Simeon Rice released by Bucs then Broncos. Now a Colt.

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Lenny P was on Mike & Mike this morning and said that if healthy he won't have a problem finding a team and he mentioned the Skins as a possibility. I believe it's pure speculation on his part at this point, and he also added Detroit as a possibility.

Detroit makes a lot of sense given his relationship with Rod Marinelli. Of course the first thing I thought when I heard he was released was "maybe the Skins can get him" ... but, after some reflection, I think that might be a bad thing in the long term (i.e. after this season). Of course he won't sign for the vet min, that is crazy, so how would signing Rice affect the Skins ability to sign their own guys (esp. Cooley)? Also, the Bucs apparently released him because he failed a physical and has not recovered from the shoulder injury that limited him to only 2 sacks last year. Do the Skins really want that backage? I'd say we'd be better off to just let him go to Detroit and Chris Samuels can just be happy that Simeon won't terrorize him as he has so many times in the past when we have played the Bucs.

[jdlea]

Man, I would love to have Simeon here like 3 years ago. However, he's available now and I think the Skins should take a flyer on him. If you have cap space, then sign him to a decent one year deal and find out if he can still go. Put him on the left in obvious passing situations and let him go after the QB with Carter on the other side. That gets me "excited" just thinking about it. I would love to see Rice end up in Washington.

BTW, by decent I mean >$4 million for this year.

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by jdlea

BTW, by decent I mean >$4 million for this year.

A one-year deal sounds good, but I seriously doubt Rice would be interested in signing anything that didn't include a pretty decent signing bonus and if you had a one-year deal that entire charge would be forwarded to this year. Plus, JLC reported that the Skins are $7 mil under the cap before getting Landry's deal done. Apparently the max charge he could have would be $2.1 (as that is what is left under the rookie cap, but I'm not cap expert). In any case, for sake of argument say Landry's charge ends up as $2 mil. That would leave the Skins w/ $5 mil, which a one year, $4 mil deal to Rice would eat up. Then what about getting a new deal for Cooley? I just looked up the cap charges of the top paid tight ends and Shockey, Crumpler, and Winslow all have cap charges right around $4 mil (Gates is at almost $5 mil). I'd rather spend the money on Cooley as he will be the one that will help the team for many years as opposed to bringing in some injured guy to (maybe) help for one. The Skins need DL help, but not at the cost Rice will likely command.

[MTK]

He's 33, I would think he would be looking for at least a 2-3 year deal.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by SC Skins Fan

A one-year deal sounds good, but I seriously doubt Rice would be interested in signing anything that didn't include a pretty decent signing bonus and if you had a one-year deal that entire charge would be forwarded to this year. Plus, JLC reported that the Skins are $7 mil under the cap before getting Landry's deal done. Apparently the max charge he could have would be $2.1 (as that is what is left under the rookie cap, but I'm not cap expert). In any case, for sake of argument say Landry's charge ends up as $2 mil. That would leave the Skins w/ $5 mil, which a one year, $4 mil deal to Rice would eat up. Then what about getting a new deal for Cooley? I just looked up the cap charges of the top paid tight ends and Shockey, Crumpler, and Winslow all have cap charges right around $4 mil (Gates is at almost $5 mil). I'd rather spend the money on Cooley as he will be the one that will help the team for many years as opposed to bringing in some injured guy to (maybe) help for one. The Skins need DL help, but not at the cost Rice will likely command.

I thought that if an extension were worked out with Cooley the Skins wouldn't start feeling a cap hit until next season. If they're going to have to take hit this year, then I absolutely extend Cooley rather than take a shot at Rice. Or, I put the Cooley talks into overdrive right after Landry signs on and try to get Cooley done in order to find out exactly what I can offer Rice. My thinking being that once Landry and Cooley are done, you're pretty much done adding players/cap space. If that's the case, you go ahead and throw it away trying to see if Rice can produce.

[EXoffender]

I would've been happy drafting Gaines Adams but, of course TB selected him before we picked. I'm even more satisfied we didn't trade up for him.

[diehardskin2982]

I would take Rice for a 2 year encentives based on performance deal. He could return to a suitable DE or be the next Bruce Smith. But right now its worth a shot. I'd also take Tank- I think the combination of those 2 would solidify the line. However there this thing called a salary cap that holds us back.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by diehardskin2982

I would take Rice for a 2 year encentives based on performance deal. He could return to a suitable DE or be the next Bruce Smith. But right now its worth a shot. I'd also take Tank- I think the combination of those 2 would solidify the line. However there this thing called a salary cap that holds us back.

I don't think Bruce Smith was a bad signing at all. He was old, but he was still pretty productive, not dominant by any means, but he wasn't bad. I'd be happy if we got Simeon and he ended up being Bruce Smith

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by jdlea

I don't think Bruce Smith was a bad signing at all. He was old, but he was still pretty productive, not dominant by any means, but he wasn't bad. I'd be happy if we got Simeon and he ended up being Bruce Smith

My memory of the Bruce Smith fiasco is quite different. I thought it was embarrassing to have a washed up shadow out there desperately trying to get those last few sacks when the team was losing the whole time. Then they printed t-shirts. Horrible.

[memphisskin]

Bruce Smith had a ten sack year here in dc, which I would take from Rice, Carter, or anyone lined up on our d-line. Rice is a bit injury prone, but worth the risk.

[Paintrain]

I'm on the fence with him. I still have ill feelings from the Bruce Smith era, he was only out for himself and his record IMO.. I think Rice has some of the same selfishness and would buck Grilliams a little if he impeded his style (see Archuleta, Adam)..

On the other hand, he instantly (if healthy) becomes far and away the best pass rusher on the team and someone capable of 6-8 sacks.. With him on one side & Carter on the other that will cause some double teams and open gaps for Landry or Taylor to blitz thru.. I wonder how much of his 'failing the physical' was contract related since they asked him to restructure and he refused.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

My memory of the Bruce Smith fiasco is quite different. I thought it was embarrassing to have a washed up shadow out there desperately trying to get those last few sacks when the team was losing the whole time. Then they printed t-shirts. Horrible.

I agree, Smith didn't do much for us at all, and it was all a waiting game.

Rice isn't going after any record, I think he just still wants to play. I am sure he still has a couple good seasons left in him.
But as people pointed out, there is no point in spending money on a guy that is injured...he NEEDS to be healthy. If so, pay the man, and get him on the field!!!

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Normally when we talk about jumping at every free agent on the market, I'm like, "Here we go again..." but he really would be a welcome addition.

While he would be welcome, we also have more pressing needs right now, namely extending Cooley as was mentioned above. If signing Rice were to put that in jeopardy, I'd be SERIOUSLY pissed.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

Normally when we talk about jumping at every free agent on the market, I'm like, "Here we go again..." but he really would be a welcome addition.

While he would be welcome, we also have more pressing needs right now, namely extending Cooley as was mentioned above. If signing Rice were to put that in jeopardy, I'd be SERIOUSLY pissed.

We have plenty of time to extend Cooley, but our season is rapidly approaching and we still have the same weakass DE's that we had last year. Sure a lot of us are hoping that Carter will step up, but who says for sure he will? We have the weakest DE's in all of football...we NEED Rice.

[MTK]

JLC's 2 cents on Rice:

Simeon Rice - Redskins Insider

When you cover the Redskins you expect to get a flood of emails whenever a big-name player is cut. And if he happens to be a D Lineman, or, in particular, a pass-rushing D end, well, forget about it.

So with Simeon Rice suddenly on the street, I was prepared for the influx of questions, and you guys didn't let me down. Okay, here's what I know. The Skins didn't rush into anything as soon as he was cut and there were no organization-wide discussions about Rice last night.

If they went solely on the reports scouts and coaches have on Rice, there would be significant concerns. His age, fitness, shoulder status (failed a physical with the Bucs), attitude in the locker room, and motivation on the field (seen as a guy who wants to get sacks and isn't worried about the team concept; a one-trick pony who doesn't do much against the run) would be major issues.

However, with this ownership/management team, you can never say never when a guy like Rice is on the street. And this case a little unique as many in the organization who have self-scouted the roster would admit the lack of an impact pass rusher is troubling. Now, is Rice still an elite force or is he someone who will be hit or miss chasing the QB and can only get on the field in certain third down situations?


Many in NFL circles would say he's closer to the hit or miss part, but, considering all he has accomplished in this game, it's hard to see Rice not wanting to be compensated like a star.

From Rice's perspective, some people close to him have the Redskins on the short list of teams they think might express interest. But, as I've said in the past, that's nothing new because there isn't an agent in the NFL who does not want the Skins in on any negotiation as the price tends to skyrocket. Also, some people close to Rice would tell you that the Bucs letting him go had much more to do with his $7 million base salary than his shoulder problem and that he is raring to go and could be a major boost to any roster he lands on.

So, what to make of all of this? Glad you asked.

My sense now, and, admittedly, we are crazy early in the whole process, is that the Skins will keep an eye on him, try to get a feel for his health and see where the money goes. I don't see them rushing in, setting the market or making a big push - I think Detroit and some other clubs will show the deepest interest - and I think there are a lot of people in the building here who would have reservations about brining in this guy now, so far along in the offseason. Would he be okay with being a situational guy? Would he fit in?

At the right price, who knows. And I know Simeon is a well spoken dude who could probably allay some fears in conversations with the team. It's an interesting scenario and one I will stay on top of to the best of my ability. I don't rate it a high likelihood as of this moment, but, again, these things have a way of swaying all over the place. Will post more as I gather it.

As for Landry, they were pretty far along last night, talking about escalators and bonuses. If the deal isn't completed by late this afternoon for any reason, I would be pretty surprised if it lasted more than another day. There was continued optimism on both sides as of very late last night.