Jery Rice would like to return to the Niners

#1
Not sure if this has been posted. Just read this on Sacbee.com. I would be like to see Jerry back in a 49ers uniform. He stated that he would like to return for one more year. I konw he is over the hill and performance wise probably would not do much. However, it would be just like if Vlade returned to the Kings for one more year. He would be a great influence for the younger recieving corp.

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/football/sf_49ers/story/12774011p-13625039c.html

Rice says he'd like to return to 49ers

By Jimmy Spencer
Published 2:15 am PDT Saturday, April 23, 2005

Jerry Rice would like to return for one more season as a member of the 49ers.

"I would like to play one more year with the 49ers so I could go around and thank the fans," Rice told the Arco Arena crowd at the MADD Backer Foundation charity basketball game Friday night.

Rice said he will return to the 49ers if it fits into their plans.

"I'm going to retire as a 49er either way, but I'd like to do it with one more season. I think it would be great for the Bay Area," Rice said.

Rice is a free agent after being released by the Seattle Seahawks at the end of last season.

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Fillmoe

Guest
#2
thats awesome he could be of use to our young guys like Brandon Lloyd, Rashuan Woods, Arnaz Battle... i think it would be a good idea to pick up Jerry Rice
 

SLAB

Hall of Famer
#4
I think it would be great!

Our youngin's would get to learn from the best, and Rice would retire where he is supposed to retire...In the crimson and gold!

Do it York.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#6
I abhor and detest Dr. York for what he's done to this team in the past. If he is now willing, as reports have indicated, to do what it takes to restore the 49ers to a team in contention, I hope he'll consider bringing back a future hall-of-famer to the Red and Gold for his final year.
 
#8
How effective was Rice last season? I didn't get to see him play at all when he was up in Seattle.

Rice ending his career in San francisco would be a Good Thing, sorta something that makes you all fuzzy inside. It'd give him a chance at a gushy farewell speech and a standing O from the place he made a name for himself. But going to be able to make an impact on the worst team in the NFL?
 

SLAB

Hall of Famer
#9
Nolan is lobbying against Rice, because apparently he wouldn't work in the system they are going for.

The 9ers are not doing anything next year, so I don't see what could hurt. Give Rice the chance to retire where he belongs. Give our youngsters a chance to play under the guidance of the best ever. I say go for it.
 

6th

Homer Fan Since 1985
#10
SLAB said:
Nolan is lobbying against Rice, because apparently he wouldn't work in the system they are going for.

The 9ers are not doing anything next year, so I don't see what could hurt. Give Rice the chance to retire where he belongs. Give our youngsters a chance to play under the guidance of the best ever. I say go for it.
WORD!!!
 
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Fillmoe

Guest
#12
NINERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I remember when SF was the premiere team in the league...... boy does York know how to F crap up in a hurry..........
 
#13
I don't think the Niners are going to do a complete turnaround next year with all of the changes going on so what would it hurt to sign him and let him be the "elder statesman" to the new guys while being a fourth or fifth receiver? Sometimes it's more about what the fans want and not all about winning.
 

SLAB

Hall of Famer
#14
I don't think the Niners are going to do a complete turnaround next year with all of the changes going on so what would it hurt to sign him and let him be the "elder statesman" to the new guys while being a fourth or fifth receiver? Sometimes it's more about what the fans want and not all about winning.
I completly agree. And it would benefit. The recievers would learn a bunch under Rice. I mean, with or oldest reciever being B. Lloyd, I think a vetran would be a great addition. A mentor for Woods, Battle, Lloyd, and the other guys would definatly not be a bad thing. I really think vetran leadership would benefit this core greatly.

And to think, he would be someone Alex Smith would have confidence in throwing to. I think that "Wow, I'm throwing to the greatest reciever in the history of the NFL" would make a kid feel happy.
 
#15
I hate the niners but agree that Rice should retire as one.

MEMO TO YORK and Nolan... Take a page out the Dallas playbook and let one of the best players to ever play for this franchise to retire in a 49ers uniform.
 
#16
Maybe Rice can do a "Roger Craig" style retirement; sign for one day at training camp, put on a Niner jersey, and then announce his retirement from football the next day.
 
#17
crypticone said:
Rice says he'd like to return to 49ers
As a coach, right? A scout, maybe?

I love Jerry as much as the next avid football fan, and he was the greatest wide receiver ever, as far as I know. But when it's time, it's time.

It's time, Jerry.
 
#18
He's old...he isn't what he used to be...he won't fit into the system...

blah blah blah...who cares! What is he going to make them bad? Sign him for a year. He can help the youngins and the fans and Jerry will be happy. If the Niners were good it would be a different story, but their not, so give people that warm and fuzzy feeling by giving Jerry one final go back where he belongs.
 
#19
I totally agree, bad as the niners were last year, what could it hurt and after all he's given to the team it's the least they can do to let him retire there.
 
#20
The argument that they aren't going to be any good anyway so why not bring him back is a good one. I just don't think Nolan believes it, and as I understant it he has been given power over things like this. He may very well be crazy to believe that they have a chance to compete, but as a fan I'd prefer a coach who actually thinks his team has a chance. Especially when that coach has yet to coach even a preseason game with the team.
 
#22
The Niners have offered to sign Rice to a one day contract and let him retire with the team. Nolan is right- he can't produce anymore and would just be a big distraction to the team. If he can teach the younger players and help them grow, that means he should be brought on as an assistant, not a player. He may be the greatest of all time, but giving him a contract only puts us in a worse position because that's throwing away money that could be spent on a young, more talented player that we can develop for the future. From a sentimental standpoint, it's nice to see him come back. From a football standpoint, putting him on the field makes no sense. Later this summer, he's gonna realize his time has come and will sign on for a day and have a big ceremony to send him out and get ready for Canton.
 
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Fillmoe

Guest
#23
i would more than welcome jerry back as a wide receiver coach/trainer..... but as a player its been his time for about 2 years now to retire
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#24
captain bill said:
The Niners have offered to sign Rice to a one day contract and let him retire with the team.
That works for me, and I think it will work for Jerry. All he wanted was to retire as a 49er...
 
#25
Rice is old. If we sign him, that's guaranteeing that we will finish 1-15, as opposed to maybe 2-14 or dare I say, 3-13.

I can't believe this is even an issue. With Rice, we will suck. Without him, we will suck. Just sign him and let him finish off his career with the team he started with.
 
#26
Love ya Jerry

Prior to the salary cap, I'd agree with the idea to sign Jerry for the year to help the younger guys learn the work ethic it takes to win. Unfortunately the minimum salary for a veteran of his years would make that a really tough situation. As much as I'd like to see Jerry catch just one more touchdown (or first down) in red and gold, I'm for the one day contract and retirement. Hopefully they'll wait to schedule Jerry Rice Day at the stick for 2006 when there's a good chance of a win. :cool: NINERS!!!!!!!
 
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Fillmoe

Guest
#27
JayBird said:
Rice is old. If we sign him, that's guaranteeing that we will finish 1-15, as opposed to maybe 2-14 or dare I say, 3-13.

I can't believe this is even an issue. With Rice, we will suck. Without him, we will suck. Just sign him and let him finish off his career with the team he started with.
we will win more than 5 games this year...... QUOTE IT WHEN IM RIGHT!
 
#30
As I said before. Take a page out of the Dallas Playbook. He has earned the right to retire as a niner. One of the greatest WR's if not the best ever. I would argue the best ever. As much as I hate to say that about any niner player.

If he is ready to retire then let him sign the one day contract and retire as one. He has earned that IMO just as Emmitt did.