In an emotional pregame ceremony, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers honored one of their most esteemed defensive players.
Rice’s Ring of Honor Moment and Hall of Fame Debate
Simeon Rice, who was one of the many vaunted defenders on the Bucs’ Super Bowl XXXVII defense, was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor before their game against the Arizona Cardinals. Rice now joins fellow teammates Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch, and Ronde Barber as members of the prestigious group. It seems like the perfect coronation for perhaps the most well-rounded defense in Bucs history. Some might even say that with the achievement his case for the Hall of Fame has grown ever stronger. He would join both Sapp and Brooks should that happen, but for now, Bucs fans will look fondly on a memorable career commemorated by the franchise.
From 1998 to 2005, some might say Simeon Rice was the best defensive tackle during that time period. During that time, he had 101.5 sacks, four more than Michael Strahan for most in the NFL during that stretch. To put that into perspective, while Rice is in his 14th year of eligibility for the Hall, Strahan made it in his second. There have been 36 eight year spans since the sack has become an official stat. Every player who has led the league in them during those eight year stretches has made the Hall by comparison.
Furthermore, Rice ranks in the top 25 when it comes to all time sack leaders, at 22nd with 122. Only five players, like Rice, played in the NFL for 12 years or fewer. Rice is one of two with multiple 10 sack years and the only one to have won a Super Bowl. Bucs fans most specifically though, remember him for his magical ’02 season.
A Dominant Career From Arizona to Tampa Bay
Rice was originally an Arizona Cardinal, where he won the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and made the Pro Bowl in his first year. When he became a free agent in 2000, Monty Kiffin was clamoring for his services, believing he could be one of the key pieces in a Bucs Super Bowl run. He proved to be more than right. After posting 11 sacks in ’01, Rice had perhaps his best season as a pro. He was a first team All-Pro who posted 15.5 sacks, 50 tackles, one interception, and 11 pass breakups, while also having 4 sacks in the Bucs’ playoff run. Two of those came in Bucs’ 48-21 Super Bowl XXVII victory over the Oakland Raiders. Still, some may say Rice’s case was cemented by what he did after the fact, ranking top five in the NFL in sacks with 41 over the next three seasons. In five of his 12 years in the league, he finished top five in sacks, one of only five to have achieved such a feat.
Since Rice’s eligibility, the Hall has inducted eight edge rushing players. The fact that Rice was not one of them will frustrate Bucs fans as they feel he is more than deserving. Still, being inducted into the Ring of Honor is no joke either. Hopefully, it will bolster his case enough to be honored as he should.
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