zeppy

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All-time leading receiver Rice mulls retirement
Associated Press




DENVER (AP) - Jerry Rice was checked out of his hotel in Denver on Sunday, as he contemplated whether to retire or play his final season as a fourth or fifth receiver for the Broncos.

Rice survived Denver's cutdown to 53 players Saturday.
But his agent, Jim Steiner, said the NFL's all-time leading receiver had been notified by Broncos coach Mike Shanahan that he would not be their No. 3 receiver.

"That's out of the picture," Steiner said.

Steiner said Rice wanted to close out his career no lower than a third receiver.

"That's what his goal was," Steiner said. "That's what he wanted."

Workers at the hotel where Rice has stayed since he signed with Denver - a golf resort close to the Broncos facility - said Rice's golf clubs were gone, and he checked out of the hotel late last week. Steiner said Rice was in San Francisco on Sunday and a decision would likely come Monday, after he had a chance to meet with Shanahan.

The 42-year-old Rice signed with the Broncos this summer in hopes of playing a 21st season with a winner.

Midway through training camp, he moved ahead of Darius Watts as the team's third receiver. But in the third preseason game, last week against Indianapolis, Watts was playing ahead of Rice when the Broncos lined up in three-receiver sets.

In the preseason finale against Arizona, Rice played more, but that was because the starters were on the bench. Hampered by a nagging foot injury, Rice caught only four passes for 24 yards in the preseason and had trouble getting open.

Denver kept six receivers on its final roster, including Rice, Watts, Charlie Adams and Todd Devoe.

Walking off the field after Denver's final preseason game Friday, Rice told the Denver Post: "Those guys deserve to be on the field. They worked real hard. The thing is, I'm going to hold my head high if it doesn't work out."

At this point, it looks as if Watts is the third receiver and the other three are competing for the final two spots. If Denver stays with six receivers, Rice could be put in the position of being inactive for some of the team's games.


linky


I guess all I can say is that this sucks. to the greatest receiver ever.

Jabooty_3

it sucks that he would retire because hes still pretty good and can be productive

he has had an amazing career, maybe its just finally his time to step away from it all?

ditto on the goodbye

adrenaline

It would be sad to see him go. The greatest receiver ever.

adrenaline

Well he oficially hung up the cleats today! Sad to see him go. but I respect his decision.

zeppy

It's not often you see someone play for that long of a time and still carry himself with dignity and professionalism... many others out there could learn a whole lot from him.

Oh, and to Denver's coaches for not giving him the 3rd receiving spot... seriously... he's Jerry fucking Rice.

joerockhead

I am amazed at the Stats the man put up!

20 years in the league is a feat in itself.

Greatest WR ever!

He was the Bronoc's 4th WR, so he decided to leave on his own terms.

Best of luck in the future, thanks fro trying out with my team, and if your future is 1/2 as good as your FB career, you will be GREAT again.

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throatyogurt

Yeah, I didn't draft him in the WR fantasy league either....

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Jabooty_3

It sucks that he had to go out like this, but still did it with a good amount of dignity.

Many people have never known of an NFL without him, he will be missed throughout the league. I wonder how long until he gets into some sort of coaching position?

jbarnes_1313

maybe never? Many of the greatest don't make good coaches because they don't really understand what it is like to not be super talented. Maybe he should have retired ceremonially with the 49ers though.

adrenaline

Sorta like emmitt did with the cowboys.. That would have been cool for Jerry to do that.. But I think the 49ers didn't show him much respect the last few years he was there.

Jabooty_3

I think theres a good change of him still having some kind of ceremony going on with the 49ers.

I get what you're saying about the coach. But it is hard for people to not try to get the great players to try coaching.

jusskisscharlie

It's good that he's retiring on a pretty good note, i have his rookie card!

KingOnanThe1st

Big Niner fan here....Hat's off to the greatest receiver ever and the number one TD guy of all time....ye it would've been nice to see him sign back with Niners and then gracefully call it a day with them but there probably was some friction with the current owners...after all those fucks decided to go with Terrell Owens and we know what came of that...If Eddie DeBartolo was still owner you can be sure Jerry would've came home to retire...