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NFL rejects Bucs' deal for Rice

The structure of the 5-year, $34-million contract causes the problem. Also, Gooch trade is off after he fails Rams physical.

By RICK STROUD

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 23, 2001

TAMPA -- Simeon Rice is eager to join the Bucs' fierce pass rush. But the NFL successfully blocked him from doing so Thursday.

Rice, the Cardinals' free-agent defensive end, reached an agreement in principle with the Bucs on a five-year, $34-million deal.

But because the NFL Management Council rejected elements of the contract, Rice has not signed with the team and talks could continue today, according to club officials.

That wasn't the Bucs only roster move to hit a roadblock. The trade of Jeff Gooch to the Rams was rescinded when the linebacker failed his physical. Gooch, who had groin surgery in January, has not healed properly and is back on the Bucs roster for now.

With Rice, apparently at issue is the structure of the contract, which includes no signing bonus and a 2001 base salary of $1-million.

The agreement also stipulates that the Bucs would have to commit more than $8-million next season if the club opts to retain him.

Rice and his agent remained in Tampa on Thursday night and an announcement could come today.

"Nothing's been signed," said Reggie Roberts, Bucs direction of communications. "There is not an agreement."

Under terms of the disputed contract, Rice reportedly would receive a base salary of $2.5-million and a roster bonus of $2-million in 2002. The Bucs also would have to exercise a $4-million option on the remaining years of his contract.

If Tampa Bay decided not to exercise the option, Rice would receive the $4-million buyout and re-enter the free-agent pool.

But the league's management council apparently had issues with the salary-cap implications of contract structure.

Rice, 27, has averaged more than 10 sacks in his five seasons -- including a career-high 161/2 in '99 -- and would provide a dominating outside pass rusher to complement the inside presence of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Warren Sapp.

He is expected to start at right defensive end for the Bucs with Marcus Jones moving to the left side. Defensive Chidi Ahanotu, who produced just 31/2 of the team record 55 sacks last season, is expected to be released eventually.

At 30, Ahanotu's $5.33-million salary cap figure in 2001 might be too pricey to carry him as a backup in his ninth pro season.

Signing Rice has been a priority for the Bucs since he visited March 5. But the third overall pick in the '96 draft also was pursued by the Giants and Bears.

When the Giants opted to sign Titans defensive end Kenny Holmes, Rice's agent, Roosevelt Barnes, began seeking a one-year deal with Tampa Bay that would enable Rice to re-enter the free-agent market in 2002.

The Bucs insisted, however, on having an option to tether Rice to a long-term deal and they thought they had accomplished both with the agreement struck Thursday.

The Bucs thought they had made two significant moves this week to clear room under the salary cap for Rice.

Monday, Tampa Bay traded Gooch for a fifth-round pick, clearing out $800,000. The deal was contingent on Gooch passing a physical, but Bucs officials were not surprised he didn't. Three weeks ago, the club informed Gooch of its plans to release him, but was unable to do so because he could not pass a physical with Tampa Bay physicians.

"The trade is off," Rams coach Mike Martz said. Gooch was hit with a helmet late in the season and had surgery in January. There still is a gap in the bone.

Even with the rescinded trade, the Bucs have enough money to sign Rice. Monday, the club restructured its three-year, $10-million contract with quarterback Ryan Leaf, lowering his cap figure in 2001 from $2.8-million to $1.1-million.

Rice, an All-America linebacker at Illinois, has been a starter since his rookie season and compiled 511/2 sacks. Although widely criticized for his lack of effort against the run, Rice has 220 career tackles and produced impressive numbers despite playing for a Cardinals franchise that has enjoyed just one winning season during his career.

Rice's addition would give the Bucs four first-round picks on the defensive line, Sapp, Jones and tackle Anthony McFarland.

The signing of Rice would continue a busy and expensive off-season for the Bucs, who signed Redskins free-agent quarterback Brad Johnson to a five-year, $28-million contract three days after acquiring Leaf off waivers from San Diego.

Despite those moves, the Bucs have manipulated the structure of their new contracts to remain suitably below the $67.4-million salary cap. Even if they sign Rice, the Bucs believe they have enough resources to re-sign free-agent tackle Jerry Wunsch and cornerback Ronde Barber, as well as their 10 draft picks.

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