Broncos: Rice signs

by Fanball Staff - Fanball.com
Wednesday, May 25, 2005

News
The Broncos signed wide receiver Jerry Rice to a one-year contract Wednesday. Rice is expected to compete for the No. 3 or No. 4 receiver role.

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Rice's ties to Broncos coach Mike Shanahan helped land him the job… and, oh yeah, his resume is pretty good, too. Rice will likely spend as much time serving as mentor to Ashley Lelie and Darius Watts as he does as a factor in the offense.

Now Rice, go out and show the little boys how to play!

Shanahan said he feels like Rice could play another 2 years even tho Rice turns 43 once season starts...Amazing athlete

But I do wonder how much of a mentor Rice will be..Rice is the best receiver of all time but I dont think he considers himself a mentor to anyone. To me Lelie and Watts have already had a good mentor in Rod Smith to watch and learn from.

Ya they did have Smith, but in the great words of Al Wilson: "you can never have too many leaders."

True....Its just that Rice is the type of player that seems will lead by working hard in practice and being a good example rather than someone that mentors younger players....Looks like Rice will probably be the 3rd receiver which is not a bad 3rd option at all

Rice will have to compete for a 4th or 5th WR job in Denver. He's going to have to work his way up the depth chart much the same as any seasoned veteran in a new environment would have to. I don't doubt that he'll see adequate playing time, but he's not going to be starting a whole lot this season.

Rice won't be starting at all, but do expect him to see plenty of action in the re zone and on 3rd downs.

I believe that Rice will have a better season than last year and dont forget he had 67 catches just 2 seasons ago...

The thing is that Rice dosent need or want to be the number 1. He just wants to keep playing the game that he loves so much. He dosent need the money or pro bowls, just dosent wanna let go of the game. He will probably see marginal playing time and like we've said before, lead by example on the field and in the lockeroom.

Ashley Lelie has near-Moss level talent and if Rice does anything to help him unlock it he's more than earned his check. Also, just watch, 2-3 ties a season he'll show flashes of the G.O.A.T!
It has been an honor to watch him and Darrell Green for decades.