Seattle Decides to Cut Rice

Jerry Rice was released by the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, perhaps signaling an end to the career of the greatest receiver in NFL history.

The release was announced in a short statement from the team, which acquired the 42-year-old Rice from the Oakland Raiders in a trade last season.

“We are grateful to Jerry and the role he was willing to fill for the Seahawks last year,” Coach Mike Holmgren said in the statement. “He is one of the greatest players in the history of our game and we wish him nothing but the best.”

Rice is the career leader in receptions with 1,549, in total yards with 22,895 and in receiving touchdowns with 197. He also leads in total touchdowns with 207, 32 more than Emmitt Smith, who announced his retirement earlier this month.

Rice indicated after the Seahawks were eliminated by the St. Louis Rams in the playoffs last month that he still was interested in playing.

“He’s going to evaluate the landscape over the next several months,” said his agent, Jim Steiner. “I think the fire still burns for him.”

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Cornerback Ty Law, who helped the New England Patriots win two Super Bowls but watched when they won their third because of a broken foot, was released so the Patriots wouldn’t have to pay him a salary cap-busting $12.5 million next season.

Law, a 10-year veteran, holds franchise records with 36 interceptions and six regular-season touchdowns on interceptions. He also scored on an interception return when the Patriots beat the St. Louis Rams in 2002 for their first NFL title.

Law, 31, was in the final season of a seven-year, $51-million contract. Even before he broke his foot and sat out the last 12 games, the cap-conscious team was not expected to bring him back at his full salary.

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Muhsin Muhammad was released by the Carolina Panthers after they were unable to come to terms with the All-Pro receiver.

The Panthers had been trying to renegotiate Muhammad’s contract because his current deal would have counted more than $12 million against the salary cap next season.

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Ram running back Marshall Faulk has agreed to a pay cut that will essentially guarantee he’ll end his career with the team.

Faulk, an 11-year veteran who turns 32 today, just finished the third year of a seven-year contract. He would have made $6 million in 2005.

Under the new four-year deal, Faulk gets a $2-million signing bonus and will earn $2 million in 2005 and in 2006.