This news is now getting old, but I figure that it is my duty, my responsibility to my fellow 49er fans, to sound off on the whole Jerry Rice now a Raider situation.

First of all, we all knew this was coming, so its not like it is a huge shock to any of us. It was common knowledge to any Niner Faithful that we were going to release JR, although there were those select few who hoped we would re-sign him. Then we were told that JR had trimmed his suitors down to two teams, the Seahawks and the Raiders, so the realization that JR would undoubtedly be elsewhere was sinking in.

Much speculation and argument was raised over where JR would play out his final years, and pad those already Hall of Fame stats. Everyone had their reasons for why JR would go to either team, there was that whole turf vs. grass issue, the preferred coaches issue (Gruden or Holmgren?), and that un-nerving stigma that has many long-time Niners heading across the bay to play for the Faiders, oops I mean, Raiders. But in the end it turned out that the greatest receiver to ever line up on the line of scrimmage, and one of the greatest Niners of all time, signed with the team that is as “anti-Niner” as they come. Rice signs with our across the bay, cross-conference, much hated rivals, the Oakland Raiders.

So why did he sign with Oakland? How could we let a great like that get away?

To answer the first question, Rice signed with the Raiders for a few reasons, in my opinion. First, he has a chance to still play a large role in the offense with the Raiders, being out there with Tim Brown, while had he gone to Seattle, he would have been expected to become a tutor to the young guns they have there (and #80 was retired, remember Steve Largent?). Secondly, Rice signed there because it is close and convenient. His children do not have to change schools, or move, and JR’s commute will only be marginally longer. Finally, I think he signed with Oakland to avoid coming back to the ‘Stick in an opponent’s uniform, where had he gone to Seattle, he would have been back in the NFCW next year. I am sure there are several more reasons that he signed, and probably only Jerry Rice knows what was really the ultimate deciding factor.

Now onto the next question, how could we let Jerry Rice go?

Well, in this day and age of salary cap casualties, I guess no one is immune. Not even the receiver who, as CNNSI’s Don Banks puts it, “sets three NFL records every time he catches a touchdown pass”. How unfortunate is it that the Niners are under such salary cap distress that we have to release Jerry Rice, because his 2.5 million against the cap this year would be too much, or not a sound investment? It’s really unfortunate; in fact, it’s a damn shame. Today’s NFL and the salaries that are earned are forcing teams to cut loose the legends that made that team what it is. Jerry Rice epitomizes what the 49ers are, he is classy, he is a true professional, and above all, he is a winner.

But was this relationship ended simply due to money and the salary cap?

Some do not think so. Granted, the cap had a major role, but there is evidence that proves that this was more than just a financially driven decision. JR is getting old, by football standards, and he has lost a step, although he will never admit it. Maybe the Niners, while they would love to keep one of their all-time greats, just couldn’t fit him into the scheme of things. The Niners are in a serious rebuilding mode and are going with youth as opposed to crafty vets, as they had in the past. So after all he has done for this franchise, he is being discarded like a commoner? Is the NFL gotten so “what have you done for me lately”, that the greatest receiver of all time can be cut loose just like that?

Well, not really.

Although some may say that Jerry Rice was released because he was too old and wasn’t producing the way he used to, but those comments are as asinine as they are untrue. Too old? In age maybe, but no one keeps themselves in better shape or works out harder the Jerry Rice. No production? #80 hauled in 75 passes last year for a total of 805yds and 7TDs, yes these stats are meager by Rice’s standards, but those would be career highs for a lot of NFL receivers.

JR was released because of the severe monetary limitations of the 49ers these days, and had the 49ers had more money to go around, you can bet your bottom dollar that they would have signed him so that he could retire never having worn another uniform. Thankfully this story is not all bad news though, it has been reported that JR WILL retire a 49er and will go into the Hall of Fame wearing the familiar Red & Gold, and I believe JR will receive some compensation for doing so, and so he should.

But until that time comes when Jerry Rice is ready to hang ‘em up, we will have to endure the sickening sight of our beloved #80 sporting Silver & Black, and put up with those Raider “fans” taunting us for getting another one of our greats. But I can take comfort in the fact that Jerry Rice has said that he will always be a Niner, and that is something that those Raider fans cannot take away from us, no matter how many of our players they have.

I just wish that the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement could prevent this from happening, I mean, don’t you think that is so unfortunate that someone who bleeds Red & Gold now has to wear Silver & Black, all over a bunch of Green? I sure do.

Until next time…