Sidney Rice Outlook (1 Viewer)

[Our Gang]

I know he exploded when Favre came on the scene, but he seems to "get it" now. He finished: 84/1313/8 after starting his first 2 games with 5/45/0.

While last season was a breakout, do you guys feel he will improve.

My prediction: 90/1450/10

 

[theglorydays]

And i dropped him after week 2 and it cost me the league...

 

[FantasyTrader]

I'm in the vast minority who believe Rice is a stud in the making, that his success last year had very little to do with Favre. In fact, I would argue there were multiple plays last year that Rice was behind everybody and had to outright STOP to catch the Favre bomb. Now who knows, maybe a lesser QB never even sees Sid. Maybe a lesser QB doesn't even get it as far as Favre did. What I do know is that, Rice could have easily had 3-5 more touchdowns than he had last year.

The other thing to factor in is how many of Rice's shorter TD's were throws that most other QB's wouldn't make? I'm rambling but - bottom line is that I think Rice's '09 had very little to do with Brett Favre. I think Sid is the real deal.

 

[sho nuff]

I'm in the vast minority who believe Rice is a stud in the making, that his success last year had very little to do with Favre. In fact, I would argue there were multiple plays last year that Rice was behind everybody and had to outright STOP to catch the Favre bomb. Now who knows, maybe a lesser QB never even sees Sid. Maybe a lesser QB doesn't even get it as far as Favre did. What I do know is that, Rice could have easily had 3-5 more touchdowns than he had last year.The other thing to factor in is how many of Rice's shorter TD's were throws that most other QB's wouldn't make? I'm rambling but - bottom line is that I think Rice's '09 had very little to do with Brett Favre. I think Sid is the real deal.

While I agree he is talented and coming around to that and people need to remember the old 3 year breakout for WRs...you just made a case for a lot of it being Favre.Your last line was part of it, how many other QBs would make some of the throws or take the chances that Favre did to give Rice the chance to make the catch.Perhaps he was being held back by QBs not taking some shots where Favre would.

 

[Black]

I'm in the vast minority who believe Rice is a stud in the making, that his success last year had very little to do with Favre. In fact, I would argue there were multiple plays last year that Rice was behind everybody and had to outright STOP to catch the Favre bomb. Now who knows, maybe a lesser QB never even sees Sid. Maybe a lesser QB doesn't even get it as far as Favre did. What I do know is that, Rice could have easily had 3-5 more touchdowns than he had last year.The other thing to factor in is how many of Rice's shorter TD's were throws that most other QB's wouldn't make? I'm rambling but - bottom line is that I think Rice's '09 had very little to do with Brett Favre. I think Sid is the real deal.

Supporting that theory...I just was watching an NFL replay game this week on NFLN, where there were at least two on-sides kicks kicked at MIN. Both were handled by Sidney when he jumped and hung in the air, highpointing the ball and tucking it away. He's definitely got some amazing skills.I see him as a top 10 WR, possible top 5. I think he has a better chance with Favre, but should do just fine regardless.

 

[Jason Wood]

Not sure why this thread got locked, I'm wondering if it was by accident?

I'm going to unlock it temporarily and then see if I can find out if there's a reason that I can't discern.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I'm in the vast minority who believe Rice is a stud in the making, that his success last year had very little to do with Favre. In fact, I would argue there were multiple plays last year that Rice was behind everybody and had to outright STOP to catch the Favre bomb. Now who knows, maybe a lesser QB never even sees Sid. Maybe a lesser QB doesn't even get it as far as Favre did. What I do know is that, Rice could have easily had 3-5 more touchdowns than he had last year.

The other thing to factor in is how many of Rice's shorter TD's were throws that most other QB's wouldn't make? I'm rambling but - bottom line is that I think Rice's '09 had very little to do with Brett Favre. I think Sid is the real deal.

I don't think you're in a vast minority, I think you're in a vast majority. I don't know anyone who doesn't think S. Rice is a young stud in the making.

Against Dallas in the NFC Championship, he made several outstanding grabs with people draped all over him. He reminded me of Larry Fitzgerland, he was just bigger than the Dallas defenders who were right on him and he caught the ball.

You obviously need a QB throwinig you the ball. Even Randy Moss needed to get out of Oakland and into New England to put up quality numbers so I'm going to temper my enthusiasm until we know who is throwing him the ball but ya, the guy has a right to improve slightly off last year's numbers if everything comes together like last year.

If you have some chump throwing him the ball, even if it's Hasselbeck, I don't think he gets 1350 and 10 Td's, and that's because of the Qb.

 

[JamesTheScot]

He's definitely the real deal.

But that doesn't mean he isn't QB dependant just like T.Owens, R.Moss, C.Ochocinco and C.Johnson are. All these guys have shown they are the real deal but can be limited by poor QB play.

As a young up and comer, he's worth risking your WR1 spot on him if Favre or some other quality QB is tossing him the ball. But if that QB isn't there, you've got to temper your expectations. It's not just the quality of the QB, it's also what the quality of the QB does to the OC's gameplan. If you couple a lower completion % with fewer attempts, that's a recipe for significantly fewer opportunities for Rice.

That said, Rice was just taken in our league's franchise tag system for the 4th highest WR salary after L.Fitz, A.Johnson and R.Moss (and the winning bidder gave up rookie picks as well). And he wasn't the only bidder.

I think that's a little high, but I'd be comfortable pencilling him into the 8-13 range if I think Favre is coming back.

 

[TheDirtyWord]

I thought in watching him last year that he was the best young WR in football as it relates to going up and catching the ball in traffic. Seems to have an uncanny knack in this area which bodes well for the amount of targets he'll see. I like his future prospects.

 

[travdogg]

I like Rice a lot going forward. I think the QB is somewhat overrated in the long run. As long as its someone competant it'll be fine, Rice(and Harvin for that matter) don't need to be catching passes from a HOF'er to be productive.

I think both Rice and Harvin will be top-15 WR's if Favre is back. I don't think Rice will quite hit the top-5, but he'll be within a few points. I actually think if anyone gets their role diminshed it'll be Shiancoe. Also, a lot of those screens to Taylor won't neccessarilly become screens to Peterson, they could become quick slants to Rice or screens to Harvin.

There's still a lot of upside to the Vikings passing game in my opinion.

 

[ty247]

I like Rice a lot going forward. I think the QB is somewhat overrated in the long run. As long as its someone competant it'll be fine, Rice(and Harvin for that matter) don't need to be catching passes from a HOF'er to be productive.I think both Rice and Harvin will be top-15 WR's if Favre is back. I don't think Rice will quite hit the top-5, but he'll be within a few points. I actually think if anyone gets their role diminshed it'll be Shiancoe. Also, a lot of those screens to Taylor won't neccessarilly become screens to Peterson, they could become quick slants to Rice or screens to Harvin. There's still a lot of upside to the Vikings passing game in my opinion.

Yes they do need to be catching passes from a top QB in order to put up top numbers.. Favre made so much happen.. extended so many plays.. and had the arm to put balls into spots only Rice could catch it.. go back and watch Rice grab some balls, that credit to him take skill to catch, but they are only in a spot that he can get them and the DB cant make a play on it.There's a lot of talented Receivers in the league, but it takes a good to great QB to elevate that player to top 5-10 status with respect to WR's

 

[Grahamburn]

Sidney Rice started dominating the Vikings WR targets from week 6 forward in 2009:

Bal: 7 targets 6 recs for 176 yards 0 TDs

Pit: 14 targets 11 recs for 136 yards 0 TDs

GB: 5 targets 4 recs for 40 yards 0 TDs

Det: 9 targets 7 recs for 201 yards 0 TDs

Sea: 7 targets 6 recs for 89 yards 2 TDs

Chi: 10 targets 6 recs for 89 yards 0 TDs

Ari: 16 targets 7 recs for 72 yards 0 TDs

Cin: 9 targets 4 recs for 39 yards 1 TDs

Car: 4 targets 4 recs for 69 yards 0 TDs

Chi: 8 targets 6 recs for 56 yards 1 TDs

NYG: 6 targets 6 recs for 112 yards 2 TDs

Dal: 7 targets 6 recs for 141 yards 3 TDs

NO: 11 targets 4 recs for 41 yards 1 TDs

In those 13 games Rice averaged 8.7 targets, 5.9 receptions, 97 yards, and .77 TDs. For those of you thinking I cherry picked the stats a little, well, I did, but by week 6 Favre and Rice were settled in, Rice was consistently getting targets, and basically they were on fire for the rest of the season. He also scored TDs in weeks 3 and 4. Those numbers average out to 94.4 receptions, 1,552 yards, and 12.32 TDs if it would have been 16 games. I'd put his ceiling somewhere around this with upside for more TDs.

For all of 2009, including the playoffs, Rice averaged 7.77 targets, 5.2, receptions, 83.11 yards, and .67 TDs.

Those numbers would give Rice 83 receptions, 1,329 yards, and 10 TDs for a 16 game season.

He should be hovering around WR5 in dynasties because of his high touchdown potential, in my opinion, but you can probably get him at a small discount with the QB uncertainty. Personally, I think he'll be fine in the future without Favre having a floor around 1,200 yards and 8 TDs.

Rice showed his monster game potential a few times during the regular season and in the playoffs, there is a ton of offensive talent keeping coverage away from him, he's option B when the Vikings get in the red zone (which should keep his TD production consistent), Favre loves him, and signs point to a return for #4 in 2010.

I'm very high on Sidney for 2010 and beyond.

 

[Routilla]

Will draft him with Favre, will pass on him with Jackson.

 

[FantasyTrader]

I'm in the vast minority who believe Rice is a stud in the making, that his success last year had very little to do with Favre. In fact, I would argue there were multiple plays last year that Rice was behind everybody and had to outright STOP to catch the Favre bomb. Now who knows, maybe a lesser QB never even sees Sid. Maybe a lesser QB doesn't even get it as far as Favre did. What I do know is that, Rice could have easily had 3-5 more touchdowns than he had last year.

The other thing to factor in is how many of Rice's shorter TD's were throws that most other QB's wouldn't make? I'm rambling but - bottom line is that I think Rice's '09 had very little to do with Brett Favre. I think Sid is the real deal.

I don't think you're in a vast minority, I think you're in a vast majority. I don't know anyone who doesn't think S. Rice is a young stud in the making.

Against Dallas in the NFC Championship, he made several outstanding grabs with people draped all over him. He reminded me of Larry Fitzgerland, he was just bigger than the Dallas defenders who were right on him and he caught the ball.

You obviously need a QB throwinig you the ball. Even Randy Moss needed to get out of Oakland and into New England to put up quality numbers so I'm going to temper my enthusiasm until we know who is throwing him the ball but ya, the guy has a right to improve slightly off last year's numbers if everything comes together like last year.

If you have some chump throwing him the ball, even if it's Hasselbeck, I don't think he gets 1350 and 10 Td's, and that's because of the Qb.

My statement had more to do with the Favre part. I'd argue there were some situations last year where Favre actually hindered Rice's value. Most everything I've read on Rice in the offseason is qualified by - if Favre returns then... I think he repeats even with some chump throwing to him. I had Sage Rosenfels as a top 10 QB sleeper last year before they signed Favre. And I'd have him there again if Favre retired tomorrow. That's what I'm in the minority about.

 

[Eminence]

Will draft him with Favre, will pass on him with Jackson.

You do realize Jackson and Rice had QUITE the connection in Rice's rookie season? ALSO Jackson only threw 1 Touchdown in his limited playing time, it was to Rice. Rice is the type of player who will get his, guaranteed. He's too phenomenal in the redzone not to get TDs.