Simeon Rice?

[Cliff Levingston]

From the Wiretap:

Chicago Sun-Times - Simeon Rice, who sat out last season, is attempting a comeback and the Bears could be interested.

Rice, 35, is a Mount Carmel product and had his most productive seasons under defensive line coach Rod Marinelli with the Buccaneers.

[shugknight]

I'd take him in a heartbeat. A full season of rest, and finally healthy, I'd take him instead of wasting a draft pick on another bust in the draft.

I think with a rotation of Ogunleye, Brown, Rice, and Anderson.... and Rod Marinelli helping the line, we can easily surpass the 28 sacks we had the season before.

Either that, or we trade Anderson and a few draft picks for Chad Johnson.

Then imagine using our first rounder on somebody such as a BJ Raji who could clog up the middle and take on double teams to let Tommie and the gang wreak havoc on the offense. NICE!!


but probably wishful thinking..

[Balance-a-Bull]

http://www.nbcchicago.com/sports/footba ... icago.html

Could Simeon Rice Return Home To Chicago? Former Mt. Carmel standout eyes return to NFL

By TOM FORNELLI

Updated 6:15 PM CST, Mon, Feb 2, 2009
Related Topics: National Football Conference | National Football League | NFC South Division | Rod Marinelli | Simeon Rice | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Football | Professional Football | Sports

How sad was the Bears pass rush in 2008? So bad that a 35-year old defensive end who hasn't played in two years seems like a good idea.


It could easily be said that the Chicago Bears are doing everything in their power to have some kind of strange Tampa Bay Buccaneers reunion here in the Windy City. After all, Jerry Angelo got his start with the Buccaneers before coming here and hiring Lovie Smith, a former Buccaneers coach, to take charge of his team. Then both Angelo and Smith decided to bring in former Tampa Bay defensive line coach and head coach of the Detroit Lions Rod Marinelli in to help an anemic pass rush.

So it would only make sense if Marinelli brought along one of his prized pupils with him, and it looks like he just may get that chance. It turns out that former Tampa Bay defensive end, and not to mention a local product from Mt. Carmel high school and the University of Illinois, Simeon Rice is looking to make a comeback to the NFL.

Rice had the most productive years of his career playing in Tampa under the tutelage of Rod Marinelli, including a career best 15.5 sack season in 2002, the same year the Bucs won the Super Bowl. He also has 122 career sacks in the NFL but most of those haven't come since the 2006 season. Rice spent the 2007 year playing for both the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts, but shoulder problems limited him to only eight games between them, and only one sack.
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Odds are there aren't going to be many teams lining up for a soon to be 35-year old defensive end who has a reputation for being somewhat of a cancer in the locker room, so if the Bears do have any interest in him, they can get him cheap. [b]When you think about it, there aren't many reasons why the team shouldn't take a shot. It's not like they'd have to guarantee him a roster spot or anything, so there wouldn't be any harm in bringing him to camp and seeing if two years of rest and a reunion with Rod Marinelli can't reignite the spark Rice once had.

It's the ultimate low risk, high reward type signing.

We already have one Simeon product on the Bulls, so why not give another Simeon a shot on the Bears to shore up the line short term.

He will not cost much and rest maybe he could be lightning in a bottle the pass rush needs.

We can then concentrate on other areas via free agency and the draft.

[shugknight]

If anything, he'll be a good mentor to Mark Anderson. Maybe take over D-Line coach after we fire Babich and promote Marinelli to D-Cord.

[Balance-a-Bull]

If anything, he'll be a good mentor to Mark Anderson. Maybe take over D-Line coach after we fire Babich and promote Marinelli to D-Cord.

+1

I like this plan.

[Chewie]

If he's got something left in the tank, I'm inclined to give him a shot.

Passing the physical would be the first test....

[emperorjones]

Pass. You can't take a season off at his age and position in football and come back. I'd rather give a shot to a 4th or 5th round DE in the draft.

[Chewie]

Pass. You can't take a season off at his age and position in football and come back. I'd rather give a shot to a 4th or 5th round DE in the draft.

I suppose we could just see if Ervin Baldwin is legit for that matter. He showed glimpses in preseason. But don't they all ??

[coolblade587]

The Bears suck ass.

[emperorjones]

^^How can you say that with no proof? Kevin Garnett is a better passer, better perimeter defender and has much more on court flare than Duncan ever had.

[coolblade587]

^^How can you say that with no proof? Kevin Garnett is a better passer, better perimeter defender and has much more on court flare than Duncan ever had.

Firstly, how the hell did this turn into a Garnett-Duncan talk? Secondly, It's my opinion of Duncan, I think Duncan is a better post player than Garnett, but Garnett has a better mid-range game than Duncan, you can say Garnett is a better perimeter defender, but Duncan is a better interior defender. I don't think Garnett is much better of a passer than Duncan. His flare has really done him a lot, while Tim Duncan turned a franchise who had nothing.. no championships, a new team totally around. Thirdly, this is just my opinion, as you have yours. I can understand your disagreement, but this is how I feel.

[Chewie]

^^How can you say that with no proof? Kevin Garnett is a better passer, better perimeter defender and has much more on court flare than Duncan ever had.

Please don't feed the trolls.

[emperorjones]

sorry Chewie. It was just a mind control trick to make the troll actually write something. He actually took the time to write something LOL! He is under my power!

[Balance-a-Bull]

sorry Chewie. It was just a mind control trick to make the troll actually write something. He actually took the time to write something LOL! He is under my power!

LOL,

Keep up the great work.