Broncos, Rice agree on one-year deal

Do quarterbacks fall down at the mere sight of Simeon Rice? Oh wait, that was Brett Favre and Michael Strahan. --- Credit: H&H Sports

Frying Rice

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.

Simeon Rice was a integral part of the 2002 Super Bowl championship defense










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