is really old an is somewhat one dimensional...

Originally Posted by dogfish

while i certainly wouldn't mind getting rice-- it would keep moss from getting extensive playing time, but it's also possible that the coaching staff feels he isn't ready-- i think we need help at DT even more. . . doesn't seem to be much help available there, though-- maybe someone will come up with all the cuts going on around the league. . .

I agree DT is a bigger concern in my opinion.

Originally Posted by TXBRONC

I agree DT is a bigger concern in my opinion.

Adams: Old!
Burton: Who?
McKinley: Brownco!
Thomas: A 4th round draft pick!
Gordon: Please!

This is pathetic.....

Originally Posted by Link

Adams: Old!
Burton: Who?
McKinley: Brownco!
Thomas: A 4th round draft pick!Gordon: Please!

This is pathetic.....

Thomas is a legitimate talent. Had he not been kick off UF football team, he was likely to go in the first round.

Originally Posted by TXBRONC

Thomas is a legitimate talent. Had he not been kick off UF football team, he was likely to go in the first round.

Yea, but isnt he a slasher type DT? A guy who likes to penetrate and disrupt blocks, not eat them up?

Bates likes the guys who clog holes with their big rear ends.

Originally Posted by Chidoze

Yea, but isnt he a slasher type DT? A guy who likes to penetrate and disrupt blocks, not eat them up?

Bates likes the guys who clog holes with their big rear ends.

That's what I understand, but I don't think Shanahan drafts him if Bates tells him this kid wont fit.

Originally Posted by TXBRONC

Thomas is a legitimate talent. Had he not been kick off UF football team, he was likely to go in the first round.

I agree with you....

I don't really want that guy here, because I'd rather see Dumervil and Moss get lots of PT.