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With the table set, Rice pulls up a chair

Contract trouble solved, the defensive end signs a five-year deal with the Bucs.

By RICK STROUD

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 24, 2001

[Times photo: Toni L. Sandys] "I think it's going to take this defense to heavenly heights," Simeon Rice says.

TAMPA -- As tuxedoed waiters at Armani's watched in amusement during a dinner in Tampa two weeks ago, Bucs defensive line coach Rod Marinelli used sugar packets, knives, forks and spoons to illustrate the array of stunts and pass rushes Simeon Rice would be part of if he signed with the Bucs.

Rice's eyes grew as big as saucers.

New York still beaconed with bright lights. Chicago was home. But Tampa Bay? Well, the table was already set for him.

So Friday, Rice, a 27-year-old free agent, became the fourth first-round pick to join the Bucs' imposing defensive line.

"It scores on so many dimensions," Rice said after signing a five-year, $34-million contract that includes no signing bonus and a $1-million salary this season. "Here's a situation that's like a hand and glove to me. ... The hand being me, the glove being them. It's a perfect fit."

So intent on joining the Bucs was Rice that he probably left a lot of money on that table at Armani's.

Rice took a pay cut of more than $4-million from what he earned last season with the Cardinals to become part of a defensive line that includes first-rounders Warren Sapp, Anthony McFarland and Marcus Jones.

The Bucs will commit more than $8-million in 2002 if they opt to retain Rice, and they own the option on his contract for 2003, 2004 and 2005.

"It's a two-year firm contract with a three-year option," director of football administration John Idzik said.

The Bucs and Rice were close to an agreement Thursday, but the team had questions about the deal's salary implications and had to wait for an interpretation from the NFL Management Council. Idzik said the league never rejected the contract.

"You want to make sure you have an accurate understanding of the league's standpoint," Idzik said.

Rice becomes the third high-priced player to take less money this off-season to play for the Bucs.

The team upgraded at quarterback by signing Redskins free agent Brad Johnson to a five-year, $28-million contract and claimed Ryan Leaf off waivers, restructuring the three remaining years on his deal to create more salary-cap room.

Rice will play at right defensive end. Jones, who had 13 sacks last season, will move to the left side.

The Bucs are expected to release defensive end Chidi Ahanotu, a ninth-year pro who would count more than $5-million against the salary cap this season. But they may opt to wait until after June 1, when some of Ahanotu's accelerated signing bonus can be carried over to next season. In the meantime, the Bucs probably would allow Ahanotu to talk with other teams.

Ahanotu said Friday he had not spoken with team officials since the end of the season and expected to play for the Bucs this season. He also is not conceding his starting job.

"I'm still on the team," said Ahanotu, who had 31/2 of the club-record 55 sacks in 2000. "No one has told me anything, and everyone is pretty much premature in their thinking. Since the first time I came to Tampa, they've been trying to replace me. But competition is good. "You can't start talking in March about me sitting on the bench. It's a long way away. When last I checked, I was still a starter. May the best man win. ... Anyway, Simeon Rice is a right end. I'm a left end. The question is, can Marcus beat me out?"

Ahanotu or no Ahanotu, Rice makes the Bucs better. He has averaged more than 10 sacks for five seasons, including a career-high 161/2 in '99.

"I think the more balanced you are, the better each guy is," defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "We never had the pure speed rusher on the outside at right defensive end. So you put (Rice) out there and make that left tackle turn out, that leaves that left guard more man-to-man on Warren Sapp.

"If (opponents) want to chip on Simeon and now they want to double Warren, Marcus is single on the other side. If they want to double McFarland, then Marcus is singled."

That's why Rice scoffs at the notion he is taking a big risk.

"It's a gamble from my perspective, but I control me," Rice said. "A lot of people can say this, that and the other. But for me, I've been solid throughout my career. I'm in a situation that's better.

"Now I'm in a situation where I can really blossom and get into the genius of my game. I'm not coming in here to change anything. I'm coming in here to reinforce what's already here. ... I think it's going to take this defense to heavenly heights.

"In my mind, this is a Super Bowl team. That's the mentality around here. I've always looked at myself as a championship player with a lot of flawed teams. So it's not a gamble at all."

GOOCH UPDATE: Coach Tony Dungy said the team informed the Rams that linebacker Jeff Gooch had surgery on his groin before dealing him for a fifth-round draft pick. The trade was rescinded Thursday after Gooch failed a physical in St. Louis.

"They were aware of his surgery," Dungy said. "Obviously, maybe they weren't aware of where he was in his rehab process. I think we were up front with them in letting them know in our minds, he'd be ready to play when the season started."

The Bucs were looking to dump Gooch's $800,000 salary-cap figure. But Dungy said it is possible Gooch will recover and play for the Bucs.

"If he ends up playing for us, we're happy with that," Dungy said. "We felt going in, (the Rams) really wanted him and it would give him a chance to play and he might be a starter. We get a young player with the draft choice. We thought it would be a win-win situation. We're happy to have (Gooch). So if he ends up being with us, it'll be great."

- Staff writer Roger Mills contributed to this report.

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