Another Setback For Simeon Rice
November 23rd, 2024
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Simeon Rice’s Hall of Fame case remains on slow boil.
Since sacks became an official statistic in 1982, only 20 players have deposited quarterbacks on their rumps more often than No. 97, a terror off the right edge in Tampa Bay for six seasons.
Yet Rice’s name doesn’t trigger much enthusiasm among the 49 selectors who decide who will be fitted for gold jackets in Canton. It’s an enduring mystery because Rice has been eligible for induction since 2013.
Hall of Fame voters again deny retired defensive end Simeon Rice a shot to be debated for induction.
In that time, only twice has he made the list of 25 semifinalists. He advanced to the top 25 in 2018 and 2020, but was eliminated both times in the cutdown to the final 15.
This month, Rice once again was not among the group of 25 semifinalists, which includes edge rushers Jared Allen, Terrell Suggs and Robert Mathis. Only the 15 finalists get to hear their case heard, so Rice’s compelling resume remains buried in the shadows.
If you saw Simeon Rice play, whether it was with the Cardinals or Bucs, you know he was a consistent game-wrecker.
From 1998-2005, his 101.5 sacks were tops in the league.
He was very good in Arizona and even better in Tampa, where he registered 69.5 sacks, 19 forced fumbles, 4 interceptions, 37 passes defended and 67 tackles for loss in only 87 games before a shoulder injury led to his release in 2007.
For an eight-season stretch, no NFL player had more sacks than Simeon Rice.
When the games counted the most, Rice was at the top of his game.
In five postseason matchups as a Buccaneer, Rice posted seven sacks and four forced fumbles. He could easily have been named MVP of Tampa Bay’s 2003 Super Bowl victory, but the league wanted the media votes in early and Dexter Jackson had already made his mark with a pair of interceptions.
During his Hall of Fame speech in 2014, Derrick Brooks lauded Rice as “one of the best, if not the best pass rushers of his generation.”
So what’s the holdup?
Not every outstanding pass rusher sails into Canton.
Allen has been waiting his turn, despite ranking 12th all-time with 136 career sacks. Leslie O’Neal finished with 132.5 sacks, the same as Lawrence Taylor, yet he never made it into the discussion room as a modern-era candidate. He’s now languishing in the senior abyss, with dozens of other outstanding candidates waiting their turn.
The same fate could befall Rice, who was the second-fastest player to 100 sacks behind Reggie White.
“There’s no Hall of Fame without me in it,” Rice says. “I dominated when I played. There was nobody better at my position — nobody.”
That might be hyperbole, but Rice isn’t far off.
He was too athletic and smart for most left tackles to handle. And with Warren Sapp aligned off Rice’s left shoulder in Tampa Bay’s 4-man front, offensive coordinators faced an immense challenge in keeping quarterbacks upright.
You can’t blame Rice for being frustrated.
At the age of 50, he knows his Hall of Fame chances appear to be slipping away. The Hall of Fame panel is getting younger and soon there will be voters who never saw Rice come off the right edge with fury and precision.
There were many times when I saw Rice running laps around the field well after practice had ended. He kept himself in peak condition — and that’s why his shoulder injury in 2006 was so surprising.
When the Bucs released him the following summer, it seemed to be a rash move, but in essence, Rice’s glorious career was over.
He took a course at the New York Film Academy in 2009 and directed some projects, but he never quite got football out of his blood.
In 2017, he talked about a career comeback with the Buccaneers. He was only half-joking. Rice dealt with bouts of depression after his retirement, but he seems to be in a good place.
The Glazers should seriously consider Rice for the Buccaneer Ring of Honor. He was the final piece of a historic defense. If his case is ever heard by Hall of Fame voters and he’s passed over, Rice can live with that.
Somehow, some way, he’s got to get into the room where it happens.
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November 23rd, 2024 at 5:16 pm
Work harder, Ira. Those stats are eye opening. This has nothing to do with Ira. The presenters only get involved if a player makes it to the finals. Rice isn’t getting to the semis. –Joe
He was an offbeat dude at times and he had many games where he was invisible.
But come on. How many ahead of him on sacks is not in? How many close are in with no Super Bowl.
If I was you, I’d target every “no” vote and send them a link to his best plays, comments from DB and Tony Dungy. And I’d demand an explanation of “why not?”
Then, plead your age and tell people that you’re not leaving Planet Earth until you get him in.
And why is Alstott never mentioned?
November 23rd, 2024 at 5:17 pm
Rice should already be in the HOF.
But when it comes to the Ring of Honor, that should to #32 RB JAMES WILDER, the best RB the team has had. Why is JDub not in the Ring of Honor.
Then get Simeon, the Cosmic one, up next ROH.
November 23rd, 2024 at 5:37 pm
Can’t understand why the bucs get so little respect in this league. If he was with the Packers, Steelers, Giants, Cowboys he would already be in.
November 23rd, 2024 at 7:13 pm
My apologies, Ira.
November 23rd, 2024 at 9:05 pm
One of those guys that when we needed a play…. would just make it. Ask Donavan McNab…..
November 23rd, 2024 at 9:45 pm
The reason why he’s been black balled in the Hall of Fame is because of the disparaging comments he made about that Cardinal player who was killed in action after he left football to go fight in Afghanistan. People have long memories and won’t forgive him for that. This might be America and you might have freedom of speech but still you best watch what you say. He’s the Pete Rose of the NFL
November 23rd, 2024 at 11:43 pm
DavidBigBucsFan99,
“that Cardinal player” His name is Pat Tillman. A bigger man than you or I. Show some respect.
November 24th, 2024 at 12:59 am
Simeon Rice is one of the best Pass Rushers of all time. Belonged in the HOF since 2002 and should have already entered Ring of Honor. Gotta make this happen sooner or later Ira. Bucs fans know he was way better than strahand. Simeon4HOF
November 24th, 2024 at 1:46 am
Only voters can make it happen. Know Ira could eventually close the presentation if he made it to the final 15 consistently enough.
November 24th, 2024 at 7:44 am
It’s odd to me that Dwight Freeney got in no problem but Simeon Rices stats are just as good in waaaaaay waaaaay less games give it up if you’re not up to the challenge Irv
November 24th, 2024 at 9:12 am
When you have the Cardinals and Bucs on your resume, the mountain gets much steeper to climb…
November 24th, 2024 at 10:02 am
Keep fighting for him Ira. If taking over the game qualifies, Simeon should easily be in. During his time with the Bucs it was not unusual to see him take over the game. The Bucs of that era were not the Bucs without him , no doubt. Sure he had Sapp along side him, but you can’t deny he often took over the game and made many game changing plays.In the thick of battle somehow you knew Simeon may make the play and he usually did!!!. If that doesn’t qualify for the hall, I don’t know what does. Dring his time in Tampa he dominated like no other. Put him in the Hall where he belongs. With that said He should have already been in the Bucs Ring Of Honor?, I am not sure what they are waiting on. The Glazers should have already made that decision.He excited the fans and was key in many of the games the Bucs played during that time. One of the best on the field at the time no doubt. Put him in
Thanks
November 24th, 2024 at 10:19 am
ROH most definitely.
November 24th, 2024 at 10:31 am
Well, I guess it would make it much more difficult to try stating his case when he can’t even get into the Bucs ROH. I hadn’t even noticed that before. It’s a travesty. Makes no sense. Dungy, Chucky, Brooks, Lynch, Barber, & Sapp ALL need to get together, & start shouting from the rooftops in making his case. ASAP. I didn’t think it was right either, that DFreeney got in before HIM. The only reason he did was because he played in SO MANY ‘big-time’ nationally televised ‘prime-time’ games with Manning… And, he was the ONLY ‘big name’ player that defense even had on the roster during those first few seasons. HE basically, was their entire “Defense.” Rice, on the other hand, was another (‘quiet’) piece on a LOUD and LOADED DEFENSE, making it hard for him to really stand out. Freeney stood all alone.
November 24th, 2024 at 10:39 am
It’s really not fair and the NFL should start being more involved (and interested) in getting some of their ‘all-time’ greats from their ‘smaller’ markets, THE respect that they deserve. Make-It RIGHT.
November 24th, 2024 at 10:41 am
I am afraid that Lavonte David wil end up suffering the same exact fate.
November 24th, 2024 at 3:10 pm
LVD belongs in the HOF no question