Rice passes physical with Andrews

Defensive end Simeon Rice, released by the Bucs for failing a physical, said he passed a battery of exams administered by renowned orthopedist Dr. James  Andrews in Pensacola last weekend and has been cleared to play this season.

"With flying colors," Rice said by telephone Tuesday.

Rice said in addition to a physical exam, Andrews performed X-rays and an MRI on his surgically repaired left shoulder.

"It was all 100 percent," Rice said. "Dr. Andrews said, 'What kind of physical did you take down there?' I told him they just checked for my mobility in the shoulder and said I failed. He said, 'They didn't even test you for any kind of structure in the shoulder?'"

Rice said he was asked by Bucs general manager Bruce Allen to take a pay cut of $2.5-million from his $7.25-million salary. When Rice refused, he was released.

Rice was in New York and scheduled to dine with members of the Giants' front office Tuesday evening. He is expected to undergo a physical Wednesday.

"I can do everything. I'm clear," Rice said.

However, Rice said he does not intend to rush his decision. He also has received interest from the Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans.

Comments

[Daniel]

Rice should have taken the 5 mil and shut his mouth. I can gaurantee the Giants will not offer that much. What is this guy thinking? Of course the Bucs failed him. Paying him 7.25 mil and he wouldn't be ready for four weeks, what team in their right mind would pay that to an end who can't play the run coming off shoulder surgery? Why is everyone crying he is gone? Are you people nuts?

[Jerry]

I sure hope Simeon doesn't develop proprioception once his shoulder is healed.

[Tony]

In that SAME INTERVIEW Rice added that he understood why he failed the Bucs physical, he had worked out aggressively and his shoulder was weak at the time of the Bucs physical.
J.P. Peterson conducted that interview in the most biased fashion I have heard in a long time, he baited Rice to say every negative comment possible. Great interview J.P....for a local media hack!

[Mark]

Come on..Gruden and Allen are the same guys that said Lynch was washed up too. Gosh, what has Lynch done since that great decision? Only: 2 Pro-Bowls and multiple fines from the NFL for "hitting to hard". Sure wouldn't want to keep a guy who hits too hard..nice call!

Gruden and Allen have used up all of their credit when it comes to asking these players to take cuts. The Buc vets have taken cuts and restructured their deals for years to help those 2 and only get screwed in return and told its a business. Simeon doesn't owe them a damn thing.

Just wait, if Allen and Gruden are there 1-2 years from now they will do the same to Brooks and Barber. Mark it down.

[Dan]

It seems odd that these NFL contracts are "ONE WAY". Rice's contract was set up rear heavy and when it's time to pay the piper, they cut and run. Ask yourself, would you take a 33% paycut when you've been performing beyond your pay? As a season ticket holder, I can't wait until they cut Gruden & Allen. It's year 10 and the last one I'll have them in charge. My pocket book votes for me.

[Tom]

Daniel, did you forget all of the double digit sack years Rice has had? His sack numbers in Tampa since 2001 are 11, 15, 15.5, 12, 14 and 2. Tell what player in our history other than Sapp and Selmon has produced like that. We were patient with Jay Fiedler and Luke McCown to get well. Why not one of the most prolific sack artist in history? And we have plenty of room under our cap now. Think about it!

[AL]

Well first of all I disagree with mark. Second, I am starting to dis-like Bruce Allen more and more as time goes on. I cant stress enough how bad of a move it was to get rid of Lynch, but then again, I dont know what their thinking behind it was either. I do think that Simeon should have negotiated and accepted a $6 mil contract for the next yr. and I say this only because he could not start as strong as he did in 2004 or 2005 and there is no guarantee if it will not be a persistant problem (look at simms). I like Gruden as a coach and I think he should stay, but I think Allen should leave after this season. I really dont think Gruden wanted Rice to leave, why would he? He is just working with whoever Allen gives him, and that all comes down to money.

[Daniel]

Come on Mark...You know as well as I do that the Pro Bowl is a popularity contest. How many All Pros has Lynch made since he left. ZERO. He had 3 int last year and if you watched any Bronco games as I did, you would see he got beat on a consistant basis on the deep pass. While Lynch is still a highlight reel hitter, he made the Pro bowl on reputation only. He is a big liability in converage. It would be nice if the Bucs still had those 4 high draft picks they used to get Gruden as they could have been used for a top notch safety, but how is that GruAllens fault? Brooks and others have restuctured for the sake of the team and recieved new bonuses which are the only part of an NFL players contract that are gauranteed anyway. While Simm may not owe the team anything, how is 2 sacks in 8 games, playing beyond your pay? The guy could never stop the run, took many plays off even when healthy, and was disrepectful to Kiffen on the sideline for all the world to see. Don't think that Kiffen didn't sign off on this either. Lets see how Sim plays the run for his new team and if someone pays him more than the 5 mil the Bucs offered. I personally think 5 mil is too much for a 34 yr old sack specialist that can't stop the run coming off shoulder surgery who wont be ready for the opener, but thats just my opinion.

[DR]

Rice played through pain last year and put his body on the line for the team and for that, he deserves a chance to heal. Not get disrespected like he did by a couple of morons. The biggest loser in his release is Gaines Adams. Good thing about next year is we'll hopefully have a good coach who can draft. Gruden has never developed a player in his coaching career. He relies on veterans. Once this team finishes 5-11, it will be good riddance to Gru-dumb!

[MIKE]

IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON FROM BOTH GRUDEN AND ALLEN. THE CONSTANT LYING HAS ONLY MADE IT SO NO FREE AGENT WORTH ANYTHING WILL WANT TO COME PLAY FOR THIS TEAM. THIS TEAM WAS NOT IN CAP TROUBLE AND DID NOT NEED THE MONEY TO SIGN SOME OTHER BIG FREE AGENT. I EXPECT SIMEON WILL GET IN TWO MORE PRO BOWLS AND ALSO TEACH SOME OTHER YOUNG UP AND COMMING LINEMAN HIS TRICKS OF THE TRADE. NONE OF MY MONEY IS GOING TOWARD THE BUCKS TILL THEY CAN BECOME A TEAM LOCAL FANS ARE NOT ASHAMED OF AND EMARRASSED BY. GET READY FOR 2 AND 14

[Daniel]

Tom, Sim started that double digit sack run when he was in his 20's. He is 34 now. The guys game is predicated on speed. And don't use Gallaway as an example, that guy is small and an anaomoly. Sim is a big guy and they slow down with age. If Sim isn't as fast and has a questionable shoulder, he's not worth the money.

[Tom]

Daniel, you've really lost your marbles boy! Lynch a liability! How has our safety position been since he left. He is a seven time pro bowler and future hall of famer! Btw, he did make the pro bowl with Denver. They have one of the best Def in the league largely bc of him. And I assume you're talking about Rice (Simm), but he was cut the day of training camp with plenty of money under the cap. It is not usual for teams to have over 13 million under the cap bf the season starts and give up a player of Rice's caliber.

[MIKE]

I Hope Gruden and Allen are watching some TV the last couple days so they could be reminded how a classy coach Bill Walsh and owner built one of the greatest franchises ever. When they finnally reached the top they did not think they needed to keep tinkering with what they had they just gave there vet's the support they desearved and did everything in there power to keep the entire team together. Not one player has ever left this team in the Gruden Allen era and had anything good to say about it.

[Tom]

Are you comfortable with Chukwurah or Adams replacing Rice who has 121 career sacks? I don't think so.

[Warren]

You have to realize that the interview by Peterson was probably based on questions written by the Bucs. This guy has always been a hack - not in the least impartial.

[Daniel]

Tom, the Broncos were 21st in passing defense last year while the Bucs were 19th. You obviosly didn't watch any Broncos games as Lynch was the major reason for that ranking. They have the best corner in Champ Baily yet were ranked below the Bucs? Go to NFL.com and look up pass defense ranking, because you have lost YOUR mind. The Pro Bowl is a popularity contest and means nothing. Yes, Lynch can still hit but the stats confirm he was a liability in coverage last year. As far as the HOF thats a given, but not for his work as a Bronco.

[Daniel]

Tom, by the way in 2005 the Broncos were 29th in pass defense while the Bucs were ranked 6th in pass defense and had the number one overall defense. Before you tell someone they lost their marbles, get the facts first because you are rating Lynch on reputation just like the Pro Bowl voters did.

[Tom]

I did watch a few Broncos games. And I saw Lynch lay the hammer on a lot of players. You're right, he's not a spectacular cover safety but his instincts for the game is unmatched. And he can play in the box like a LB. Losing Lynch because of so called health problems was one of the darkest days in Bucs history. If you think that Philips, Howell, Allen or any safety has been better than Lynch in the past 3 years you're nuts.

[Tom]

Yeah, Lynch made the pro bowl in 2005 and Rice had 14 sacks. What's your point? You say they both are overrated? Football is a team game. But you cannot deny their individual efforts.

[Tom]

Get my facts straight? You said earlier that Lynch never made the Pro Bowl as a Bronco when if fact he did. More than once. Btw, 3 INTs for a safety is not bad. Nate Clements had 3 last year and he is considered one of the best DBs in the league.

Oh, you also said that having our "4 draft picks back would be good to get a top notch safety instead of having Gruden." WE WON A SUPER BOWL KNUCKLEHEAD!

[Daniel]

Remember, Monte makes the decisions on D, but gruden takes the heat. He knows more than you or I. They thought that lynch lost a step and phillips had speed. Phillips can't stay healthy. I'm sure Monte didn't see that. I love Lynch too, he can still hit and play the run but the stats don't lie. He slipped in pass coverage. The Pro Bowl means nothing. Was he All-Pro?, thats a truer indication of performance.

[George M.]

Rice will make the Pro Bowl this year and have at least 12 sacks. Gruden and Allen will be fired at the end of the season. You read it here first !

[Daniel]

Tom, read my post again, I said he made the Pro bowl on reputation only. I said it would be nice to have those 4 draft picks and that it wasn't Grudens fault we lost them. Read my posts and stop twisting my words,

[Daniel]

I said how many All-Pros did he make? That is different than the Pro Bowl. Don't you know football? How can you confuse the two? My five year old son knows the difference. Read the post again, then come back and apologize.

[Dave]

Gruden and Allen don't deserve to kiss my shoes after I've walked through a cow pasture.

Bad human beings, both of them. They may succeed (occasionally) in football, but they fail at life.

[Tom]

I am fully aware what the AP All Pro is. They are sports writers and broadcasters. So you're telling me that because Lynch is not on the AP all pro list that losing him wasn't a big loss. Are you nuts? Philips' poor play has nothing to do with his health.

You obviously have no understanding of football. Lynch is a leader just like Brooks and Nickerson. Do you remember that INT he made against the Redskins to turn the game around? Or the "Slide on Seam" direction he gave to Dexter in the SB? You tell me that that is not missing in our secondary.

I do apologize for your lack of knowledge.

[Daniel]

Tom, are you a lawyer? You are twisting everything I say. Your qoute "You said earlier that Lynch never made the Pro Bowl as a Bronco when if fact he did." is just not true. I never said he didn't make the Pro Bowl. I said he wasn't All Pro as it is a truer indicator. Phillips has been injured regularly, the guy can't stay on the field. I never said Lynch wasn't a leader, but while his team was 29th against the pass, the Bucs were 6th. Somebody did something right. If you want to live in the past, thats fine,Redskins=1999 superbowl=2002, but every year Lynch has been gone, the Bucs were rated higher than the Broncos in pass defense, even last year. Your argument, even while twisting my words, has no basis in FACT.

[Ray]

The bottom line is Rice was on his way out. If not this year, he would for sure not be signed next season. Let's see if you were Gruden, you have to pick between Adams or Rice. I think Adams is what everyone would pick. Actually, it is not all up to Adams. I hear he may split time with Patrick Chukwurah. It seems Chukwurah is doing well in camp. Another thing about you guys bashing Gruden for Lynch case. I love Lynch too. But, if that was a bad mistake by Gruden, how come none of you give him credit for bringing Galloway. I have yet to hear people say Gruden good job for getting Galloway.

[Tom]

Answer my question? Do you think that bc Lynch was not an AP All Pro, that losing him was not a mistake? That SPORTS WRITERS are a "truer" indication of a player's worth?

There are some things that cannot be placed on the stat sheet. The only argument here is that you feel that Lynch and Rice are overrated and I say they aren't. Even if they are not held in high esteem by a guy with a typewriter sitting in an office of a newspaper company.

[Tom]

Ray, I am not bashing Gruden. He's brought in a lot of good players. Hovan, Galloway, McCardell, Cadillac, etc. I blame his medical staff for letting Lynch go.

[Kurt]

Rice won't be missed by me. He is completely full of himself with his non-comprehensive ramblings. He never played the run and was a liabilty on 1st and 2nd downs. He agreed he wasn't ready to play when he failed the physical so what's his point now? He's surely not worth 7.25 whether we have the money or not. He got a huge amount of guaranteed money in that contract and should have taken the money offered as it was certainly a fair offer for his pass rushing services. Lynch did have serious health issues that any Buc fan who watched him saw his last season here. Nobody needed a doctor to see his arm popped out every other play. He had revolutionary surgery (which everyone forgets about) after he was cut. The surgery worked and his career was extended; something even he didn't see coming. Get over it. The offense needs to improve under Gruden this year or he should then go to the hot seat; plain and simple. Why is the GM a "bad person" because he hires and fires people (isn't that his job?)

[ed]

I just want to know one thing...has anyone's quality of life suffered directly because of Lynch and Rice being shown the door? You'd like to keep all your favorites forever, but, sooner or later they h ave to move on...even if they might have a couple of good seasons left in them. It's a crap shoot sometimes. This is not your Daddy's NFL.

[Daniel]

Tom,What I originaly said was that making the Pro-Bowl means nothing as it is a popularity contest, that countered your original argument that he made the Pro Bowl. You started with this Pro Bowl nonsense and that was my reply,that All-Pro would be a better indicator. I think because he made the Pro Bowl means he's popular and not a argument for keeping him and never would have brought up All Pro if people didn't bring up the Pro-Bowl. Do you think Brooks deserved the Pro-Bowl based on his play? Of course not, its a popularity contest. So stop saying Lynch made the Pro-Bowl, we should have kept him. again read your post. Who cares what a guy at a type writer thinks. I do care about stats, you have been mentioning Rices sack total. If you want to count those stats, why can't I count pass defense. It is a indication how the secondary has played against the pass, why wouln't you count that. You know as well as I do the Bucs problems have been on offense, we had a rookie at the helm that couldn't pass. Why are you arguing with me about Lynch? Are you saying if we had John Lynch we would have had a winning record? Only if John could play QB

[Kurt]

Now I have to disagree with you Daniel as the QB play was not the biggest problem last year. Grad had the same or better numbers as V Young and he won the Rookie of the Year award. What Grad did not have was an O line, a running game, a pair of receivers that could catch consistently and a defense that was consistent. Basically, we had a team that had 9 starters lost to injury, 3 rookie starters on offense and a coach that seemed to get more desperate with each loss. Don't blame the rookie QB who was unwisely thrust into a bad situation because it just doesn't hold water.

[Tom]

Still haven't answered my question. Look, the bottom line is that you feel that losing Lynch wasn't that big a deal. I think it was. I think it was huge. Just like it took awhile to find someone to replace Hardy, it will be hard to find someone to replace Sapp and Lynch. However, I think Piscitelli is going to be a gem.

[Daniel]

Kurt, you really think Grads had a good year? He had one good game then teams D crowded the line and dared us to pass. He couldn't and we couldn't run because we played against 8 and 9 and ten in the box. Yes, the line stank, but if Grads was so good why did Gruden pull him the last four games. Why isn't he the starter now? He can't throw downfield. He had a 65.9 QB rating. You are right Vince Young was barely better, but he led his team to wins making plays with his legs. Grads was fast, but couldn't make plays, his arm is also not in the same class as Young, so teams didn't stack the box on Young so his team could run. I know where you were trying to go but Grads is not a franchise QB, Young is.

[Daniel]

Tom, losing Lynch stunk, but its not why we had a losing record. I do think he is a HOFer for his work in Tampa, not Denver. It's just my opinion, no need to take it personal. He was a ledgend in Tampa and a leader on the field. I just think that we maintained our level of excelence after he left, injurys hurt the D last year.

[Steve]

I liked Rice, but he wasn't worth $7.5M this year, not with a shoulder that wasn't 100%, which he admitted it wasn't.

The Bucs offered him $5M this year, which seems fair. If he can get more than $5M somewhere else, more power to him. If he signs a 1 year $1-2M "prove himself" deal then he's going to look pretty foolish in my opinion. He could have proved himself in TB making $5M.

[Steve]

DR - get over it. Rice was paid very well for his services. He decided not to take a pay cut, that's his choice. The Bucs decided Rice wasn't worth $7.5M anymore, that's there choice. You act as if the Bucs are the only team in the NFL to cut a veteran player.

Mark - Brooks has restructured numerous times to help the team. Rice was asked pretty much every season to restructure and he refused.

[MIKE]

TO TOM AND DANIEL --- GET A LIFE !!!

[DR]

What Vince Young had over Grad was he had a good coach! I hope Grudumb is fired so Grad can have a decent coach come in and develop him.
Rice is full of himself and his problem was Grudumb is full of himself too. When you two egotists in the same locker room, one's gotta go and of course Grudumb has the upper hand on that. ie. Keyshawn Johnson

[Kurt]

DR - I know it's hard to swallow the year we had last season, but like I said earlier, it was a combination of things. I think Gruden did get a bit desperate (like throwing 50 times at NJG) but the whole team fell apart. In 8 seasons as an NFL coach he has 4 division titles, 3 conference championship appearances, 1 SB win and a 78-58 record. Those are exceptional numbers like no other coach in NFL history. He does have an ego I admit, but he also has great passion for the game too. You can't deny that McKay left him with a cap-hell situation and no draft picks (Glazers fault.) After the 2 years in which his hands were tied (03-04), he has built a nice nucleus of young talent with a lot of veteran talent (many of whom he brought in.) If the wheels fall off again this year, then I think we should seriously evaluate the leadership role, but I don't think you can do a whole lot in the NFL when you are rebuilding and don't have squat for young talent. This is the first year that we have actually had a little depth at every position since the SB season. You can't get everything you need in free agency - the draft is critical to a team's long-term success. Let's rally the troops and get behind the BUCS - coach and all - until the season is over!!!

[Larry]

There is always more behind the scenes that we as fans don't see. Rice was not 100%. He didn't want to take a pay cut.There was no garauntee that he is going to be back to his prime form. Sure he was one of the best, but you can't base your opinion on what an athelete has done. He is older, hurting , and was not a team guy. What if he didn't come around to prime form and sat out alot of the season? You'd all be screaming he should have been let go. What would he be saying if he wasn't the starter and had to sit down?And please drop the Lynch thing. Every time something is done people don't approve of people scream "Look at Lynch". Hey Lynch had alot to do with his departure. He wouldn't admit he was hurting and his play showed it.He didn't have it looked at until after he was cut. The coach made a decision with the facts he had on hand.So let John play , good luck, but he is gone.Give it a rest! Pros change teams, get old, lose a step it is Football. According to most sport lines one of the biggest off season losses to a team was a guy named Cato June. HHHMMMM who was the coach that let that happen? Oh Tony Dungy. Does that make him a bad coach? Hell no! Heys one of the finest coaches and men in this league. Hey changes happen. And there is always a reason.

[Larry]

One more thing Rice could have made 5 mil or so. He didn't want it. That is more than he will be offered anywhere else. I think his nose was out of joint since the Bucs drafted Adams. It appears he wanted to be Top Dog and thats it.

[Tom]

Hey Mike. This is a forum where people can chat about subjects like football. Sometimes we agree and sometimes we don't. It's just like how you may be interested in chatting with another man about taking bubble baths and listening to Hall and Oates. Besides, you're here reading it aren't you @#%&*!!! face?

[Danial]

Tom, You and I agree on something! Well said! and no hard feelings

[Eagle]

At least you have a kick that can win you games when the rest of your team cant.

[DR]

Kurt,
Can't live in the past forever. Grudumb has had 3 losing seasons the last 4 years. He has an overall losing record with the Bucs, even with a SB. Don't forget that Allen and Grudumb left the Raiders strapped with the cap as well. At least Mckay and Dungy left the Bucs with talent. Grudumb has never had a good draft in his career as coach. He has never developed a young player into a star in the NFL. He's that moron who took a kicker in the first round when he was with the raiders, despite the fact the kicker was in legal trouble! A SB doesn't make you a great coach; remember Barry Switzer? He won a SB too. 2 years ago was a fluke year and the playoff game showed that. AT HOME and you play that horribly, give me a break. They didn't let Grudumb run the draft this year for a good reason. Grudumb is flat out a fraud. You don't see players taking pay cuts for him and the Bucs for a reason. You do in Boston. But you do see these sissy thugs, wife beaters, drunks, felons coming down here don't you?

[Kurt]

Get a life DR. and do a little research before you use half-truths and unsubstantiated bs as your arguments. It's not worth my time. You might as well start rooting for another team because you're not a Bucs fan.

[Daniel]

I have to apologize to everyone for giving incorrect stats. I said yesterday Lynch had 3 ints last year. I was wrong, he had 0. He had 3 ints in the last 3 years combined. 0 last year, 1 in 05 and 2 in 04.
http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/3854

[DR]

Kurt, you need a life and yes, i'm not a Bucs fan! You should get a new team because it is bad to torture yourself watching the suckaneers playing every year. You chose to use your rose colored glasses with Grudumb instead of facing what is today and tomorrow. That is nothing, Grudumb has successfully ruined this team and given it no future. When he gets fired after the year is over, 6-10 would be a good year, the next coach will actually be starting the rebuilding phase. So sorry Bucs fans, your Bucs will be bad for years to come.

[DR]

Oh yeah, Kurt, one more thing, its not worth your time because you have no argument.

[Frank]

DR, if you are not a Bucs fan why waste your time trolling on these blogs? My guess is that you are secretly Rick Stroud. We all have been calling him DR since his diagnosis of
proprioception on Simms. Your football knowlege and factual statements also match his as well, ZERO. So do everyone a favor and go to the Falcon board where you belong. Or better yet, keep on posting because all of us can use a good laugh as all of your statement are comical.