Broncos' Rice continuing to improve

[dragondawg]

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News

One game into his Broncos tenure, Simeon Rice came out of Sunday's opener no worse for wear having finally tested his surgically repaired right shoulder.

Rice played 17 snaps at defensive end. He batted down a pass attempt at the line of scrimmage and kept containment on an end-around during Denver's 15-14 victory over the Bills. But the league's No. 2 active sack leader never came close to padding that particular total.

"Obviously I wasn't my normal lovable self out on the football field but I did all right," Rice said with a smile Thursday. "The best thing that came out of that was understanding that I could take a hit and be a little more confident in my body. That was a big jump up for me."

Rice added that his chief challenge currently is buying into the healing process and plugging through his continued rehabilitation. He had an arthroscopic procedure late last season after missing the final eight games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"That's the frustrating part for me," the free-agent pickup said.

Rice arrives at the Broncos facility before 6:45 a.m. daily to begin a long routine that includes strengthening exercises, practice, post-workout conditioning and drill work and film study.

But once he gets his body right, watch out, he warned.

"Football for me is going to come natural," he said. "I know I'm one of the most dominant players this game has ever seen and I have a long road back to the top. I take on that challenge. I'm not really trippin' on that."

Rice's workload is only expected to steadily increase as he gets into cardiovascular shape and learns the scheme.

He played behind starter Elvis Dumervil vs. the Bills, entering the game primarily on obvious passing downs.

"It's going to be a progression," he said.

Jim Bates, who heads Denver's defense, was pleased with how quickly Rice was able to assimilate himself after having only signed six days prior to the Broncos' opener. Rice went through full workouts on Sept. 5-6 and essentially a walk-through the following day before not only suiting up in Week 1 but contributing.

"It's a tough situation coming in. He always stays in great shape but to come in and practice two days and play, that's not easy for anybody, even with the ability Simeon has," Bates said. "He'll just continue to improve."


http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drm...697513,00.html

[Paladin]

'Bout time the Broncos have someone with that much talent and the - shall we say -the arrogance to believe he can be the best player out there and talks it up a bit. Champ knows he's the best but he is quite quiet. Don't think we have any chatterboxes out there, and it will be nice to have some of that on the D.

[Los Broncos]

Hes going to be huge for us coming down the stretch if healthy

I look for him to get about 25 snaps this week, with one sack.

[Dukes]

Originally Posted by dragondawg

"I know I'm one of the most dominant players this game has ever seen"

*cough*BS*cough*

[Paladin]

Can you hear it?

"Yo, Rivers. Got pads on your butt, boy? Gonna need a new tailor after I rip your f+++++ uni off. Got your insurance paid up? Hut, hut your arse!"

[NaptownChief]

Is this a cut and paste of a previous Courtney Brown article with the name changed to Simeon Rice or is this actually a new piece? Sure looks like similar fluff articles about many of the Brownco additions a couple years ago.

[Houshyamama]

Originally Posted by NaptownChief

Is this a cut and paste of a previous Courtney Brown article with the name changed to Simeon Rice or is this actually a new piece? Sure looks like similar fluff articles about many of the Brownco additions a couple years ago.

You're comparing Simeon Rice to Courtney Brown? Wow.

[Will Wayfarer]

Good point, but you forget that Courtney Brown played 15 games for us in '05, and did a decent job.

But that's beside the point, since Brown was never as talented as Simeon Rice.

[NaptownChief]

Originally Posted by Houshyamama

You're comparing Simeon Rice to Courtney Brown? Wow.

You boys aren't too sharp around these parts are you? I'm comparing the same fluff, feel good stories about old has beens or never will be's that they put out every year. Whether Rice does anything or not I haven't a clue but it is the same old Polly Anna BS stories regardless of who it is.

[Steve Sewell]

Originally Posted by NaptownChief

You boys aren't too sharp around these parts are you? I'm comparing the same fluff, feel good stories about old has beens or never will be's that they put out every year. Whether Rice does anything or not I haven't a clue but it is the same old Polly Anna BS stories regardless of who it is.

You mean like the running stories about Kris Wilson and how he was going to be the Chiefs "secret weapon" on offense?

[Dukes]

Originally Posted by NaptownChief

You boys aren't too sharp around these parts are you? I'm comparing the same fluff, feel good stories about old has beens or never will be's that they put out every year. Whether Rice does anything or not I haven't a clue but it is the same old Polly Anna BS stories regardless of who it is.

Except Brown was never really a has been. Sure the guy had decent talent, but couldn't stay on the field. Whether you're trying to compare fluff pieces or not, your comparison doesn't work

[ZONA]

With Bates running this defense, and hopefully our DL drafts and FA's turn out to be good, and with Champ and Bly locking things down outside, I think getting him a safety and LB early in the draft next year, this defense could be dominant in a year or two. Not good, Dominant.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Dukes

*cough*BS*cough*

There's nothing BS about it. Pressure on the QB is what we're talking about and he's 13th all time in sacks...8 from the top 10. He shares the same history of relative injury free careers with these, his peers in this group. If his career averages the same as other top 10 sack artists, he's got 4 more years and he's on track to finish behind only Bruce Smith, Reggie White and Kevin Greene on the all time sack list.

And yes...that is VERY dominant.

[Arkansas Bronco]

Oh no Napy you guys are gifted to bad we dont have a team like yours. :cough: Just go suck a tailpipe troll this is worthless banter. Go kiss herms dong and drop it.

[Dukes]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

There's nothing BS about it. Pressure on the QB is what we're talking about and he's 13th all time...8 from the top 10. He shares the same history of relative injury free career with these, his peers in this group. If his career averages the same as other top 10 sack artists, he's got 4 more years and he's on track to finish behind only Bruce Smith, Reggie White and Kevin Greene on the all time sack list.

And yes...that is VERY dominant.

Sure he's dominant, but I laugh when I hear he thinks he's one of the most dominant players EVER, for every position. That's just silly

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Dukes

Sure he's dominant, but I laugh when I hear he thinks he's one of the most dominant players EVER, for every position. That's just silly

If you achieve company with the top 10 on any list, you have a right to claim that. Besides...this team needs an on field verbal leader like this.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by Dukes

Sure he's dominant, but I laugh when I hear he thinks he's one of the most dominant players EVER, for every position. That's just silly

He's a pretty darn good player historically.

He stacks up against the all-time greats. That would make them his peers.

[NaptownChief]

Originally Posted by Steve Sewell

You mean like the running stories about Kris Wilson and how he was going to be the Chiefs "secret weapon" on offense?

Exactly....Same old stuff....Just cut, paste and change the names. All teams have their writers writing the same garbage and the majority of the homers get all fired up at the thought of Jesse Haynes of the world being the next legendary pick up yada, yada....and about 19 out of 20 times they are barely heard from again in actual production on the field.

See Sewell is a good bit sharper than you other folks. He knows the program. I bet some of you were convinced that Nick Rolovich was destined to Denver greatness.

[Arkansas Bronco]

Dukes I dont get you man, you claim to be a bronco but cant look past the first game of an all time sack pro that was injured? Im not sold on his char. but his first play swatted a ball down. I liked what I saw and if it gets better even more so, so what is your beef?

[SoCalBronco]

Rice "ready to surge" in Broncos' defensive scheme

posted by: Dan Boniface , Web Producer created: 9/12/2007 8:27:46 PM
Last updated: 9/12/2007 8:28:47 PM


ENGLEWOOD (AP) - The Broncos' constantly rotating defensive line is perfect for Simeon Rice - for now.


Once he's up to speed, though, Rice expects to play every down.

"It's a long road back," said Rice, who's recovering from shoulder surgery. "But I have big expectations."

Such as?

"To be me," he said.

Rice, who signed with Denver five days before the season opener, played a limited role in a 15-14 win over Buffalo last Sunday, but had two big contributions. He knocked down a pass and snuffed out a reverse.

"He got off to a good start," defensive boss Jim Bates said. "We look for him to continue to improve as he gets more in football shape."

Rice won't be happy with just improving. He wants to dominate. The three-time Pro Bowler said he's getting close to being his old self. Rice has had eight double-digit sack seasons since being selected third overall by Arizona in 1996.

"Physically, I'm ready to surge," Rice said. "It's a good thing."

Oakland defensive lineman Warren Sapp doesn't doubt that Rice has plenty left. The two teamed up in Tampa Bay - along with Denver's John Lynch - and helped the Buccaneers win a Super Bowl title.

"He's special," Sapp said Wednesday. "Simeon is one of the premium pass rushers in the game. He is a monster."

The Broncos used a rotational system against Buffalo, shuffling in one lineman after another. By Bates' count, every defensive lineman played at least 15 plays.

"We just like keeping the rotation going to get matchups," Bates said. "It's becoming more of a matchup game in today's game."

Rookie Jarvis Moss had never seen that many linemen used. It was almost like a fire drill.

"We stuck with the same 11 (at Florida)," he said. "But it's a nice change of pace. It shows the depth and quality of our guys."

Rice pictures himself as more of an every down player, once he's back in football shape. On Wednesday, Rice, along with Elvis Dumervil and rookie Tim Crowder, stayed late after practice to work with defensive coach Jacob Burney.

"I'm continuing to improve," Rice said. "You go out there and earn (playing time). That's what I'm looking to do."

Defensive line coach Bill Johnson said Rice is quickly picking up the schemes.

"He sure looks more comfortable," he said. "I think he's got a good feel for what we're doing. We're anxious to play him.

"I think he's excited to be here. If Simeon goes out and has fun playing football, I think we'll like the results."

CAPTAIN SMITH: The Broncos have added another captain to go with Lynch, Champ Bailey, Tom Nalen and Jay Cutler.

"I had the captains come to me and said that they did not feel right not having Rod Smith as their captain," coach Mike Shanahan said after Wednesday's practice. "They know if he would have been healthy, he would have definitely been one of our captains.

"Rod Smith has been a leader of this football team for a lot of years. Even when he came in as a free agent he handled himself just like a captain. It gives you an idea of what type of captains we do have to want Rod Smith as part of the group. I thought it was a heck of an idea."

The receiver is on injured reserve as he continues to recuperate from offseason hip surgery.

HEADS-UP PENALTY: How often does a head coach praise a player for committing a penalty?

In the case of Selvin Young, that's what happened. It was one penalty that didn't draw Shanahan's ire.

Early in the Broncos' game-winning drive, Cutler threw a wild screen pass to Young, and the ball went over his head. Young chased down the ball but instead of trying to jump on it -- and risk it squirting away with Buffalo defenders rapidly approaching -- he swatted the football out of bounds, drawing an illegal batting penalty.

"One of the smartest penalties I've ever had," Young said. "I looked at them (Bills defenders), sized up the situation and decided to hit it out of bounds."

The Broncos would go on to make a last-second field goal in a 15-14 win over the Bills.

After the game, Young was approached by Shanahan.

"He said it was one of the smartest plays he's seen in a long time," Young said. "So I felt extra good after the game."

EVERETT INJURY: Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams attended the University of Miami with Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who injured his spinal cord Sunday.

Williams said he spent several hours after the game talking to fellow Hurricanes alumni about their injured friend.

"After the game I called a lot of guys that we went to school with because I knew a lot of them didn't know what was going on," Williams said. "And guys called me to ask me questions and I just told them all the information that I knew.

"I'm happy that the outlook is a lot better than it was, and I hope he gets well soon," Williams said.

The University of Miami has 46 players in the NFL, more than any other school.

NATURAL INSTINCT: Safety Nick Ferguson watched both football games Monday night and noticed a lot of players dipping their heads while making a tackle, just like Everett.

"I don't think guys intentionally try to do that (duck their heads)," Ferguson said. "It seems like it's an involuntary defense mechanism. It's like you're trying to protect yourself, but you make yourself more vulnerable."

QUICK HITS: The Broncos have won their last seven home openers. ... Shanahan is 19-5 against Oakland in his career. With a win Sunday, Shanahan can join Washington's Joe Gibbs as the only active coaches with 20 regular-season wins against one team. Gibbs has beaten the Cardinals 21 times. ... CB Domonique Foxworth (ankle), TE Stephen Alexander (calf) and DL Sam Adams (team decision) didn't practice Wednesday. ... Rookie DE Tim Crowder (ankle) said he's about 85 percent and thinks he can play Sunday against Oakland.



(Copyright Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.)

http://www.9news.com/sports/article.aspx?storyid=77208

[NaptownChief]

Originally Posted by Arkansas Bronco

Oh no Napy you guys are gifted to bad we dont have a team like yours. :cough: Just go suck a tailpipe troll this is worthless banter. Go kiss herms dong and drop it.

You are doing little to help fight the stereotype about Arkansas and education. If that written in English?

[Arkansas Bronco]

Originally Posted by NaptownChief

You are doing little to help fight the stereotype about Arkansas and education. If that written in English?

No it was written in budweiser still doesnt help you dick.

[Jetmeck]

Originally Posted by NaptownChief

You boys aren't too sharp around these parts are you? I'm comparing the same fluff, feel good stories about old has beens or never will be's that they put out every year. Whether Rice does anything or not I haven't a clue but it is the same old Polly Anna BS stories regardless of who it is.

He had one down year because he was hurt. Go look up his average sack totals for the last few years .You wouldn't know talent if it stared you in the face. Freakin Chief tard...

[Arkansas Bronco]

Whats even funnier is that he [maybey she (napy)] is making C-ho look even better. I bet it is the same dyke that runs out with all those arrows in it. Go vacuum some carpet troll.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Jetmeck

He had one down year because he was hurt. Go look up his average sack totals for the last few years .You wouldn't know talent if it stared you in the face. Freakin Chief tard...

Bingo...14 sacks in 2005...only 9 games missed in his career, 8 of them last year, so there's no justification for assuming he's done...in fact there's much more for assuming he's not. Healthy...this guy's a cocked and loaded gun pointed at every opponents QB that is going to pay dividends down the road.