Sidney Rice as Vikings #1 Reciever? (1 Viewer)

[Eminence]

Tarvaris Jackson threw for a total of 9 Touchdowns and 1,911 Yards last season.

Breakdown:

Bobby Wade

3 TDs

54 Receptions

647 Yards

12 Starts/16 Games played

(Career Year)

Troy Williamson

1 TD

18 Receptions

240 Yards

11 Starts/8 Games played

Adrian Peterson

1 TD

19 Receptions

268 Yards

9 Starts/14 Games played

Sidney Rice

4 TDs

31 Receptions

396 Yards

4 Starts/13 Games played

Looking at the above stats, Sidney Rice lead his team in Touchdowns while only starting 4-Times and playing 13 games in his Rookie Season. Now obviously the stats will be slightly different with the loss of Troy Williamson and addition of Bernard Berrian.

Bernard Berrian Last Season

5 TDs

71 Receptions

951 Yards

15 Starts/16 Games played

The most TD's Berrian has accumulated in a whole season of play is 6. Only two more than Sidney Rice's, Rice also having an arguably worse Quarterback. I guess my point here is, defenses will be stacking 8 men in the box opening up the passing game for Jackson. One of these receivers is going to break out as the #1, and I don't understand why people think it will be Berrian. Rice clearly has more upside than his ADP shows.

If you put Rice's numbers through Berrian's opportunity at Chicago last year, you get the following:

Sidney Rice

9 TDs

71 Receptions

906 Yards

(Which I know... isn't very valuable data.)

Now I'm not saying any Vikings Receiver is or is not going to post numbers like that... I'm just saying with the emerging of Adrian Peterson, and Bernard Berrian stretching the field... The Vikings Passing game is going to benefit, and I think Rice is going to reap all the rewards.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Rather than focus on all these WR...ask yourself how many TD TJax is going to throw...seriously. This team is built to win in every aspect except basically the QB position. Now we have seen offenses completely fail with bad QB play...think Carolina last season. Is TJax better than David Carr? I'll let you figure that out but why waste time with Rice, Berrian...what are you trying to figure out...the stats? You have no track record for Rice except last season as a rookie...did he even top 500 yds? I don't think he did but you might want to check.

Just look at Rice's ADP...somewhere in the 9th and beyond...does that seem risky to you? If not than put him on your draftable list.

Do a search too, you'll find some threads on him.

 

[Tanner9919]

Rather than focus on all these WR...ask yourself how many TD TJax is going to throw...seriously. This team is built to win in every aspect except basically the QB position. Now we have seen offenses completely fail with bad QB play...think Carolina last season. Is TJax better than David Carr? I'll let you figure that out but why waste time with Rice, Berrian...what are you trying to figure out...the stats? You have no track record for Rice except last season as a rookie...did he even top 500 yds? I don't think he did but you might want to check.Just look at Rice's ADP...somewhere in the 9th and beyond...does that seem risky to you? If not than put him on your draftable list. Do a search too, you'll find some threads on him.

 

[switz]

Just look at Rice's ADP...somewhere in the 9th and beyond...does that seem risky to you? If not than put him on your draftable list.

Rice is a steal. Really.

 

[twitch]

Just look at Rice's ADP...somewhere in the 9th and beyond...does that seem risky to you? If not than put him on your draftable list.

Rice is a steal. Really.

I think 9th round seems about right. I really like Rice as well. He'd probably be drafted as a WR3 or 4 in that position. Most likely a 3. By the 9th round, youd probably want 4 RBs secured, atleast one Q, and a TE. In this case, he'd be a WR3. Of course, you may not draft 4 RBs thru round 8. Id definitely want to at that point. But it may not work out. But you just have to ask yourself, are you comfortable with Rice as one of your starting WRs if your 1 or 2 go down to injury? It would completely depend on who the WR1 and 2 are. You give me Reggie Wayne and Braylon Edwards, and Ill probably take Sidney Rice in the 9th all day. But if my 2 lead guys arent quite up to par, Im not taking Rice that early. He's extremely young, still unproven by and large, plays on a run 1st team, and has one of the worst starting QBs in the league throwing him the ball. Which all makes him a bit of a ? as a 3rd WR. jmho. Rice in the 11th or 12th, which may or may not be possible, would be perfect, imo.

 

[NorrisB]

I think Rice is going to be worthless until 2010 when the vikes finally decide to end the TJax experiment than it will take another 2-3 years for the new QB to break in. Basically he's worthless in both redraft and dynasty. Rice is a very good receiver, maybe even similar to Larry Fitzgerald, but what good does that do for you when your start QB goes 7-21 89 yards?

 

[switz]

I think Rice is going to be worthless until 2010 when the vikes finally decide to end the TJax experiment than it will take another 2-3 years for the new QB to break in. Basically he's worthless in both redraft and dynasty. Rice is a very good receiver, maybe even similar to Larry Fitzgerald, but what good does that do for you when your start QB goes 7-21 89 yards?

Right... because QBs NEVER improve.

 

[tribecalledjeff]

I think Rice is going to be worthless until 2010 when the vikes finally decide to end the TJax experiment than it will take another 2-3 years for the new QB to break in. Basically he's worthless in both redraft and dynasty. Rice is a very good receiver, maybe even similar to Larry Fitzgerald, but what good does that do for you when your start QB goes 7-21 89 yards?

Right... because QBs NEVER improve.

Felix Jones is a better QB right now than TJax will ever be.

 

[Norseman]

I think Rice is going to be worthless until 2010 when the vikes finally decide to end the TJax experiment than it will take another 2-3 years for the new QB to break in. Basically he's worthless in both redraft and dynasty. Rice is a very good receiver, maybe even similar to Larry Fitzgerald, but what good does that do for you when your start QB goes 7-21 89 yards?

Right... because QBs NEVER improve.

Felix Jones is a better QB right now than TJax will ever be.

 

[Banger]

I think Rice is more talented than Berrian and may outperform him but the question is even if he is the #1 wr on the Vikes where does he finish FF wise? He could be the #1 wr and still finish 30th+ wr.

 

[NorrisB]

I think Rice is going to be worthless until 2010 when the vikes finally decide to end the TJax experiment than it will take another 2-3 years for the new QB to break in. Basically he's worthless in both redraft and dynasty. Rice is a very good receiver, maybe even similar to Larry Fitzgerald, but what good does that do for you when your start QB goes 7-21 89 yards?

Right... because QBs NEVER improve.

Felix Jones is a better QB right now than TJax will ever be.

bingo. Your only hope for Rice is that Jackson is benched or injured and hope that Booty will force feed him like he did with Jarrett.

 

[switz]

I think Rice is going to be worthless until 2010 when the vikes finally decide to end the TJax experiment than it will take another 2-3 years for the new QB to break in. Basically he's worthless in both redraft and dynasty. Rice is a very good receiver, maybe even similar to Larry Fitzgerald, but what good does that do for you when your start QB goes 7-21 89 yards?

Right... because QBs NEVER improve.

Felix Jones is a better QB right now than TJax will ever be.

Nice to see some unbiased perspective around these parts

 

[ookook]

I think Rice is going to be worthless until 2010 when the vikes finally decide to end the TJax experiment than it will take another 2-3 years for the new QB to break in. Basically he's worthless in both redraft and dynasty. Rice is a very good receiver, maybe even similar to Larry Fitzgerald, but what good does that do for you when your start QB goes 7-21 89 yards?

Right... because QBs NEVER improve.

Felix Jones is a better QB right now than TJax will ever be.

Nice to see some unbiased perspective around these parts

TJax improved the last few games and almost became an okay QB. With the defensive improvment, it will only help the passing game. I think there may be some value for Berrian in the 8th at the same time as Rice in the 10th. TJax could well throw 16 TDs. If either gets 7 TDs and 800 yards, they should be around WR20.

 

[tombonneau]

I remember TJax looked pretty good in preseason a few years ago, and spotting since. Basically, he looked like a first year starter. I think he could be a decent QB who can do enough not to lose. But with that running game, offensive line, and defense, this is a team that is not going to be passing a lot, regardless of QB.

Plus, you get into the red zone, that team is going to be run, run, run.

I won't hold my breath for any consistent production from MIN WRs.

 

[phthalatemagic]

I think Rice is going to be worthless until 2010 when the vikes finally decide to end the TJax experiment than it will take another 2-3 years for the new QB to break in. Basically he's worthless in both redraft and dynasty. Rice is a very good receiver, maybe even similar to Larry Fitzgerald, but what good does that do for you when your start QB goes 7-21 89 yards?

Right... because QBs NEVER improve.

Felix Jones is a better QB right now than TJax will ever be.

This is absolutely horrible. I'm not surprised by your profession

 

[metoo]

I'm very high on him. In a new keeper league I took him at 8.02. I think he will see more endzone targets.

 

[EBF]

Rice is a breakout candidate. He should flourish as soon as they improve their QB situation.

Berrian is really better suited to a complementary role. He can make the spectacular catch, but he's inconsistent he's had durability problems. I see him as the #2 .

 

[Hue G]

Rather than focus on all these WR...ask yourself how many TD TJax is going to throw...seriously. This team is built to win in every aspect except basically the QB position. Now we have seen offenses completely fail with bad QB play...think Carolina last season. Is TJax better than David Carr? I'll let you figure that out but why waste time with Rice, Berrian...what are you trying to figure out...the stats? You have no track record for Rice except last season as a rookie...did he even top 500 yds? I don't think he did but you might want to check.Just look at Rice's ADP...somewhere in the 9th and beyond...does that seem risky to you? If not than put him on your draftable list. Do a search too, you'll find some threads on him.

If people are weary or Rice and Berrian because of their situation why are players like Roddy White, Greg Jennings, Lee Evans, Coles, Cotchery and Donald Driver ADPs as high as they are? I don't see any of those recievers situations much better than the ones that Berrian and Rice are in and in Roddy White and Lee Evans case they may be in worse situations yet a lot of those guys are going in the top 8 rounds of 12 team drafts, some even in the top four or five. That being said I'm staying away from all these guys unless one somehow drops way down the draft board.

 

[Mr Capicollo]

If Jackson can keep himself in the lineup, I think he throws between 12 and 15 TD's, and 17-20 INT's. That offense is going to run through AP.

That doesn't leave a huge number of TD's for any one receiver, but Rice is in the best position to catch the most, say around 5-6, which isn't bad.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Rather than focus on all these WR...ask yourself how many TD TJax is going to throw...seriously. This team is built to win in every aspect except basically the QB position. Now we have seen offenses completely fail with bad QB play...think Carolina last season. Is TJax better than David Carr? I'll let you figure that out but why waste time with Rice, Berrian...what are you trying to figure out...the stats? You have no track record for Rice except last season as a rookie...did he even top 500 yds? I don't think he did but you might want to check.Just look at Rice's ADP...somewhere in the 9th and beyond...does that seem risky to you? If not than put him on your draftable list. Do a search too, you'll find some threads on him.

If people are weary or Rice and Berrian because of their situation why are players like Roddy White, Greg Jennings, Lee Evans, Coles, Cotchery and Donald Driver ADPs as high as they are? I don't see any of those recievers situations much better than the ones that Berrian and Rice are in and in Roddy White and Lee Evans case they may be in worse situations yet a lot of those guys are going in the top 8 rounds of 12 team drafts, some even in the top four or five. That being said I'm staying away from all these guys unless one somehow drops way down the draft board.

Good question Hue...allow me to break some of these down.Roddy White: I don't likeGreg Jennings: Don't like either...Without Favre he will not be able to put up 12 TD...tkae his numbers from last year and cut the TD in half...what have you got? Not a 4th round WRLee Evans: He does manage to post 7-9 TD most of the time...I still like him a lot but he needs better QB play. But the guy has a ton of talent.Coles and Cotchery: 80 reception workhorses that will post solid numbers even if Bert and Ernie are under center.Donald Driver: Steal in the 6th round, he will catch a lot of balls from Aaron Rodgers.Berrian and Rice are on a power running team, built to take upa lot of time. They have a defense behind them that cannot be run on much. Find WR that have been top15-20 with a power running game like the one the Vikes now have, and also an intimidating interior DL that allows under 75 yds a game on the ground...I don't see the potential for a 1,000 yard WR or really even an 8-10 TD scenario. Rice will have 4-5 scores, Berrian and his fat contract will get some looks...let's say they split 10 up between the two of them...how many more is TJax going to throw? The Vikes won't be in a lot of shootouts most likely.

 

[MAC_32]

Roddy White succeeded with Mark Redman, Joey Harrington, and Byron Leftwich throwing him the ball.

Dwayne Bowe succeeded with Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard throwing him the ball.

If Rice is that talented why would it matter how bad T Jax is? If you don't believe Rice is that talented then there really isn't that much debate, but if you believe in Rice don't let your impression of T Jax effect your valuation of Rice...at least not too much.

 

[joffer]

Just look at Rice's ADP...somewhere in the 9th and beyond...does that seem risky to you? If not than put him on your draftable list.

Rice is a steal. Really.

i'm looking for a reason to agree, as Rice intrigues me.I've found Herman's WR matrix helpful in the past. it predicts that a run-heavy offense, with a committee WR approach, and a C grade overall (Minnesota was C- last year), will average these values:WR1 - #48WR2 - #56not much to get excited about there. however, if you assume more of a duo profile (Berrian, Rice)WR1 - #30WR2 - #35now we're getting into the startable range.

 

[massraider]

Rice is a breakout candidate. He should flourish as soon as they improve their QB situation. Berrian is really better suited to a complementary role. He can make the spectacular catch, but he's inconsistent he's had durability problems. I see him as the #2 .

I think they are both a year away from helping anyone significantly.

 

[NorrisB]

Rice is a breakout candidate. He should flourish as soon as they improve their QB situation. Berrian is really better suited to a complementary role. He can make the spectacular catch, but he's inconsistent he's had durability problems. I see him as the #2 .

I think they are both a year away from helping anyone significantly.

I think more than that personally, they need a new QB. I think that will take longer than a year.

 

[NorrisB]

I think Rice is going to be worthless until 2010 when the vikes finally decide to end the TJax experiment than it will take another 2-3 years for the new QB to break in. Basically he's worthless in both redraft and dynasty. Rice is a very good receiver, maybe even similar to Larry Fitzgerald, but what good does that do for you when your start QB goes 7-21 89 yards?

Right... because QBs NEVER improve.

They do improve but I just don't have faith in Jackson being able to do that, plus their coach is a moron.

 

[Banger]

Rather than focus on all these WR...ask yourself how many TD TJax is going to throw...seriously. This team is built to win in every aspect except basically the QB position. Now we have seen offenses completely fail with bad QB play...think Carolina last season. Is TJax better than David Carr? I'll let you figure that out but why waste time with Rice, Berrian...what are you trying to figure out...the stats? You have no track record for Rice except last season as a rookie...did he even top 500 yds? I don't think he did but you might want to check.Just look at Rice's ADP...somewhere in the 9th and beyond...does that seem risky to you? If not than put him on your draftable list. Do a search too, you'll find some threads on him.

If people are weary or Rice and Berrian because of their situation why are players like Roddy White, Greg Jennings, Lee Evans, Coles, Cotchery and Donald Driver ADPs as high as they are? I don't see any of those recievers situations much better than the ones that Berrian and Rice are in and in Roddy White and Lee Evans case they may be in worse situations yet a lot of those guys are going in the top 8 rounds of 12 team drafts, some even in the top four or five. That being said I'm staying away from all these guys unless one somehow drops way down the draft board.

Good question Hue...allow me to break some of these down.Roddy White: I don't likeGreg Jennings: Don't like either...Without Favre he will not be able to put up 12 TD...tkae his numbers from last year and cut the TD in half...what have you got? Not a 4th round WRLee Evans: He does manage to post 7-9 TD most of the time...I still like him a lot but he needs better QB play. But the guy has a ton of talent.Coles and Cotchery: 80 reception workhorses that will post solid numbers even if Bert and Ernie are under center.Donald Driver: Steal in the 6th round, he will catch a lot of balls from Aaron Rodgers.Berrian and Rice are on a power running team, built to take upa lot of time. They have a defense behind them that cannot be run on much. Find WR that have been top15-20 with a power running game like the one the Vikes now have, and also an intimidating interior DL that allows under 75 yds a game on the ground...I don't see the potential for a 1,000 yard WR or really even an 8-10 TD scenario. Rice will have 4-5 scores, Berrian and his fat contract will get some looks...let's say they split 10 up between the two of them...how many more is TJax going to throw? The Vikes won't be in a lot of shootouts most likely.

Rice had 4 tds last year despite not starting for most of the year. If the end of last year was any indication, the Vikes may have to throw the ball in the beginning of the season due to the fact that teams will be putting 9 in the box taunting Jackson to throw the ball. Can he do it is the question? He certainly has some talent at the WR position now and Rice is a great red zone target. I think you could be underselling his td's.

 

[tombonneau]

I remember TJax looked pretty good in preseason a few years ago, and spotting since. Basically, he looked like a first year starter. I think he could be a decent QB who can do enough not to lose. But with that running game, offensive line, and defense, this is a team that is not going to be passing a lot, regardless of QB.

Plus, you get into the red zone, that team is going to be run, run, run.

I won't hold my breath for any consistent production from MIN WRs.

Is he on the rag?

"Spotty" is what I meant to type; must have been thinking of David Carr.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I think Rice is going to be worthless until 2010 when the vikes finally decide to end the TJax experiment than it will take another 2-3 years for the new QB to break in. Basically he's worthless in both redraft and dynasty. Rice is a very good receiver, maybe even similar to Larry Fitzgerald, but what good does that do for you when your start QB goes 7-21 89 yards?

Right... because QBs NEVER improve.

They normally don't have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations heaped on them so early in their starting career. Jackson doesn't live in a bubble. You don't think he realizes everyone sees him as the only weak link? That everyone in Minnesota except his family wanted Favre to come to the Vikings? That's a lot of pressure. He doesn't have time to improve-- he has to BE improved now, or by September at the latest. A mediocre season and he's finished there, and he knows it.Young QBs with too much pressure are either afraid to make a mistake (which is a mistake) or gamble too much trying to make things happen. That affects Rice. So does an emphasis on the run. So does Berrian. Rice looks like a great talent-- but he's the #2 receiver on a running team with a mediocre QB. I can't get too excited about that in 2008.

 

[Eminence]

Sidney Rice's best games of 08.

Week 4: 6 Receptions, 75 Yards, 1 TD (GB) [L 16-23]

Week 9: 4 Receptions, 66 Yards, 1 TD (SD) [W 35-17]

Week 12: 3 Receptions, 82 Yards, 1 TD (NYG) [W 41-17]

Week 13: 5 Receptions, 52 Yards, 1 TD (DET) [W 42-10]

The Rushing Totals of those weeks were:

Week 4: 112 Yards (0 TDS) Peterson

Week 9: 296 Yards (3 TDS) Peterson

Week 12: 77 Yards (1 TD) Taylor

Week 13: 116 Yards (2 TDS) Peterson

Now is it a coincidence that those 3 games above were Peterson's Top 4 performances last season? When Peterson performs, it opens up opportunities in the passing game. Everyone is predicting an even better season for Peterson next season, and if Rice is given the opportunity to start...

Now people need to realize, Tarvaris Jackson sat out 4 Games last season. If he had played all 16 games, he would have been on pace for these stats:

Tarvaris Jackson

12 TDS

2548 Yards

16 INTS

228 Completions

Realistically, still not amazing stats...

But with the addition of Adrian Peterson, causing defenses to stack 8 Men in the Box.

The addition of a relatively successful WR Berrian.

...and giving a Rookie who lead your team in TDs more starting time...

I honestly think if Jackson stays healthy he could put up 17 TDS/2700 Yards/20 INTS/245 Comp.

The Vikings Defense will allow their Offense to play alot, and I think there is enough pie to share between Peterson and Jackson.

 

[ebcpastor2004]

Sidney Rice's best games of 08.

Week 4: 6 Receptions, 75 Yards, 1 TD (GB) [L 16-23]

Week 9: 4 Receptions, 66 Yards, 1 TD (SD) [W 35-17]

Week 12: 3 Receptions, 82 Yards, 1 TD (NYG) [W 41-17]

Week 13: 5 Receptions, 52 Yards, 1 TD (DET) [W 42-10]

The Rushing Totals of those weeks were:

Week 4: 112 Yards (0 TDS) Peterson

Week 9: 296 Yards (3 TDS) Peterson

Week 12: 77 Yards (1 TD) Taylor

Week 13: 116 Yards (2 TDS) Peterson

This is good info

I honestly think if Jackson stays healthy he could put up 17 TDS/2700 Yards/20 INTS/245 Comp

& good projections IMHO

 

[metoo]

Rather than focus on all these WR...ask yourself how many TD TJax is going to throw...seriously. This team is built to win in every aspect except basically the QB position. Now we have seen offenses completely fail with bad QB play...think Carolina last season. Is TJax better than David Carr? I'll let you figure that out but why waste time with Rice, Berrian...what are you trying to figure out...the stats? You have no track record for Rice except last season as a rookie...did he even top 500 yds? I don't think he did but you might want to check.Just look at Rice's ADP...somewhere in the 9th and beyond...does that seem risky to you? If not than put him on your draftable list. Do a search too, you'll find some threads on him.

If people are weary or Rice and Berrian because of their situation why are players like Roddy White, Greg Jennings, Lee Evans, Coles, Cotchery and Donald Driver ADPs as high as they are? I don't see any of those recievers situations much better than the ones that Berrian and Rice are in and in Roddy White and Lee Evans case they may be in worse situations yet a lot of those guys are going in the top 8 rounds of 12 team drafts, some even in the top four or five. That being said I'm staying away from all these guys unless one somehow drops way down the draft board.

Rice is only 20. Get him now while you can.

 

[tex]

Roddy White succeeded with Mark Redman, Joey Harrington, and Byron Leftwich throwing him the ball.

Dwayne Bowe succeeded with Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard throwing him the ball.

If Rice is that talented why would it matter how bad T Jax is? If you don't believe Rice is that talented then there really isn't that much debate, but if you believe in Rice don't let your impression of T Jax effect your valuation of Rice...at least not too much.

I believe you meant to say Chris Redman.

 

[Tigerbot Hesh]

For this thread. I have the feeling that I will be sifting through Bowe-Holmes-Rice-Evans-A.Gonzalez-M.Harrison for my keeper league redraft in August.

 

[Cass Durham]

The Vikings offense is very intriguing this year. Last year, they hoped that Troy "stone hands" Williamson would step up and be the man. Well, that never worked out leaving Jackson with B.Wade as his number one receiver and Rice who was a rookie. So, it's obvious why the passing game never got going last year.

This year they bring in Berrian who put up 71 951 5 on a terrible Bears O with Grossman chucking the rock. Berrian should be what Williamson was supposed to be. But I like Rice quite a bit. I think this offense has the potential to put up similar numbers to that great Kansas City offense of the recent past. Berrian would be the Kennison/Hall speed threat while Rice in his second year could turn into the TonyG of this version. The only question is if Jackson can be the Trent Green. If Jackson can limit his mistakes and let the ground game do its thing, then that could mean nice yardage numbers all across the board for Jackson, Berrian and Rice. The RBs will still get the majority of the TDs, but the TD pie could increase with a much more effective passing game this year.

I will be paying very close attention to the Vikings this pre-season.

 

[ebcpastor2004]

This year they bring in Berrian who put up 71 951 5 on a terrible Bears O with Grossman chucking the rock. Berrian should be what Williamson was supposed to be. But I like Rice quite a bit. I think this offense has the potential to put up similar numbers to that great Kansas City offense of the recent past. Berrian would be the Kennison/Hall speed threat while Rice in his second year could turn into the TonyG of this version. The only question is if Jackson can be the Trent Green. If Jackson can limit his mistakes and let the ground game do its thing, then that could mean nice yardage numbers all across the board for Jackson, Berrian and Rice. The RBs will still get the majority of the TDs, but the TD pie could increase with a much more effective passing game this year.

Trent Green in Kansas City:YR TM G CMP ATT PYD PTD

2001 KC 16 296 523 3783 17

2002 KC 16 287 470 3690 26

2003 KC 16 330 523 4039 24

2004 KC 16 369 556 4591 27

2005 KC 16 317 507 4014 17

It might be a little much to expect TJax to put up Green's yardage #s, but I do think he can throw between 17 & 24 TDs. I think Rice would get the majority of red zone TDs. The real question for Tarvaris' (& Rice's) improvement will be TJax's decision-making & accuracy.

 

[moleculo]

why are people looking to Rices' #'s from last year as an indicator of success? Rookie WR's seldom do well, regardless of how great their RB is or how terrible the QB is. They typically improve in year 2. One would also expect TJax to imrpove as well.

I also think that Berrian would help Rice out - unless it's a situation where a QB throws exclusively to one WR (TO in philly, for example), a WR's production improves with a decent counterpart on the other side of the field to draw coverage.

I haven't finished my projections/rankings yet, but off the cuff, I think Rice should be Minn's WR1, and he should be maybe WR30-WR40. Not sure where that places him, but certainly draftable and worth keeping an eye on.

 

[munchkin]

why are people looking to Rices' #'s from last year as an indicator of success? Rookie WR's seldom do well, regardless of how great their RB is or how terrible the QB is. They typically improve in year 2. One would also expect TJax to imrpove as well.

I also think that Berrian would help Rice out - unless it's a situation where a QB throws exclusively to one WR (TO in philly, for example), a WR's production improves with a decent counterpart on the other side of the field to draw coverage.

I haven't finished my projections/rankings yet, but off the cuff, I think Rice should be Minn's WR1, and he should be maybe WR30-WR40. Not sure where that places him, but certainly draftable and worth keeping an eye on.

This makes sense and is where this site projects him to fall 51/663/5. It seems pretty meager to expect a team's WR1 to catch so few balls but this will obviously be a running back oriented team whether that means handing the ball off or tossing the ball to the RB's in space, especially early in the season. This team will have to open it up more as the season goes along or they will be wasting the talents of Rice and Berrian and make them too easy to defend, especially in the playoffs. I don't think it's a bad idea to move forward slowly but they do need to "grow" the offense.

 

[Big Score]

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on Rice after a couple of preseason games.

Went to the full Play-by-Play on the Vikings week 2 preseason game.

Rice was targeted hot & heavy while on the field.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Lucky to break 50/700/6.

 

[Gr00vus]

Lucky to break 50/700/6.

That's about what I have him projected for - I like this guy quite a bit and think he'll be a mild value. I'd like him even more if Ferrotte somehow ended up starting.