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.

Rice takes a beating

Simeon Rice is causing controversy all over the place these days.

The defensive end who was released by the Bucs last week is visiting with the Giants today and is a candidate to join the team with Michael Strahan still not in training camp because of his contract dispute. Here's where it gets thorny: Giants Pro Bowl right end Osi Umenyiora spoke out about the possibility of Rice signing with the team, and it wasn't pretty.

"Nobody's talking about Julius Peppers. I mean, Simeon Rice is an outstanding pass rusher, but that's what he is," Umenyiora told the Newark Star-Ledger.

Umenyiora, photo at left, added, "I don't know where he's going to play.  I know he can't play left defensive end because they run the ball there. He can't play right defensive end. Well, he's been a right end. . . .  (But) I'm not moving to the left side. Absolutely not. Not even a question. I'm a right end. I've been successful at right end. I don't feel the need to move to a different position. . . I'm not going to move to left defensive end if they sign Simeon Rice, is what I'm trying to tell you. If the team asks me, 'Okay, we need you to move to left defensive end because we need you at that position,' I will. But I'm not going to move to that position because Simeon Rice is coming in. I won't do it."

Lastly, we'll leave you with this gem from Osi: "I'm not going to go so far as to call him what a lot of other people have called him. But I'm not sure. They say he's not the best run player and I guess people gave him that reputation for a reason."

Rice added to injured list

It just continues to get worse for the Bucs defense.

The unit was dealt another blow today when defensive end Simeon Rice injured his knee in practice. Coach Jon Gruden reports Rice is questionable for Sunday's game against Carolina.

Rice joins defensive starters Brian Kelly, Anthony McFarland, Ryan Nece and Chris Hovan, who remain questionable for Sunday with injuries.

Kelly (toe) and Nece (knee) did not practice Thursday, and although McFarland (hip) and Hovan (ankle) did participate, it was only on a limited basis and doesn't necessarily mean they'll be able to play against the Panthers.

The injuries are beginning to wear on Gruden, who joked, "I tried to explain to the team, we have this brand new, state-of-the-art training facility. My intent wasn't for every one of you to use it."

Later, Gruden got serious and said, "This is a big enough game that hopefully the men who are injured find the strength that they need to play."

-- By Stephen F. Holder

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.''