EBF
Footballguy
I think now may be the last opportunity to get Sidney Rice for a reasonable price. If you can find an owner who's lost patience, buy now. Here's my reasoning:
1. Rice is the best WR on the Vikings and possibly one of the better young WRs in the league. Rice lacks elite speed and running strength, but he makes up for it with size and athleticism. He seemed to make at least one highlight reel type grab every game last season and has already shown a knack for making difficult catches in the end zone. This is something he also showed during his college career. Berrian is getting paid the big bucks, but he's a finesse player who's frequently banged up. Most Bears fans will tell you that he was overrated all along. Yes, he's a good deep threat and he can make some nice catches, but he's not a complete WR and he lacks the physicality to be a reliable WR1 in the NFL. Rice is the better overall WR.
2. Rice's talent has been obscured by a lack of opportunities and a weak supporting cast. Had Rice gone to a team like New Orleans or Seattle, he'd be putting up numbers and his value would be a lot higher. The fact that he's been held back by a horrendous supporting cast is actually a good thing in dynasty leagues because it's helped keep his abilities a secret from the other owners in your league.
3. The QB situation will soon be upgraded. Tarvaris Jackson isn't the answer. Most people have known this for a year or two. Now Brad Childress finally knows it. Jackson is on a very short leash. I predict he'll be replaced by midseason and probably sooner. Whoever replaces him can't be any worse. If Frerotte doesn't perform, the Vikings will be on the lookout for a new QB in the offseason. That could mean Derek Anderson, Matthew Stafford, Brady Quinn, Donovan McNabb, Matt Cassel, Kevin Kolb, or any number of QBs capable of getting the ball to Rice. Basically, there's nowhere to go but up.
4. Rice has gotten off to a slow start this season. Most people are not patient. Even if Rice's owners were initially very high on him, their faith has probably started to sag. They see the meager stats. They see the knee injury. They see the terrible QB. What they don't see is the light at the end of the tunnel. It's about to get a whole lot better for Sidney Rice.
1. Rice is the best WR on the Vikings and possibly one of the better young WRs in the league. Rice lacks elite speed and running strength, but he makes up for it with size and athleticism. He seemed to make at least one highlight reel type grab every game last season and has already shown a knack for making difficult catches in the end zone. This is something he also showed during his college career. Berrian is getting paid the big bucks, but he's a finesse player who's frequently banged up. Most Bears fans will tell you that he was overrated all along. Yes, he's a good deep threat and he can make some nice catches, but he's not a complete WR and he lacks the physicality to be a reliable WR1 in the NFL. Rice is the better overall WR.
2. Rice's talent has been obscured by a lack of opportunities and a weak supporting cast. Had Rice gone to a team like New Orleans or Seattle, he'd be putting up numbers and his value would be a lot higher. The fact that he's been held back by a horrendous supporting cast is actually a good thing in dynasty leagues because it's helped keep his abilities a secret from the other owners in your league.
3. The QB situation will soon be upgraded. Tarvaris Jackson isn't the answer. Most people have known this for a year or two. Now Brad Childress finally knows it. Jackson is on a very short leash. I predict he'll be replaced by midseason and probably sooner. Whoever replaces him can't be any worse. If Frerotte doesn't perform, the Vikings will be on the lookout for a new QB in the offseason. That could mean Derek Anderson, Matthew Stafford, Brady Quinn, Donovan McNabb, Matt Cassel, Kevin Kolb, or any number of QBs capable of getting the ball to Rice. Basically, there's nowhere to go but up.
4. Rice has gotten off to a slow start this season. Most people are not patient. Even if Rice's owners were initially very high on him, their faith has probably started to sag. They see the meager stats. They see the knee injury. They see the terrible QB. What they don't see is the light at the end of the tunnel. It's about to get a whole lot better for Sidney Rice.
His team is built to win now (if Anderson figures it out) but his best WR3 option outside of Rice is Stallworth and the waiver wire is bone dry.
