Bucs sack riled Rice
Defensive end released after failing his physical and refusing a paycut. He vows to play again.
By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Published July 27, 2007
CELEBRATION - The Bucs say it was about his health. Simeon Rice says it was about his paycheck.
Either way, one of the most prolific pass rushers in Bucs history is just that. History.
Hours after the Bucs released Rice for failing a physical, the 33-year-old defensive end was still seething about the team's decision to end his six-year career in Tampa Bay.
"To be honest, the whole thing was just about the money," Rice said by telephone Thursday night. "That's all it was."
Rice, who is recovering from left shoulder surgery, was scheduled to earn $7.25-million this season.
General manager Bruce Allen admitted that Rice refused to take a pay cut to remain with the team. "He wasn't interested in that," Allen said.
Rice appeared in good spirits when he reported to training camp just before 4 p.m. Thursday and accompanied teammates from the Celebration Hotel to the training facility. In fact, coach Jon Gruden had pronounced the entire team healthy and ready to begin practice this morning at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.
But just a few hours later, the Bucs called an 8 p.m. news conference to announce Rice's release.
Allen said the Bucs could've placed Rice on the physically unable to perform list but worried his recovery may take longer than expected. Rice missed the final eight games last season, recording a career-low two sacks.
Rice, who was headed to Chicago late Thursday, vowed to return to action in about a month with another team.
"We roll with the punches, dog," Rice said. "You know I'll be back, with a vengeance and better than ever. I know they've got some big shoes to fill down there now."
Allen said it was only a coincidence that Rice's release came shortly after the team signed first-round pick Gaines Adams, Rice's heir apparent at right defensive end, to a six-year, $46-million contract.
"I know that's an easy addition formula to make," Allen said. "But they're really not related. Simeon's situation is separate from Gaines'. We saw Gaines as a talent in the draft. This move was not really related to that. Say Gaines didn't sign on time, Simeon wasn't going to play anyway."
Allen said the release of Rice will accelerate Adams' ability to improve as an NFL player. "We see Gaines as a part of our long-term future," Allen said. "For him to get more exposure is not a negative, it's a positive."
Whether Adams can replace one of the NFL's all-time great pass rushers remains to be seen. Rice has been an enormous force in the Bucs defense since signing as a free agent in 2001.
The 12th-year veteran ranks second in the NFL among active players with 121 career sacks.
However, Allen said he did expect Rice to recover in time to play this season.
"We anticipated and he anticipated being healthy coming to camp," Allen said of Rice. "We held him out of our offseason programs. I don't think it was any burden to him. He needs some more time to recover. Simeon agreed. He's going to get aggressive with it. He was very confident he has a lot of football left. I don't think the last chapter in Simeon Rice's career has been written."
Meanwhile, the pressure increased on the 24-year-old Adams to contribute quickly to a defense that recorded just 25 sacks last season in falling out of the top 10 for the first time in a decade.
"I just want to earn that respect from the coaching staff and the players," Adams said of his decision to sign in time for the first workout today.
"It's like coming to college. I don't know what to expect. I'm nervous. But the first day starts today. The most exciting part is knowing it's done and I'm here on the first day and at practice the first day."
Whenever Rice is cleared to play, he shouldn't have much trouble finding work. The Redskins, Lions and Bears could all have an interest in a pass rusher.
In six seasons with the Bucs, Rice was named to the Pro Bowl twice, in 2003 and 2004.
News of Rice's release stunned teammates.
"Shocker, eh?" punter Josh Bidwell said. "I'd better play well because nobody is safe. I'm as shocked as you are."
Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.Fast Facts:
Simeon Rice by the numbers
69 1/2 sacks as a Buc, third on the team's all-time list behind Lee Roy Selmon (781/2) and Warren Sapp (77).
15 1/2 sacks in 2002, second on the Bucs' single-season list behind Sapp (161/2).
4 sacks in one game (vs. Redskins in 2003), tied for the Bucs' franchise best with Marcus Jones (vs. Detroit, 2000).