Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Rice is 'excited' to test shoulder

Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 5, 2007 at midnight

Text size  

More Denver Broncos

More stories »

ENGLEWOOD — The newest Bronco, defensive end Simeon Rice, said his surgically repaired left shoulder feels fine.

But whether that means the shoulder is suit-up- for-game day fine is still a question mark.

"We'll soon find out," Rice said. "Walking around the street, I feel fantastic . . . ," Rice said. "Myself, I think I'm OK, I think I'm ready to play, but we'll see. The game of football is a game of attrition, it's going to take its toll. I'm going to see how my body holds up."

Rice was on the practice field for the first time Wednesday since agreeing to terms Monday on a one-year, $3 million deal with the Broncos. The 12-year veteran has not played in a game since finishing with two tackles against the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 5.

Rice then missed the final six games of the season, finishing the year on injured reserve after shoulder surgery.

"It's not going to be easy, it's not like riding a bike," Rice said. "It's a game of skill that has to be built back up. I'm just taking it as an overall challenge. . . . I wouldn't have signed if I didn't think I could have some impact."

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, with tongue squarely in cheek Wednesday, first said he expected Rice to have "20-25 sacks" this season. And then after an afternoon practice, when asked how Rice looked, Shanahan said, "Looked good, looked good, had 18 sacks today."

Still, Rice said he could be "the best, no ifs ands or buts," if he could play healthy in the Broncos defense.

"The fact is I've got to test it out and find out where I'm at, and (I'm) really excited to do so," Rice said. "That's why I signed on the dotted line. There's a challenge ahead of me."

The Giants, Titans and the Rams gave Rice a physical in recent weeks to check the shoulder, and the Titans came away believing Rice could be ready to play by the second game of the season.

Shanahan, however, said he still was holding out hope Rice could play 15 to 20 snaps in the regular- season opener Sunday in Buffalo. He added he didn't think the Broncos would have to regulate Rice's practice participation because of the injury, saying Rice's shoulder was "in pretty good shape."

Rice stayed after practice to put in extra conditioning, something he has done throughout his career. The defensive end, who has had eight career seasons with at least 10 sacks, added he was not as concerned about learning the defense or fitting in with his team as he was about how his shoulder would react to getting back on the field.

He went as far as to say it was his "biggest concern."

"It's a challenge for me because I've never been injured before," Rice said. "It's a challenge because I have to atone for a lot of things. . . . The people who watch me play are used to me playing at a high, high level. . . . I have to be Hot 97, have to bring that funk. That's what I do."

On the dotted line

Simeon Rice didn't get a signing bonus when he put his signature on his one-year contract with the Broncos, but he does get a $2.18 million bonus payment Friday. Rice will earn an $820,000 base salary this season. The deal also includes possible incentives.

10-11 sacks   $250,000

12-13 sacks    $500,000

14-15 sacks    $750,000

16 or more    $1 million

or 303-954-2359