Rice rejoins Lynch in Denver

The former Buc hopes to help bolster the Broncos D-Line.

By RICK STROUD AND JOANNE KORTH
Published September 4, 2007

Simeon Rice joins another former Buccaneer, safety John Lynch, in Denver. Rice has 121 career sacks, second most among active players.
	[Times photo: Bill Serne]

BY RICK STROUD

and JOANNE KORTH

Times Staff Writers

The altitude has really helped Simeon Rice's attitude.

Rice, 33, signed a one-year contract Monday with Denver, believed to be worth $3-million guaranteed with a chance to earn another $1-million in incentives.

That's slightly less than the defensive end turned down to remain with the Bucs. He failed a physical with Tampa Bay on July 26. When he refused to take a $2.5-million cut from his $7.25-million salary, Rice was released.

Rice chose the Broncos over the Rams. There were questions about the health of his shoulder after season-ending surgery in 2006, but Rice passed a physical for the Rams and the Broncos.

Rice will be reunited with another Bucs castoff, safety John Lynch, who has been named to three straight Pro Bowls since being released by Tampa Bay.

"This team is special,"' Rice said. "It's a special situation. I've never been around a place like this. John (Lynch) loves it here. It's special, man. Talked to (defensive tackle) Sam Adams and everybody is excited. He said, 'First of all, we need you. We want you.' It's especially cool because of the opportunity to come in here and do what you do and get off. These cats will love it."

Said Lynch: "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.

"And the thing I always loved about Simeon is his sacks came in big times. Fourth-quarter, third downs, fourth downs. When your team needs a play, he makes it."

Rice will return to his role as starting right defensive end playing opposite John Engelberger or Elvis Dumervil. Top picks Jarvis Moss of Florida and Tim Crowder also are expected to play. The Rams had looked at Rice as a possible third-down pass rusher.

Rice's agent, Tom Condon, had been in contact with the Bucs. But Rice said team officials indicated they didn't want him back because of derogatory comments he made toward coach Jon Gruden after his release.

Rice has 121 career sacks, second most among active players. He suffered a shoulder injury last season and had a career-low two sacks in eight games.

PATIENT PRO: Everyone is counting down the days to the start of the regular season Sunday, but veteran linebacker Derrick Brooks doesn't want to wish the week away. What more could a player entering his 12th season possibly gain from two or three practices? "If you start rushing things, as a veteran player it's a trap to think you know it all and to think you've got it," he said. "I hope not to put myself in that mental trap."

AYE-AYE, CAPTAIN: The Bucs picked their captains for 2007: On offense, quarterback Jeff Garcia and guard Davin Joseph; on defense, Brooks, cornerback Ronde Barber and tackle Chris Hovan. The team will not have a special teams captain as it has in the past.

[Last modified September 3, 2007, 23:44:53]