Defensive end Simeon Rice made his name as a pass rusher. Prior to 2007, he registered 121 sacks, including double-digit totals during a five-year stretch with the Buccaneers from '01-'05. Now, though, the 12-year vet can't even get on the field. Released this summer by Tampa Bay, the Broncos signed the former third-overall pick and promptly declared him unfit to play. Head coach Mike Shanahan doesn't think Rice is fully recovered from an off-season shoulder injury, and for the second straight game, he won't be active. To say Rice is unhappy, would be a ginormous understatement:
Rice made it clear he isn't exactly making plans to seek another stint with the Broncos after his one-year contract, which he signed in September, ends.That's a great question. According to Football Outsiders, the Broncos rank 28th in defense (22nd against the pass, 29th against the rush). I can't imagine things could get any worse with Rice out there.
"I got two more months here," Rice said. Asked about next year, Rice said, "I'm going week-to-week. Every week seems like a decade. This is the longest year of my life." "I have (121) career sacks, I can't play on this defense?" Rice asked.
But there is more bad news for Denver: with wideout Javon Walker and center Tom Nalen already out, cornerback Champ Bailey looks like a no-go as well. Bailey, who is battling a quadriceps injury, practiced on a limited basis yesterday, and will be a game-time decision.
