Rice waits until now to decide future?

[Cringer]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2151966

Is Jerry Rice going to retire? We'll get a better idea after the future Hall of Fame receiver meets with Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan on Monday.

Rice told ESPN's Andrea Kremer that he will meet with Shanahan on Monday to get a better idea how the Broncos plan to use him in the upcoming season before announcing a decision to play this season or retire.


Jerry Rice
Wide Receiver
Denver Broncos
Profile


2004 SEASON STATISTICS
Rec Yds TD Avg Long
30 429 3 14.3 56

When the Broncos cut down their roster to 53 players on Saturday, the 42-year-old Rice made the squad, but he potentially could be Denver's last option at receiver.

Darius Watts' strong performance in Friday night's 30-21 preseason victory over Arizona won him the No. 3 job behind Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie. Rice had moved ahead of Watts on the depth chart earlier in camp, but Watts' recent push changed the team's thinking.

In fact, Charlie Adams is expected to challenge Watts for the No. 3 job. Adams has been cut a couple times, and he's catching the ball well after getting contact. It will be hard for Rice to justify playing behind Watts and Adams, although surely Shanahan wouldn't let him be the No. 5 receiver and not suit up.

Rice signed with Denver this summer in hopes of finishing his career as a backup with the Broncos. He wanted to be the team's No. 3 receiver.

"That was a must for him," Rice's agent, Jim Steiner, told The Associated Press on Sunday.

Workers at the hotel where Rice has stayed since he signed with Denver -- a golf resort close to the Broncos facility -- said Rice's golf clubs were gone, and he checked out of the hotel late last week.

Denver kept six receivers on its final roster, including Rice, Darius Watts, Charlie Adams and Todd Devoe.

After Denver's final preseason game Friday, Rice told the Denver Post: "Those guys deserve to be on the field. They worked real hard. The thing is, I'm going to hold my head high if it doesn't work out."

[Cringer]

He couldn't do tis on Friday before the cuts? Kind of screwing the Broncos a little if he retires, IMO.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Originally Posted by Cringer

He couldn't do tis on Friday before the cuts? Kind of screwing the Broncos a little if he retires, IMO.

I think it had something to do with the Broncos keeping about 37 receivers on the roster. This way if Rice retires they still have his replacement. I applaud Shanahan for showing Rice respect. He can still play though, and could still help a team like Philly or Pittsburgh. Hell, Houston could use him. There is nothing wrong with being a role player.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Heh, I was about to make a 'HOLY CRAP!!! Jerry Rice to retire' thread. Props on the quick catch.

There goes the NFL's greatest WR.

UPDATE: Yes, he will retire. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9192142/

[Crapshoot]

The rumor is that Rice needs the dough - which is why he's sticking to it.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

The rumor is that Rice needs the dough - which is why he's sticking to it.

Wow, that would be pathetic. I understand that his best years were maybe 5-10 years ago, but he's still probably made 2 million or more per year average for the past 10 years, to still "need" money at that stage is pretty darn silly.

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by stevew

Wow, that would be pathetic. I understand that his best years were maybe 5-10 years ago, but he's still probably made 2 million or more per year average for the past 10 years, to still "need" money at that stage is pretty darn silly.

Unsubstantiated rumor - take it for what its worth. However, you'd be surprised by the things you can get used to with lots of money- and those expenses don't go away after retirement.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by BigJohn&TheLions

I think it had something to do with the Broncos keeping about 37 receivers on the roster. This way if Rice retires they still have his replacement. I applaud Shanahan for showing Rice respect. He can still play though, and could still help a team like Philly or Pittsburgh. Hell, Houston could use him. There is nothing wrong with being a role player.

Rice can't help anyone. Even before the announcement, he was done. The Broncose would have dragged him along as a #5 WR, but he wasn't going to get any playing time. Darius Watts dropped about 800 passes in the preseason and Rice couldn't beat him out for number three on the depth chart.

In what will be Rice's final game, it was telling that he couldn't get seperation on third and fourth string Cardinals CB's. Sad to see, but that's the way it is. He was the greatest WR of all time, but his time is up. I hope he really didn't need the coin. (and something tells me he didn't if he walked, because the Broncos would have kept him on had he wanted to stay)

[NoMyths]

He'll be playing in the World League and golfing with Rickey Henderson before the year's out.

[Deattribution]

Originally Posted by stevew

Wow, that would be pathetic. I understand that his best years were maybe 5-10 years ago, but he's still probably made 2 million or more per year average for the past 10 years, to still "need" money at that stage is pretty darn silly.

I'm pretty sure he went through a divorce not too long ago too.

[cthomer5000]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[Greyroofoo]

I just think it'd be neat to see him sign with the Colts and line up with Marvin Harrison.

[stevew]

I'm sure when he hangs it up, he could get a job as a receivers coach, at least. It might not be player type money, but I'm sure it will pay the bills.

[JonInMiddleGA]

http://sports.myway.com/news/09052005/v7852.html
DENVER (AP) - Unwilling to be a bit player with the Broncos, Jerry Rice retired Monday, closing a 20-year career for the most productive receiver in NFL history.

Rice, 42, made his decision over the weekend at home in San Francisco, then returned to Broncos headquarters and met with coach Mike Shanahan. He played 20 NFL seasons.

"This is a happy day," he said. "I think the tears that you see basically is that I have really enjoyed this ride.

"I'm done. I'm looking forward to the next phase of my life."

Shanahan confirmed what Rice already knew - that he would be a fourth or fifth receiver, at best this season - and Rice confirmed what many figured - that he would rather call it quits than be a bit player with the Broncos.
...
His agent, Jim Steiner, has said if Rice retired this time, he would not try to come back with another team. If that's so, Rice will close his career with 38 NFL records, including those for career receptions (1,549), yards receiving (22,895) and touchdowns receiving (197).

[Cringer]

42 years old.

Instead of ripping the guy for being washed up, I am impressed and always will be. 42 years old, and still working his ass off. 42 years old and in a completely different era of football then from when he started, and he was almost good enough to compete with guys half his age who are supposed to be bigger, faster, stronger, quicker then he was in his prime.

I don't see it 'sad' because he is 'washed up.' I just add another mark to his list of accomplishments, because how many more guys will even have the balls and drive to try to play in the NFL as a WR after they have turned 40? 99% won't even get close.

[Logan]

Greatest player I've ever had the joy of watching. Probably my favorite athlete ever.

He was the reason I became a 49ers fan. Growing up, my friends used to rip on me, calling me a front-runner constantly. I used to have the same response: "How could you watch Jerry Rice play and not be a fan?"

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Cringer

42 years old.

Instead of ripping the guy for being washed up, I am impressed and always will be. 42 years old, and still working his ass off. 42 years old and in a completely different era of football then from when he started, and he was almost good enough to compete with guys half his age who are supposed to be bigger, faster, stronger, quicker then he was in his prime.

I don't see it 'sad' because he is 'washed up.' I just add another mark to his list of accomplishments, because how many more guys will even have the balls and drive to try to play in the NFL as a WR after they have turned 40? 99% won't even get close.

That about sums it up for me. He played the game off the charts the entire time, relative to his age anyway. The guy is amazing.

I remember reading an article about him doing summer workouts at Mississippi State University and the Bulldog players would *try* and train with him. He told them they could follow along all they wanted to, but if they quit, they had to leave for the day. Nobody ever made it one day with him and this was when he was probably 35 years old.


I wish I still had that article. I think it was in Sports Illustrated.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Cringer

42 years old.

Instead of ripping the guy for being washed up, I am impressed and always will be. 42 years old, and still working his ass off. 42 years old and in a completely different era of football then from when he started, and he was almost good enough to compete with guys half his age who are supposed to be bigger, faster, stronger, quicker then he was in his prime.

I don't see it 'sad' because he is 'washed up.' I just add another mark to his list of accomplishments, because how many more guys will even have the balls and drive to try to play in the NFL as a WR after they have turned 40? 99% won't even get close.

Agreed.

[HomerJSimpson]

Greatest receiver ever to play the game, and quite possibly the best player ever to play the game.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Originally Posted by Dutch

That about sums it up for me. He played the game off the charts the entire time, relative to his age anyway. The guy is amazing.

I remember reading an article about him doing summer workouts at Mississippi State University and the Bulldog players would *try* and train with him. He told them they could follow along all they wanted to, but if they quit, they had to leave for the day. Nobody ever made it one day with him and this was when he was probably 35 years old.


I wish I still had that article. I think it was in Sports Illustrated.

It really showed his dedication and work ethic.Also showing how important conditioning really is. He could, on the side be a fitness celebrity.

[saldana]

no one ever worked harder on the field...the number of guys that went to train with him during the off season, then came back and put up great numbers is off the charts. you never saw him acting like a jerk or talking smack...he was a consummate pro every day of his career...now all we are left with are idiots like owens and moss. i just wish he had been a niner his whole career, or if they had given him a one day contract like terrell davis had, so he could go out in SF.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by Deattribution

I'm pretty sure he went through a divorce not too long ago too.

Did he get screwed like Jeff Gordon did? If he made at least $2 million a year in salary alone, would still likely have $1 million.

[miami_fan]

Is it really going to be necessary for someone to present Rice's case when it comes time to induct him into the HOF? I think not

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by CHEMICAL SOLDIER

It really showed his dedication and work ethic.Also showing how important conditioning really is. He could, on the side be a fitness celebrity.

Conditioning is the key to success. The skill and size and speed to play any sport is a gift. The conditioning, however, must be earned by being self-driven.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Cringer

42 years old.

Instead of ripping the guy for being washed up, I am impressed and always will be. 42 years old, and still working his ass off. 42 years old and in a completely different era of football then from when he started, and he was almost good enough to compete with guys half his age who are supposed to be bigger, faster, stronger, quicker then he was in his prime.

I don't see it 'sad' because he is 'washed up.' I just add another mark to his list of accomplishments, because how many more guys will even have the balls and drive to try to play in the NFL as a WR after they have turned 40? 99% won't even get close.

Hey, I wasn't trying to put him down. He's earned the right to be the number five WR on any team who wants him. I respect the fact he didn't want to give it up. Good for him.

But when I see Jerry Rice not being able to get open on double moves against the third and fourth teamers the Cardinals have, it saddens me. Not because I think it tarnishes his image or that I don't respect what he's trying to do. It saddens me because I remember the younger version of Jerry and it was tough to see that there wouldn't even be any more "flashes" of talent. It's gone and that's sad.

[Kodos]

Farewell to one of the true legends of the game. We'll miss you, Jerry. You've been a class act from day one.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by saldana

now all we are left with are idiots like owens and moss.

Those are just the ones who make the news all the time. To counter:

Marvin Harrison
Troy Brown
Torry Holt

[pennywisesb]

Originally Posted by saldana

if they had given him a one day contract like terrell davis had, so he could go out in SF.

I really hope the 9ers do this for him. Or if they won't, maybe Al Davis can

[Travis]

Well, add Rice to the list of Gretzky and Jordan as possibly the best to play their sport, and most of us had the chance to at least watch them on TV. Not sure if any other generation will be lucky enough to have a collection like that to tune into.

[Raiders Army]

Originally Posted by Travis

Well, add Rice to the list of Gretzky and Jordan as possibly the best to play their sport, and most of us had the chance to at least watch them on TV. Not sure if any other generation will be lucky enough to have a collection like that to tune into.

Not to mention Ron Jeremy.

[PackerFanatic]

A little surprised he went to Denver in the first place, but still probably the best receiver to play the game. We have been a privledged generation to see him play and my hat is certainly off to him. See you in Canton in 2011, Jerry