Broncos sign Rice to 1-year contract

Nobody's more excited about Denver's signing of free agent sacks specialist Simeon Rice than Broncos safety John Lynch.

The two won a Super Bowl together in Tampa Bay in 2002, and both believe this reunion in the Rockies could lead to a second ring.

"He's a teammate who I loved playing with and one of the great pass rushers of all time. So, we'd be -- anyone would be -- fortunate to get him," Lynch said Monday while the sides were signing the one-year deal at Broncos headquarters.

Rice, whose 121 career sacks rank second to Michael Strahan among active players, was released by Tampa Bay this summer after the Buccaneers signed first-round draft pick Gaines Adams.

Rice had failed a physical earlier in the day after reporting to camp but has since passed his medical tests. The 33-year-old started the first eight games last year before being sidelined by a shoulder injury.

Lynch said Rice told him he was fine.

"He told me his shoulder's feeling good and he feels like he's ready to play," Lynch said.

Strahan set to practice: Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan reported to the New York Giants on Monday, six days before the season opener. Ending a holdout that may cost him more than $500,000 in fines, Strahan arrived unobserved at Giants Stadium about 4 p.m., handled some paperwork and met with general manager Jerry Reese and coach Tom Coughlin. He also took a physical and left after 45 minutes, not making himself available for comment. The 35-year-old Strahan will practice on Tuesday.

Frye to start for Browns: The suspense is over. Charlie Frye will start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns' season opener Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Frye, who started 13 games last year, battled in training camp to keep his job after coach Romeo Crennel turned the starting position into an open competition. After off-season workouts and minicamps, Frye entered training camp slightly behind Derek Anderson. Crennel wouldn't say if Frye's backup was rookie Brady Quinn, a first-round draft pick, or Anderson.

Patriots release Caldwell: The New England Patriots released Reche Caldwell, their leading receiver from last season, on Monday, when off-season addition Randy Moss and cornerback Asante Samuel returned to practice.

Caldwell had 61 receptions for 760 yards and 4 touchdowns last season but also had two key drops in the AFC championship game loss to the Indianapolis Colts.