Him8123
09-03-2007, 07:01 PM
Broncos, Rice agree on one-year deal
Associated Press
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Nobody's more excited about Denver's signing of free agent sacks specialist Simeon Rice than Broncos safety John Lynch.
The two won a Super Bowl together in Tampa Bay in 2002, and both believe this reunion in the Rockies could lead to a second ring.
"He's a teammate who I loved playing with and one of the great pass-rushers of all-time. So, we'd be - anyone would be - fortunate to get him," Lynch said Monday while the sides were signing the one-year deal at Broncos headquarters.
Rice, whose 121 career sacks rank second to Michael Strahan among active players, was released by Tampa Bay this summer after the Buccaneers signed first-round draft pick Gaines Adams.
Rice had failed a physical earlier in the day after reporting to camp, but has since passed his medical tests. The 33-year-old started the first eight games last year before being sidelined by a shoulder injury.
Lynch said Rice told him he was fine: "He told me his shoulder's feeling good and he feels like he's ready to play."
Coach Mike Shanahan courted Rice to bring experience and pressure to a young defensive line.
"He's a big-time pass rusher, he's been in the league for a while, he's got a lot of talent," Shanahan said.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Associated Press
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Nobody's more excited about Denver's signing of free agent sacks specialist Simeon Rice than Broncos safety John Lynch.
The two won a Super Bowl together in Tampa Bay in 2002, and both believe this reunion in the Rockies could lead to a second ring.
"He's a teammate who I loved playing with and one of the great pass-rushers of all-time. So, we'd be - anyone would be - fortunate to get him," Lynch said Monday while the sides were signing the one-year deal at Broncos headquarters.
Rice, whose 121 career sacks rank second to Michael Strahan among active players, was released by Tampa Bay this summer after the Buccaneers signed first-round draft pick Gaines Adams.
Rice had failed a physical earlier in the day after reporting to camp, but has since passed his medical tests. The 33-year-old started the first eight games last year before being sidelined by a shoulder injury.
Lynch said Rice told him he was fine: "He told me his shoulder's feeling good and he feels like he's ready to play."
Coach Mike Shanahan courted Rice to bring experience and pressure to a young defensive line.
"He's a big-time pass rusher, he's been in the league for a while, he's got a lot of talent," Shanahan said.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press