Posted May 25, 200519 yr By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com The legendary career of Jerry Rice, certainly the greatest wide receiver of all-time and a man some feel is the best player in history, apparently will continue for one more season. Rice on Wednesday agreed to a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos, where he is expected to vie for a spot as the team's No. 4 wideout. The financial details of the deal were not immediately available but it is believed that Rice will play at or near the NFL minimum base salary for a player of his tenure. The decision to prolong his career came after Rice spent much of Tuesday deliberating the merits of joining his third different team in two years. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said last week that, when he made his sales pitch to Rice by phone, he made no guarantees about a roster spot. The inference is that Rice will have to earn a niche as a backup receiver. The Denver starters are Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie, with second-year veteran Darius Watts as the No. 3 wideout. "I told Jerry that I don't know if he's lost a step or two steps, but you're going to come here for one reason and that's to compete with the other guys," Shanahan said. "And if you're one of our top five guys at the end of camp, then you're going to be on our football team. If you're not, I said I'd have one of the toughest jobs in the world." Steiner said Rice knows he has to earn a roster spot. "He knows that at this point in his career he can't fight the politics of age," he said. "What motivates him is, he loves the game, loves being around the guys. He has a passion for playing football, it's what he does and it's who he is," Steiner said. "The more people say he shouldn't do it, that becomes a personal challenge." Over the 10 seasons in which Shanahan has been head coach, the No. 4 wide receivers in Denver have averaged just 6.6 catches. The third wide receiver spot, a longtime problem area for the Broncos, has averaged only 19.2 catches in that stretch. "Mike is a coach who will manage him [Rice] better than anyone else in the league. Mike views him better than anyone else would. It all just works," said Rice's agent, Jim Steiner. Rice, 42, holds every significant league receiving record. He has 1,549 receptions for 22,895 yards and 197 touchdowns. He posted 100 or more catches in four seasons and had 1,000 or more yards 14 times. Splitting time in 2004 between the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks, Rice had 30 catches for 429 yards and three touchdowns. Earlier this offseason, Rice approached the San Francisco 49ers about returning to the franchise with which he began his career in 1985, but first-year head coach Mike Nolan respectively rebuffed those overtures. Last week, agent Jim Steiner faxed all 32 teams, apprising them of Rice's desire to play one more season. Sources said Rice turned down a contract offer from the Tampa Bay Bucs before the Broncos demonstrated interest in signing him. I wish he'd just retire already.
May 25, 200519 yr Horrible way to go out. But if the man wants to play, and he has a place to play, more power to him.
May 25, 200519 yr the Niners should've signed him...he's the greatest player in franchise history (and NFL history), and he wanted to come back so he could finish his career here... if the greatest player in NFL history wants to play for you, you sign him, no matter how washed up he is
May 25, 200519 yr He has the right to play as long as he wants as he's BY FAR the best WR ever, but he really should have retired years ago....
May 25, 200519 yr It's so amazing in any game to be able to declare a "best ever" at any position without question. Jerry is the man.
May 26, 200519 yr the Niners should've signed him...he's the greatest player in franchise history (and NFL history), and he wanted to come back so he could finish his career here... if the greatest player in NFL history wants to play for you, you sign him, no matter how washed up he is 783146[/snapback] the niners dont have the luxury of making a move for sentiment's sake. really don't agree with this move on rice's part, would much rather see a player of his level go out with dignity. but it's his career
May 26, 200519 yr Why is he tarnishing he career? Damn. He should have done the honorable thing like Emmitt Smith and signed a 1 day contract with the Raiders and then retired.
May 26, 200519 yr Why is he tarnishing he career? Damn. He should have done the honorable thing like Emmitt Smith and signed a 1 day contract with the Raiders and then retired. 784301[/snapback] Or, the um, Niners....
May 26, 200519 yr the Niners should've signed him...he's the greatest player in franchise history (and NFL history), and he wanted to come back so he could finish his career here... if the greatest player in NFL history wants to play for you, you sign him, no matter how washed up he is 783146[/snapback] the niners dont have the luxury of making a move for sentiment's sake. 784300[/snapback] they're going to suck next year either way, what difference does it make?
May 26, 200519 yr or maybe the Seahawks since that's what we'll all remember him for :plain 784309[/snapback] at least with the Seahawks he could have retired playing for someone that played a big part in his development (Mike Holmgren was the Niners offensive coordinator from Rice's 2nd year in 86 until 91...ironically, after Holmgren left to take the head coaching job at Green Bay, Mike Shanahan took over as the Niners' OC) maybe he'll be traded here near the end of the season so he can retire where he belongs Come on Jerry, don't become another Rickey
May 27, 200519 yr the Niners should've signed him...he's the greatest player in franchise history (and NFL history), and he wanted to come back so he could finish his career here... if the greatest player in NFL history wants to play for you, you sign him, no matter how washed up he is 783146[/snapback] the niners dont have the luxury of making a move for sentiment's sake. 784300[/snapback] they're going to suck next year either way, what difference does it make? 784310[/snapback] He takes up a roster spot that could go to a young guy that needs to learn the game.
May 27, 200519 yr Apparently Jerry Rice has been diagnosed with Rickey Henderson Syndrome. (aka he doesn't know when he's supposed to stop playing the game)
May 27, 200519 yr the Niners should've signed him...he's the greatest player in franchise history (and NFL history), and he wanted to come back so he could finish his career here... if the greatest player in NFL history wants to play for you, you sign him, no matter how washed up he is 783146[/snapback] the niners dont have the luxury of making a move for sentiment's sake. 784300[/snapback] they're going to suck next year either way, what difference does it make? 784310[/snapback] He takes up a roster spot that could go to a young guy that needs to learn the game. 784981[/snapback] exactly, plus its a distraction off the field. the guy should sign a 1-day contract with SF and bow out.
May 27, 200519 yr Don't blame Jerry for that, the guy still wants to play. If any one should be badmouthed it should be Mike Shanahan.
May 27, 200519 yr Apparently Jerry Rice has been diagnosed with Rickey Henderson Syndrome. (aka he doesn't know when he's supposed to stop playing the game) 784996[/snapback] Leaving game when way past prime >>>leaving during prime
May 31, 200519 yr If I had that kinda talent I'd play as long as my body allowed me to...it will just add to the records, make them harder to break.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.