Simeon Rice is Done

Defensive end Simeon Rice's season is over.

As expected, the three-time Pro Bowl selection was placed on the injured reserve list Wednesday, from which he cannot be activated for the remainder of the season.

Rice told the Times for Monday's editions he planned to have surgery on his sore shoulder because doctors have told him it is the best way to resolve the pain from bone chips in the joint.

Rice missed the past two games, his first because of injury in his 11-year career.

Now, the question during the offseason is whether the Bucs will be willing to pay Rice the $7.25-million in base salary he is due for 2007. The team's ability to retain free-agent-to-be Dewayne White, who will play in Rice's place, could have a significant bearing on that decision.

Rice's age could be a factor, too. He will be 33 when the 2007 season begins and will be coming off the least productive season of his career. Rice finishes 2006 with 21 tackles, a career-low two sacks and four forced fumbles in eight games.

Comments

[Mike T]

I believe it's wise to weigh all the pros and cons before making a decision on either Rice or White. Yes, White has played stellar in place of Rice. But it IS a contract season. Does anyone remember Marcus Jones? His 13-sack season came in a contract year, and he did little afterwards.

[Frank]

Much of the defense needs to be re-tooled, especially the secondary.

They need to start thinking about who is going to replace Simeon Rice, Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles, and Ronde Barber.

I think Dewayne White has done good replacing Simeon and Barrett Ruud has done good replacing Shelton. But where is another LB of the same caliber as Derrick Brooks going to come from?

[Chet]

I'm not sold on any of the defensive players. Brooks has looked old all year and Quarles hasn't been able to drop back in coverage (like he used to) for years now. The lack of a front 4 pass rush has made Rhonde look average at times as teams are able to run by as they now have time to look at their options when passing.

The loss of Marinelli has been the biggest offseason loss for this team and the Bucs are going to regret this past years blocking of coaches to interview (Joe Barry) of other teams this year.

Can Management finally make a decsion on Bill Muir and relieve him of his duties? It's been more then a few years now and he's instilled no toughness in the offensive line. It's constantly a bunch of "softies" or unprovens. He's had plenty of time to mold Wade, Buenning and Davis into a mean set of road graders and I'm concerned that both Joseph and Trueblood will waste under him.

Most teams just go with one OL coach, but the Bucs have two (Strommer as well) and still cannot improve upon the starting postions. They've had time with them, too much and it's just a matter of time until another QB gets hurt because of their poor play.

This hasn't helped Carnell either. I'm sure he's part of the issue as well, what happened to his elusiveness? 3 yards and a cloud of dust now.

At receiver, can the real Michael Clayton come back? This guy has dropped to the level of Reidel Anthony, can he hold onto the ball? Let alone get off his defender?

All those draft picks used for offense and what do the Bucs have to show for it? One of the worse offenses in football and an over-the-hill defense.

It made me laugh when the Bucs were thinking of trading Brian Kelly before/during his injury, he and Barber were the only ones keeping this team from being burned deep on regular occasion. Now with him out, they get beat regularly and Barber is getting the brunt of it.

Lets hope after Gruden leaves us, there is a quality coach available and he likes defense and "pounding the rock".