Simeon Rice last played a down in the NFL during the George W. Bush Administration. The year was 2007, and Carrie Underwood was jus named best new artist at the Grammy Awards.
Yeah, that was a long time ago.
Now, at 43 years old, Rice wants to make a comeback. Not only that, he wants to return to the Buccaneers and believes he has 12 sacks in him. .
“They have no pass rush,” Rice said, via the Tampa Bay Times. “None. I can get them to the playoffs. They got 10 games left. I got 12 sacks in me. Easy work.”
Rice is right about one thing here. Tampa Bay ranks dead last in the NFL with seven sacks in six games. The team also just placed second-year pass rusher Noah Spence in injured reserve.
Even then, the idea that a 43-year-old retired player who hasn’t suited up since the Dixie Chicks were major newsmakers is a bit absurd. Rice recorded 122 sacks in his 12 NFL seasons. He should be a lock for Canton at some time in the future. This doesn’t mean the Bucs will take him up on the offer. Or does it? Time will tell here.