(May 18, 2005) -- Jerry Rice and the Denver Broncos, each with a need for the other, are exploring the idea of uniting this season.
Rice and Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who worked together for three years in San Francisco, were scheduled to talk at some point in the past 24 hours about the possibility of working together again this season. Shanahan also conducted preliminary talks this weekend with Rice's agent, Jim Steiner. Now the question becomes: Can they work out a deal?
SOME THINGS TO WORK OUT
It sounds like both sides want to make sure this is the right match before moving forward. The 42-year-old Rice wants to be assured he will have a role in the Broncos offense, and the Broncos want to make sure Rice will be happy playing whatever role he does, even if it is limited. Rice is willing to concede he will not start this season, but he would like to play. Denver would not expect him to start, but with as many four- and five-receiver sets as the Broncos use, Rice might be able to get extensive time. Rice already has turned down one offer from another team, but now he will have a chance to talk seriously with another.
PAST INTEREST
Interestingly, the Broncos weren't interested in Rice when he was available last season, but that was for a couple or reasons. It's highly unlikely the Raiders would have traded Rice in their division, to a rival no less. But just as important, the Broncos felt Rice would want to be a starter, and they were set with their starters already. So there was no interest last season. But there is interest this offseason.
HOW WOULD RICE FIT IN IN DENVER
It would be an ideal landing spot for him for the leadership he could provide. That's one reason the Broncos have an interest in signing Rice. Denver has veteran Rod Smith and up-and-coming receivers Ashley Lelie and Darius Watts.
The Broncos figure Rice would be a great example for Lelie and Watts, not to mention valuable insurance in case Smith gets hurt. Plus, don't forget that Rice did gain 14.3 yards per catch last season, his highest average since 1995. So it's not like he can't run anymore.
HELP WANTED
Last week, Steiner sent out a fax to all 32 NFL teams, informing them that "The GOAT -- Greatest of All Time" still was available. This is unusual for a future Hall of Famer to do. But it was not the memo that helped sway Shanahan. He already knew Rice was available. When Denver failed to come away with a wide receiver in the draft, it made sense to look at a veteran he already knew. Rice would like to play this season, and to do it for a coach he already knows, in a system he already knows, makes some sense.
RICE'S HISTORY IN DENVER
It would be ironic if Rice wound up in Denver. Rice played his final game as a San Francisco 49er in Denver in December 2000. At the end of the game, as Rice was walking off the field, Broncos fans were chanting, "Jerry, Jerry," and they could be chanting it again if he signs.
AND HOW ABOUT DENVER'S OFFSEASON
Should Denver land Rice, it would have as many storylines as any team at this summer's training camp. There would be the story of Rice trying to get one more season out of his magical body. There would be the story of running back Maurice Clarett in his rookie year (and don't you think Rice would take some of the spotlight off Clarett?). There would be the story of the running backs Clarett will be competing against. And there will be the story of all those defensive linemen imported from Cleveland.
Camp will start July 28. Get the cameras and notebooks ready.
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/8483344
I think he can be used for some good advise for recievers like Lelie... They really do need thier recievers to step up... I mean denver did stay away from WR's in the draft and it'd be funny to see him go up against oakland.
Adam Schefter said he could take the spotlight and pressure off of clarrett, but I dont think that would be any reason why the broncos would pick up rice. all in all, its a good fit for his last year I guess...
