No more Rice please....

[MadScott]

Is this the end finally for Jerry Rice?

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=532433

KIRKLAND, Wash. Feb 25, 2005 — Jerry Rice was released by the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, perhaps signaling an end to the career of greatest receiver in NFL history.

The release was announced in a short statement from the team, which acquired the 42-year-old Rice from Oakland in a trade last season.

"We are grateful to Jerry and the role he was willing to fill for the Seahawks last year," coach Mike Holmgren said in the statement. "He is one of the greatest players in the history of our game and we wish him nothing but the best."


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Rice is the career leader in receptions with 1,549; total yards with 22,895; and receiving touchdowns with 197, all far ahead of the closest pursuer. He also leads in total touchdowns with 207, 32 more than Emmitt Smith, who announced his retirement earlier this month.

Rice indicated after the Seahawks were eliminated by St. Louis in the playoffs last month that he still was interested in playing.

"I still feel like I have football left in me, a lot of football in me," he said.

However, it remains to be seen whether there is a team who might be interested in signing a 42-year-old, who began his career with San Francisco in 1985 and was on three Super Bowl winners with the 49ers, winning the Super Bowl MVP in 1989. Audrey D'Onfrio, a spokeswoman for the receiver, said it was too early for such speculation.

Rice's possible return to San Francisco has been a hot topic in the Bay Area, but new 49ers coach Mike Nolan has mostly discouraged such speculation. Earlier this week, Nolan acknowledged the club had discussed signing Rice so he could retire with San Francisco, but Nolan doesn't believe Rice would be able to play regularly with the Niners.

"It's my understanding in our discussions that Jerry still wants to test the market and see if someone is interested in having him on the team as a full-time participant," Nolan said Tuesday. "If he wants to retire (with the 49ers), that is certainly something that we would be very open to, but it's my understanding that those aren't his desires."

[Dr. Duran Duran]

It would really be sad to see him go out like that. He'll follow suit with guys like Unitas and Namath as guys who hung on just a little too long by going to another team only to discover their days had long passed. Maybe the Niners will grab him for one last hurrah?

[Mercer Boy]

I just hope he signs a one-day contract and retires with his rightful team. I doubt any team (not even SF) is going to use him as a starter at this point...he'd be a 3rd down guy or reserve that they'd have to waste a special team guy on.

Come home, Jerry. Take your place among the greats with your 49er brothers and enjoy the rest of the ride.

[disgruntledjetsfan]

It really is a shame that this has to be the end for Jerry Rice. He should have retired a long time ago instead of staying around this long. I agree with Duran that the 49ers should just grab him for this year.

[MadScott]

I guarantee that he will sign a one day contract and retire a 49er when he does retire. If they could do that for Roger Craig after that fumble that kept them from going on to a third consecutive Super Bowl, they certainly can do it for Jerry.

[no1cowboysfan]

yes, he should sign with SF before he takes his leave. But it still sounds like he wants to keep playing...

Jerry... follow Emmitt's lead...

[SeaWolf]

Glad he's gone. Didn't really want him when we traded for him, then he took #80 from Largent.

Now if we could only get rid of Bobbleson.

Feb has been a great month for us.
1) Walter finally has a long term contract.
2) Whittsitt is gone.
3) Hass signed long term.
4) Alexander was franchised, so we can at least get something from him when he leaves.
5) Rice is gone.

Let's hope that March is just as good.