Rice

The Detroit Lions released starting strong safety Ron Rice on Wednesday, just one day after adding unrestricted veteran Brian Walker.

The move demonstrated yet again that for most free agent actions, there is a corresponding reaction.

Rice, 29, is coming off a season marred by a neck injury that limited him to just eight games. However, he is still regarded as a productive defender and for years has been one of the most underrated strong safeties in the league. His release further crowds an already glutted safety market, but he should be among the top available players at the position.

By releasing Rice, the Lions will be rebated his 2002 base salary of $2.05 million and his 2003 base of $2.2 million. The team must carry a charge of $1.17 million against its 2002 salary cap for the remaining prorated shares of a previous signing bonus. In essence, Detroit will save about $1.465 on its salary cap this season.

The Lions on Tuesday signed Walker, who had started the past two years at strong safety for the Miami Dolphins, to a five-year, $10 million contract. Detroit is also interested in Brock Marion, the Dolphins' starting free safety in 2001.

A former Eastern Michigan star, Rice signed with the Lions as an undrafted college free agent in 1995 and quickly moved from special teams contributor to starter. He has solid range for a strong safety, is a good hitter, and has good awareness.

In seven seasons with the Lions he appeared in 79 games and started 64 contests. Rice had 385 tackles, six sacks, 12 interceptions, 32 passes defensed and two forced fumbles.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer at ESPN.com.