Rice a treat again

SportsLine.com Report
Sept. 6, 2000

A day after storming out of the Arizona headquarters following a meeting with general manager Bob Ferguson, holdout defensive tackle Simeon Rice returned to the team Thursday, according to SportsLine.com's Steve Schoenfeld.

Rice signed the team's one-year, $4.25 million tender and might play this Sunday night against Dallas. He practiced with the team Thursday, meaning he'd only have two practices under his belt if he plays against the Cowboys.

"Simeon has always been good at conditioning," defensive line coach Joe Green said. "So if anybody can do it early, he can. All I know is that, historically, if he has a uniform on, the coach is going to put him into the game.

"Obviously, the coaches want to work him into the lineup as soon as possible," Greene said. "I'm sure if he has a uniform on, and I'm sure he will, I'm sure he will be out there. How long? I don't know. How often? I don't know."

Apparently, all is forgiven with his teammates for his offseason remarks.

"You can't be mad at the man for his opinion," safety Tommy Bennett said. "Everybody is entitled to their opinion. If that's how he feels, that's how he feels. He's still a good person and he's still a good player. I don't think people should judge him just necessarily by his opinions."

Offensive tackle Matt Joyce concurred, saying, "You don't know how much of that was really him just talking, or just posturing for a contract and the political game. All I know is he's an awesome pass rusher and he'll help us."

HELP ON ANOTHER FRONT: When Rice returns, it will eventually allow the Cardinals to move veteran Brad Ottis back to left defensive end from right end, and allow coaches to move Cory Sears back to tackle, which along with rookies Jabari Issa and Mao Tosi, will enable Tobin & Co. to give undersized veteran tackle Tony McCoy much needed rest.

McCoy, forced to play too long in Sunday's 21-16 loss at New York, showed the effects of the constant pounding the Giants put on him.

ANDRE'S GIANT RETURN: The Cardinals are expected to get Rice's bookend, Andre Wadsworth back after the bye week next week, at which time the line will have a decidedly different look than the patchwork unit the Giants took apart.

BENNETT READY TO GO: Tobin said he plans on playing Bennett on special teams and in nickel situations against the Cowboys in an effort to ease him back into competition. Bennett suffered a torn ACL late last season in Atlanta and will be returning just 7 1/2 months after surgery.

"I was lucky that my doctor put me on a very strict regimen, which is one of the reasons I'm back so early," Bennett said.

Bennett was activated last week but didn't play, because he thought Bennett, psychologically, had some doubts about returning.

"I'm fine with it in my head," he said, laughing. "It's them (coaches) who are holding me back, which is probably a wise decision. This used to be a career-ending injury, but, fortunately, it's just a 12-month rehab anymore."

MOORE SETBACKS: On another injury front, it's possible the team won't have receiver Rob Moore around for the start of training camp next season. Moore recently had meniscus surgery, and his physician in Colorado wants to delay surgery for the torn ACL he suffered in preseason on Minnesota's fake grass for two months.

It would mean he wouldn't be ready for camp unless he's able to comeback on an 9-month rehab.