http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/2001/0604/1209327.html I thought he was for sure going to Seattle. ------------------ www.swirve.com "Pre-born, you're fine, pre-school, you're f*****."-George Carlin
Rice at Raiders Practice Im speechless , this is just so weird . --------------------------------------------- ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- Jerry Rice took the field at the Raiders' practice facility Tuesday wearing his familiar No. 80 -- but in Oakland's silver and black. Rice, the NFL's most prolific receiver while with the San Francisco 49ers, participated in an informal practice session. He was patted on the back by several soon-to-be new teammates and smiled as he spoke with coach Jon Gruden. After 16 record-setting years with the 49ers, Rice didn't want to stray far from his mansion, his friends and his fans after being released by San Francisco on Monday because of salary cap problems. Rice, who set every significant NFL receiving mark while winning three Super Bowls with San Francisco, plans to play at least two more years. At Rice's charity golf tournament Monday, San Francisco vice president Bill Walsh said Rice, his favorite player, planned to sign with Oakland. The Raiders called a news conference for 3:15 p.m. EDT Tuesday to announce ``a player signing.'' Before Rice teed off at Los Altos Hills Country Club, he said he was still dealing with the emotions generated by his long-anticipated release by the 49ers. ``I think I've had time to prepare for it, and I'm at peace right now,'' Rice said. ``I've had so many great years with the 49ers. I have so many friendships. I can always go back to that.'' Agent Jim Steiner said both the Raiders and the Seattle Seahawks submitted contract offers. Rice said that if he chose Oakland, its proximity to his new 15,000-square-foot home in suburban Atherton would play a large part in the decision. ``We hope to get something done real soon, so I can do what I've been doing over the years,'' Rice said. ``I'm close, and I'm excited about that because this has been a long offseason. I'm ready to bring it to a close right now.'' Steiner said Rice's new deal would be a ``two-year commitment on both sides' part,'' though the actual contract might be longer because of salary cap machinations. Rice, 38, who holds league records with 1,281 receptions and 187 touchdowns, spent his entire career with the 49ers, but was cut because of the team's salary cap problems. Rice has anticipated his release since early last season, when his role diminished as Terrell Owens became San Francisco's top receiver. Though the 49ers offered him a $1 million bonus to retire, Rice didn't want to stop playing. ``The closure of this is great, and I'm glad it's the Raiders,'' Walsh said. ``I'm glad it's close, and that he doesn't feel he's being shipped to Devil's Island somewhere in the Midwest. I think he'll do very well over there.'' Among Rice's NFL records are his 176 touchdowns on pass receptions; 12 seasons with more than 1,000 yards receiving; 1,848 yards receiving in a single season; and 22 touchdown receptions in a single season. The 12-time Pro Bowl selection was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1987 and 1993 and the Super Bowl MVP in 1989. He has 19,247 yards receiving, including at least one catch in his last 225 games, another record. Rice is the final link to the 49ers' two decades of excellence. Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, Steve Young and several others already have retired, and Walsh recently stepped down as general manager. Rice would become the latest San Francisco great to spend the twilight years of his career with the Raiders and owner Al Davis. Besides the teams' geographical rivalry, Davis frequently clashed with the 49ers during the tenure of former San Francisco GM Carmen Policy. Over the years, the Raiders have lured Lott, Roger Craig, Tom Rathman, Marquez Pope and others into the silver and black. Oakland signed Charlie Garner, the 49ers' leading rusher the past two seasons, to a four-year contract in April. Rice's release gave San Francisco approximately $2.5 million in cap room, which GM Terry Donahue will use to sign backup quarterback Rick Mirer and several rookies. ``Jerry Rice is a 49er for life. That's just the way it is,'' Donahue said. ``But it's a time for the organization to move on. We've got young players to step up and carry the torch.'' Steve Mariucci, who coached Rice in his final four seasons in San Francisco, already was thinking about the 49ers' Aug. 19 preseason game on Candlestick Point against the Raiders. ``That's going to be weird, won't it?'' Mariucci said. ``I bet he'll come over to our sideline by mistake.'' ------------------
Jerry Rice is the greatest player in the history of the NFL. But it is time for him to retire. It doesn't seem right seeing him in the silver-and-black. ------------------ Bingbong was set up, led to an untimely death in the prime of his life for no other reason than pure malice. Things like that do not go unavenged. Sometimes it spills out onto the field of play.
The 49ers and Rice should never have let this happen. He should either have just retired or stayed with the 49ers if possible, playing for another team just doesn't seem right. ------------------
Well, I guess there's no accounting for taste... Now I hate the Raiders even more. ------------------ Jazzkiller
Am I the only one who is not bothered that the man wants to play another year? I'm not so sure any of us are in a position to say what he should or should not do with his life. Put yourself in his shoes. Doesn't the choice seem understandable at the least. You get to keep playing the game you love with the best competition in the world; you keep getting a paycheck; you stay in the spotlight; you don't even have to move; and you're on a pretty good team. Gee, I guess he should retire, because it's just wrong to leave the niners. Hello, he was cut due to cap reasons. Whatever, should or shouldn't, I'll be watching the games anyways. ------------------ "I've been on a calendar, but I've never been on time." -Marilyn Monroe
It doesn't bother me, actually. Rice was a great player for a long time - now he's a good receiver. I can't fault him for wanting to play as long as its viable. After all, athletes have a long retirement ahead of them. Might as well play when you can... ...and if the 49ers can't keep him, then Oakland seems like a good situation. They've got a good coach, a good quarterback, and a team that has a shot at a superbowl. ------------------ A few years back on the Senate floor... Phil Gramm: "If Democrats could, they'd tax the air we breathe." Ted Kennedy (jumping up): "By God, why didn't I think of that sooner!" Boston College - NCAA Hockey National Champions 2001
Rice does not have Aikman's Concussion problems. Rice can still play and folx still want him Rocket River ------------------
Jerry Rice is probably the only player I'll be sad to see retire. He was part of the reason I started watching football. My first time to ever actually watch a football game was the Super Bowl with the 49ers and the Broncos. He's my favorite football player and now that he's with the Raiders, I'm a Raiders fan. I hope he retires with another Super Bowl ring. ------------------
Troy Aikman will be a TEXAN. ------------------ "Break off the block like Maurice Green" --- Steve Francis President of the Moochie Norris fan club.
Band Geek, what about B.Sanders? Man, when that guy left I was dissapointed. He left in his prime and was one of the most exciting players to watch. He also could've shed more light on the greatness of Payton's record that he was on pace to break at the same time Payton was ill. What about Robert Smith? I like how he runs. I'll miss watching him too, but he's probably going to law school or something. ------------------ "I've been on a calendar, but I've never been on time." -Marilyn Monroe
Welcome to the Nation BGM . I think Jerry still has something to give , he caught 75 passes last year . I always wanted to see Jerry in A Raiders uniform , I just wish it would have been a few years earlier . Rich Gannon is the kind of guy who will throw to the person he knows will make the catch , Rather it was Andre Rison or Tim Brown . Gannon knows the potential of having to Hall-of-Famers on the team with maybe two years left . The time is now , Now or Never . ------------------
Barry Sanders was another player I loved watching. Rice and Sanders were the only two players that I actually paid attention too. Like in all sports, I just pay attention to the teams, but I never missed a game that involved Jerry Rice or Barry Sanders. Sanders quit like a chump though so I'm not sad about him leaving. I lost a lot of respect for him running off to England when his retirement was announced. I'm a big Oilers fan, I even have sunday ticket to watch their games, but now that the Texans are coming I think I'll be a Raider fan for a season. ------------------
