Rice says he's the best in the NFL
LAKE BUENA VISTA -- Simeon Rice is not just pursuing quarterbacks, he is chasing history.
The Bucs defensive end said Monday he doesn't get enough credit for being the NFL's best pass rusher and believes he should've been nominated for the Defensive Player of the Year last season.
Rice is second among active players with 119 career sacks, just behind Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, who has 129.5 in 13 seasons. In the past four seasons, Rice's 56.5 sacks are the most of any player.
"For me, I'm the best in the game,'' Rice said. "They don't want to respect that. They don't like it. I'm the one they passed the torch to.
"Like it or love it, I'm the bar...there are some great players. But they're not me.''
Rice needs only 11.5 sacks to become the Bucs' all-time leader, passing Hall of Fame defensive end Lee Roy Selmon, who has 78.5.
Rice said while he respects Strahan, "He's still not me. Because if you look at what I've done in a shorter time, year after year, I don't have four sacks in a season. I don't get the praise and my just due.''
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SSimeon does not get the respect he deserves, in my opion. He is underrated. But he didn't have to cheat, like Strahan did, with the cooperation of Brett Farve, so knock Strahan out 1st place, Sim!!!!!!, the old fashioned way, cause you deserve it!!!
Posted by: Ginger Wielk | August 02, 2006 at 10:14 AM
I think Simeon Rice is underrated and that he is one of the best defensive players ever. You never hear about how important to the Bucs he is just over and over about Cadillac through no fault of his own and he is a good player. Gruden etc., gag me with their worship of some players and no mention of the others that are great.
Pat Terpack , Clearwater, Fl.
Posted by: pat terpack | August 02, 2006 at 02:50 PM
What a punk crybaby....Simeon makes 9 million a year....is that not enough respect....what a jerk
Posted by: Gman | August 04, 2006 at 08:12 AM
I love these guys who say they don't get enough credit. You don't get credit, you earn it. As for Rice, I haven't seen in http://www.rankopedia.com's ranking for Best NFL player ever.
Posted by: Mike | January 20, 2007 at 04:27 PM