Bucs Gamble On Gaines Out of Gate

Simeon Rice's days with the Bucs were numbered as soon as the team spent the No. 4 overall pick on Clemson's Gaines Adams in April. But the timing of Rice's release on Thursday could come back to haunt Tampa Bay.

On one hand, the team did admirable thing by cutting Rice loose at the start of training camp and giving him ample time to sign on with another team. And there are significant questions as to whether Rice can will ever regain his Pro Bowl form after struggling through a shoulder injury that contributed to his registering just two sacks in 2006 and finishing the season on injured reserve. Rice failed a team physical this week, but even GM Bruce Allen said he expects Rice to play for another team this season.

Meanwhile, Allen and coach Jon Gruden have seriously wratcheted up the pressure on Adams. While he was the most physically gifted defender available in the draft and an excellent pickup at No. 4, Adams is still very raw. He played 7-on-7 football in high school and lacks the array of pass rush moves to consistently beat NFL left tackles. Don't be surprised if he stumbles out of the gates and the Bucs' pass rush suffers for a second consecutive season.

That scenario will prove even more painful if Rice is healthy and abusing quarterbacks for another NFL team.