Sidney Rice (1 Viewer)

[FGITLOTR]

Okay, so last week Chris Carter called him out for not attending Fitz's camp, and shortly after his agent came out and said he a minor hip issue--Rice stated a few weeks ago that he was fine and would be ready for the start of training camp. Well, I don't have a link but another FF site tweeted last night that Rice is now saying he hopes to be ready for the start of the season. If true, this is much more serious than earlier anticipated. I'm trying to ascertain why the Vikings or Rice, if they/he knew about the injury back in January, waited till two weeks before training camp to figure out his options for the 2010 campaign. Was this something surgery could have addressed in February? Did Rice hide the severity of the injury from the Vikings medical staff? All questions I would love to have answered...

I own him in a dynasty league and am uncertain what I'm going to do. I guess I'm stuck since his value takes a huge hit--ride out the storm and hope he's okay by week and still be a major contributor this year. I will definitely not be counting on him to be my WR1/2 until he proves otherwise.

thoughts....

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I think you're overreacting a bit by saying you can't count on him at this point to be your WR2. At this point, he's definately starter worthy but since you're in a dynasty league and he's on your team, you're just going to have to watch how preseason plays out. If you trade Rice at this point, you can only lose as nobody is trading for Rice before you hear that Farve is 90 percent healthy and playing and that Rice is good to go to start the season. He'll be fine.

To me, the long term question about Rice is a bigger deal. More than likely this is it for Brett Farve. The question of how will that effect Rice's numbers going forward is something I'd think about during this season.

 

[CentralPA]

Wow this came out of left field. I was unaware he was even hurt? The only thing I was worried about was whether Favre was coming back and that seems to be the likely conclusion.

 

[FGITLOTR]

so, no other Rice owners are concerned about possibly being out until start of regular season? I hope he doesn't a degenerative hip issue, or something else that could curtail his season. IMHO, if he HOPES to be ready by week 1, there is major reason to be worried!

 

[FGITLOTR]

here is the article:

Sidney Rice seems to back off vow to be ready for camp

Posted by Mike Florio on July 12, 2010 9:53 PM ET

Last week was an eventful one for Vikings receiver Sidney Rice. First, he faced the Wrath of Cris, when a former Vikings receiver who all he did was catch touchdowns gave Rice a public ripping for not showing up to Larry Fitzgerald's workout camp.

Right about the same time Cris Carter said that "OTAs and all that stuff are overrated."

Then, Rice's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, disclosed that the fourth-year wideout has a hip injury, and that Rice is hopeful to be back to 100 percent by the start of the season. Rice then said he'll be ready to participate in training camp, which suggested he's already close to 100 percent.

In a Monday live chat on NFL.com, Rice said that his goal is to be "ready for the first regular season game." He said nothing about being ready to participate in training camp.

If we didn't know any better, we'd wonder whether Rice is milking the injury in the hopes of squeezing a new contract out of the Vikings.

Then again, we don't know any better. After all, Rice is a fourth-year player entering the final year of his current deal.

 

[Futz]

Could be a contract thing or it could just be that an established vet is trying to skip out on some of the early camp stuff. That's been known to happen. I'm not concerned until about August 15th.

 

[CB31]

No reason to be concerned...yet.

 

[Rushmore]

Could be a contract thing or it could just be that an established vet is trying to skip out on some of the early camp stuff. That's been known to happen. I'm not concerned until about August 15th.

Yeah, he's learned from one of the best at doing this.

 

[Futz]

Could be a contract thing or it could just be that an established vet is trying to skip out on some of the early camp stuff. That's been known to happen. I'm not concerned until about August 15th.

Yeah, he's learned from one of the best at doing this.

Seriously, I mean if Farve isn't going to show up till the second week of August why would Rice want to work on his timing with another QB?

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

The second tier of WR1s is very tightly packed this year - White, Austin, Marshall, DJax, Jennings, Colston, Wayne among others - and this news is enough for me to bump Rice to the bottom of that tier until we find out more.

Consider:

[*]Rosenhaus said this on Twitter:

Sidney does not anticipate that this injury will require surgery and he's hopeful that he will be fully healthy for the start of the season.

Sure sounds soft for an agent doesn't it? The declaration of no surgery is not 100% and the word "hopeful" is also not reassuring. [*]Rosenhaus also said the injury was lingering from the playoffs - umm, it's six months later... Rice is NOT a fast healer. His knee injury from 2008 wasn't completely healthy until part way through the offseason. He is not a receiver who relies on tight routes and being a big part of the game plan no matter what the game script is, he relies on his considerable physical gifts, so his production could be more sensitive to lingering/aggravated injuries...

[*]Even Rice's "no big deal" declaration included an admission that the docs said to rest it and that he hasn't been cutting and what-not, just running. Once again, this does not sound like something that is 100% right now, very close to the open of camp.

[*]Carter's comments seemed pretty vicious:

"I don't know. You have to ask him. I don't know what it's like to have one good year and then disappear. I don't know what it's like. That's on him. I really don't know. If I had that kind of impact on him he should have been here today." Carter was then asked if he was mad that Rice was attending camp. "I don't look mad do I?" he said. "I don't get mad about kids coming or not coming. ...Sidney is not here so I guarantee he's not getting no better today."

You have to wonder if they saw the rejection of the invitation as a dis? He used the ominous word "disappear" in his criticism, and it sure seems like there is more to this than just skipping Fitzgerald's camp[*]You also have the risk factor of Favre, who in a lot of ways made Rice's fantasy value last year by being willing to throw passes in Rice's vicinity and letting him do the rest. Jets fans can testify to how Favre's game can degrade when he is hurt.

I still think there is better chance than not (maybe even as much as 95%) that this all blows over and Rice is fine this year, still a fine low-end WR1, however, I do believe last year does represent his ceiling, and in a big group of second-tier WR1s that is tough to separate, this news is enough to ding his value down to the bottom of the group. I wouldn't even fault someone for passing on Rice to take Crabtree or Nicks a round later. While I don't want to blow this news out of proportion, when a group of fantasy players is packed so tightly, you basically have to blow some things out of proportion to achieve clarity on who to target and who to pass on.

 

[CB31]

Could be a contract thing or it could just be that an established vet is trying to skip out on some of the early camp stuff. That's been known to happen. I'm not concerned until about August 15th.

Yeah, he's learned from one of the best at doing this.

Seriously, I mean if Farve isn't going to show up till the second week of August why would Rice want to work on his timing with another QB?

Whaddaya mean? Favre's going through a grueling physical training regimen right now. Those young high school whippersnappers are fast! But seriously, it's a good point should be considered.

 

[Futz]

Rosenhaus said this on Twitter:

You lost me at this. I'm not sure it really matters. His agent will lie, stretch the truth or simply cover for his boy. This could simply be that Rice wasn't ready to start busting his hump at the very same camp that Bowe stated that he never worked so hard in his life at. Couple that with the anticipated absence of Farve for the initial weeks of camp and I smell plain old vet laziness in full effect.

Carter's comments seemed pretty vicious:

"I don't know. You have to ask him. I don't know what it's like to have one good year and then disappear. I don't know what it's like. That's on him. I really don't know. If I had that kind of impact on him he should have been here today." Carter was then asked if he was mad that Rice was attending camp. "I don't look mad do I?" he said. "I don't get mad about kids coming or not coming. ...Sidney is not here so I guarantee he's not getting no better today."

Can you really take his comments seriously? First off, nice english (bolded) Secondly, his comment sounds like a scorned ex-girlfriend. He obviously doesn't believe in the idea of Rice's "injury" or he wouldn't be so testy in his tone. I mean he's blatantly questioning his professionalism. I think this is a case where there's smoke, there's fire. The smoke is the screen being put up Rice and his agent.They can't make it look like a holdout since it is a contract year and they have a built in excuse with the hip from last season. I'm ignoring it all until further proof presents itself.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Rosenhaus said this on Twitter:

You lost me at this. I'm not sure it really matters. His agent will lie, stretch the truth or simply cover for his boy. This could simply be that Rice wasn't ready to start busting his hump at the very same camp that Bowe stated that he never worked so hard in his life at. Couple that with the anticipated absence of Farve for the initial weeks of camp and I smell plain old vet laziness in full effect.

Carter's comments seemed pretty vicious:

"I don't know. You have to ask him. I don't know what it's like to have one good year and then disappear. I don't know what it's like. That's on him. I really don't know. If I had that kind of impact on him he should have been here today." Carter was then asked if he was mad that Rice was attending camp. "I don't look mad do I?" he said. "I don't get mad about kids coming or not coming. ...Sidney is not here so I guarantee he's not getting no better today."

Can you really take his comments seriously? First off, nice english (bolded) Secondly, his comment sounds like a scorned ex-girlfriend. He obviously doesn't believe in the idea of Rice's "injury" or he wouldn't be so testy in his tone. I mean he's blatantly questioning his professionalism. I think this is a case where there's smoke, there's fire. The smoke is the screen being put up Rice and his agent.They can't make it look like a holdout since it is a contract year and they have a built in excuse with the hip from last season. I'm ignoring it all until further proof presents itself.

Why would Rice holdout from Fitzgerald's camp? Fitzgerald doesnt sign his checks, the Vikings do. Let's say he is totally healthy and just skipped the camp because he felt like it, then had this excuse put out there to cover it - should that make us feel better about investing a 2nd or 3rd round pick in him? Professionalism includes things like work ethic and dedication, which we should be concerned with when we decide who to invest our premium picks in during our draft. Isn't it just a little worrisome that he would want to coast til mid-August? Isnt the one-year wonder risk at least partially from guys who think they "made it" and don't have to work hard to maintain their level of play?Im not saying that I would rush out to trade Rice in dynasty leagues, or would stay away from him at any cost, but whether the injury is real (dont like to see a guy still hurting this close to camp) or fake (dont want to see a guy just coasting this close to camp), this is not the kind of thing you want to be hearing about your second or third round pick.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

A new quote from Rice on the injury:

"I feel like it's going to be fine. I just want it to be ready for the first regular season game. I had a couple of meetings with the doctor and I'm not going to need surgery. I'm just being cautious right now, doing rehab and I'll be ready for the start of the season."

 

[n20]

A new quote from Rice on the injury:

"I feel like it's going to be fine. I just want it to be ready for the first regular season game. I had a couple of meetings with the doctor and I'm not going to need surgery. I'm just being cautious right now, doing rehab and I'll be ready for the start of the season."

How does this quote make anyone out there feel confident at all? If we don't see Rice even take the practice field before week 1 his stock has to be falling in redraft at the very least.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

A new quote from Rice on the injury:

"I feel like it's going to be fine. I just want it to be ready for the first regular season game. I had a couple of meetings with the doctor and I'm not going to need surgery. I'm just being cautious right now, doing rehab and I'll be ready for the start of the season."

Just a guess, but if you read between the lines, it sounds like surgery was considered possible until recently? why would you come out and say "im not going to need surgery" unless you weren't sure in the past?

 

[John 14:6]

I've heard reports how he really put in a lot of effort in improving last offseason. It sounded like he was a hard worker, so I'm guessing this injury wasn't just an excuse to skip Fitz's camp...

 

[Drink G2]

I've heard reports how he really put in a lot of effort in improving last offseason. It sounded like he was a hard worker, so I'm guessing this injury wasn't just an excuse to skip Fitz's camp...

The other way to look at that would be he worked hard till he had a great season now thinks he can coast and play just as great.

 

[John 14:6]

I've heard reports how he really put in a lot of effort in improving last offseason. It sounded like he was a hard worker, so I'm guessing this injury wasn't just an excuse to skip Fitz's camp...

The other way to look at that would be he worked hard till he had a great season now thinks he can coast and play just as great.

Yep, we'll see...

 

[LawFitz]

IMO, this injury is a big concern for what was the highest ranked of my second tier WRs.

 

[vikingdave]

he particiated in mini camps, hes fine...

 

[DigiVoX]

Prior to this news, let's not forget this as reported on June 12th by Rotoworld:

In addition to Percy Harvin, Vikings WR Sidney Rice also packed on about eight pounds of muscle this offseason.

Harvin, one of the strongest receivers in the league, didn't really need the added muscle, but it should help the thinner Rice absorb hits and avoid injuries. Rice will work out at Larry Fitzgerald's offseason camp in July for the second straight summer.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpag...NFL&id=4188Sounds like he still has his nose to the grindstone. I'd say he's going to be fine.

 

[Grahamburn]

he particiated in mini camps, hes fine...

Fully? Thank you!

 

[sho nuff]

he particiated in mini camps, hes fine...

Fully? Thank you!

Then it was some excuse for the Fitz camps.Seems a lot of misinformation out there that would worry me to spend a high pick on him.If it lingers and the word is out there though,. could be some huge value for him if his stock falls and he is fine.Will be paying attention to this one for sure.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

he particiated in mini camps, hes fine...

Fully? Thank you!

Then it was some excuse for the Fitz camps.Seems a lot of misinformation out there that would worry me to spend a high pick on him.If it lingers and the word is out there though,. could be some huge value for him if his stock falls and he is fine.Will be paying attention to this one for sure.

Rice could have aggravated the hip injury by participating in the minicamps. The truth might be a little of both, real injury, but leaned on it as excuse to miss a camp he didnt feel like doing?Either way, you nailed it, we need to pay attention to this through the summer until it is resolved.

 

[Ray_T]

he particiated in mini camps, hes fine...

Fully? Thank you!

Then it was some excuse for the Fitz camps.Seems a lot of misinformation out there that would worry me to spend a high pick on him.If it lingers and the word is out there though,. could be some huge value for him if his stock falls and he is fine.Will be paying attention to this one for sure.

Rice could have aggravated the hip injury by participating in the minicamps. The truth might be a little of both, real injury, but leaned on it as excuse to miss a camp he didnt feel like doing?Either way, you nailed it, we need to pay attention to this through the summer until it is resolved.

I wouldnt worry about it. I think he didnt want to go to camp, and it has turned into a media tiff. There is the possibility that he was advised by someone not to attend (agent or team) as well. if it is not an official team event, then attendance is not manditory and he has clearly decided not to attend. I think this is fine. if he starts missing practices when camp starts, then I'll become concerned.

 

[Carl Eller's Dead Liver]

he particiated in mini camps, hes fine...

Fully? Thank you!

Then it was some excuse for the Fitz camps.Seems a lot of misinformation out there that would worry me to spend a high pick on him.If it lingers and the word is out there though,. could be some huge value for him if his stock falls and he is fine.Will be paying attention to this one for sure.

Rice could have aggravated the hip injury by participating in the minicamps. The truth might be a little of both, real injury, but leaned on it as excuse to miss a camp he didnt feel like doing?Either way, you nailed it, we need to pay attention to this through the summer until it is resolved.

Bloom...being a Vikings fan here I'd like to chime in. I don't think it is either of what you suggest.1) It definately is not lack of motivation. I have followed Sidney since the Vikings drafted him. He has always been a work out warrior...each year adding muscle mass and staying in great shape. I don't think his dedication to the game should be questioned at all.2) I don't think it is a major injury either. So he miss Fitz's camp.......what's wrong with a guy sitting out and getting your body 100% healthy? I think people are reading into this too much. I bet he is at training camp and ready for week 1. I bet he practices 100% of training camp as well......which would mean he is ready for week 1.Even if he sits out training camp to heal his body and is ready for week 1......what's the problem with this? Again I highly doubt he is going a-la Brett Favre and just going to skip camp because he feels he doesn't needs it. If this were Randy Moss when he was a Vikings.....I'd say yes, he is maybe just trying to be lazy. If this were another player I'd say that laziness is a posibility, but not with Sidney. He is a workout freak for all reports I have heard......and I follow Vikings news every day of my life.Now could it be a SERIOUS injury? Of course, but it just doesn't smell like one to me. They are saying surgery is NOT needed. For all we know it is a hip flexor that he re-aggravated. I bet if this were the NFL season he'd be playing.....but it's not the real NFL season so he is going to get his body 100%.

 

[CentralPA]

I always hate it when news like this drops just before training camp. I guess if there is anything postive about the timing of this its that Rice can possibly take it easy in training camp and heal up in time for the regular season.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

he particiated in mini camps, hes fine...

Fully? Thank you!

Then it was some excuse for the Fitz camps.Seems a lot of misinformation out there that would worry me to spend a high pick on him.If it lingers and the word is out there though,. could be some huge value for him if his stock falls and he is fine.Will be paying attention to this one for sure.

Rice could have aggravated the hip injury by participating in the minicamps. The truth might be a little of both, real injury, but leaned on it as excuse to miss a camp he didnt feel like doing?Either way, you nailed it, we need to pay attention to this through the summer until it is resolved.

Bloom...being a Vikings fan here I'd like to chime in. I don't think it is either of what you suggest.1) It definately is not lack of motivation. I have followed Sidney since the Vikings drafted him. He has always been a work out warrior...each year adding muscle mass and staying in great shape. I don't think his dedication to the game should be questioned at all.2) I don't think it is a major injury either. So he miss Fitz's camp.......what's wrong with a guy sitting out and getting your body 100% healthy? I think people are reading into this too much. I bet he is at training camp and ready for week 1. I bet he practices 100% of training camp as well......which would mean he is ready for week 1.Even if he sits out training camp to heal his body and is ready for week 1......what's the problem with this? Again I highly doubt he is going a-la Brett Favre and just going to skip camp because he feels he doesn't needs it. If this were Randy Moss when he was a Vikings.....I'd say yes, he is maybe just trying to be lazy. If this were another player I'd say that laziness is a posibility, but not with Sidney. He is a workout freak for all reports I have heard......and I follow Vikings news every day of my life.Now could it be a SERIOUS injury? Of course, but it just doesn't smell like one to me. They are saying surgery is NOT needed. For all we know it is a hip flexor that he re-aggravated. I bet if this were the NFL season he'd be playing.....but it's not the real NFL season so he is going to get his body 100%.

i wouldnt say the injury is major either, but its not right yet, and we already saw that rice isnt a fast healer. im not trying to besmirch rice's rep, but it seems like carter was, so i have to at least take note of that. all in all, this casts a very very light shadow on rice's fantasy stock, but in his tier, thats all it takes to drop someone a few spots

 

[Futz]

all in all, this casts a very very light shadow on rice's fantasy stock, but in his tier, thats all it takes to drop someone a few spots

I think this part is key. All the WRs in his tier have question marks with serious upside. That's why they are where they are in terms of ranking. Unless your draft is tomorrow, or within the next couple of weeks, I don't think this recent information warrants a significant move in your rankings. If it drags on for a few weeks into camp then maybe you might want to reconsider.There will be plenty of players (WRs or otherwise) who will get a little nicked up here and there and sit out a few days of camp. I think it's unwise to jump at every tidbit of info. Blue chip potential players are still that IMO.

Besides, as I mentioned, I think Rice wanted no part of the camp this year. Maybe after attending last year's camp and then having a successful season he feels he's above it. Maybe he does have a twinge of discomfort in the hip or maybe he's just going to pull a Farve. "Hey, if Brett isn't required to be here through 2 a days, neither am I." I think it may only be natural for a teammate (especially a successful one) to have a bit of resentment to that. His "injury" might give him that out.

 

[Carl Eller's Dead Liver]

Rice could have aggravated the hip injury by participating in the minicamps. The truth might be a little of both, real injury, but leaned on it as excuse to miss a camp he didnt feel like doing?Either way, you nailed it, we need to pay attention to this through the summer until it is resolved.

Bloom...being a Vikings fan here I'd like to chime in. I don't think it is either of what you suggest.1) It definately is not lack of motivation. I have followed Sidney since the Vikings drafted him. He has always been a work out warrior...each year adding muscle mass and staying in great shape. I don't think his dedication to the game should be questioned at all.2) I don't think it is a major injury either. So he miss Fitz's camp.......what's wrong with a guy sitting out and getting your body 100% healthy? I think people are reading into this too much. I bet he is at training camp and ready for week 1. I bet he practices 100% of training camp as well......which would mean he is ready for week 1.Even if he sits out training camp to heal his body and is ready for week 1......what's the problem with this? Again I highly doubt he is going a-la Brett Favre and just going to skip camp because he feels he doesn't needs it. If this were Randy Moss when he was a Vikings.....I'd say yes, he is maybe just trying to be lazy. If this were another player I'd say that laziness is a posibility, but not with Sidney. He is a workout freak for all reports I have heard......and I follow Vikings news every day of my life.Now could it be a SERIOUS injury? Of course, but it just doesn't smell like one to me. They are saying surgery is NOT needed. For all we know it is a hip flexor that he re-aggravated. I bet if this were the NFL season he'd be playing.....but it's not the real NFL season so he is going to get his body 100%.

i wouldnt say the injury is major either, but its not right yet, and we already saw that rice isnt a fast healer. im not trying to besmirch rice's rep, but it seems like carter was, so i have to at least take note of that. all in all, this casts a very very light shadow on rice's fantasy stock, but in his tier, thats all it takes to drop someone a few spots

Fair enough.....well stated. Well if this minor injury drops his stock significantly I would be buying. Rice is an elite talent......I saw it his rookie season.... 6'4, quick, great hands, great body control, and 40 inch vertical .....bascially a freak. His sophomore year was horrible....a knee injury slowed him the entire season. We all know what happened last season when he was healthy. A hip isn't a knee, so I expect him to be back strong this year and maybe even improve on his numbers. I do think Rice will remain elite (top 10) when Favre is gone as well. He reminds me of a younger Fitzgerald. Same type of body and amazing body control.

 

[MNTom]

Could be a contract thing or it could just be that an established vet is trying to skip out on some of the early camp stuff. That's been known to happen. I'm not concerned until about August 15th.

Yeah, he's learned from one of the best at doing this.

Seriously, I mean if Farve isn't going to show up till the second week of August why would Rice want to work on his timing with another QB?

I think Brett Favre has had more than ONE good year!

 

[DigiVoX]

i wouldnt say the injury is major either, but its not right yet, and we already saw that rice isnt a fast healer. im not trying to besmirch rice's rep, but it seems like carter was, so i have to at least take note of that.

all in all, this casts a very very light shadow on rice's fantasy stock, but in his tier, thats all it takes to drop someone a few spots

I believe it's a bit premature to state that he's a slow healer. As far as I know, he has one major injury in his career, in 2008. Read this description of his injury shortly after it happended:

As everyone knows by now, when an athlete is referencing his recently injured knee and says he heard a "pop," it is not a good combination. Unfortunately for Rice and his fantasy owners, that is exactly what happened. Rice injured his right knee when he landed awkwardly, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "I came back in the third quarter and tried to make a move," Rice said. "My whole knee was just popping."

http://espn.go.com/sports/fantasy/blog/_/n...ania/id/3589338

Despite missing games in 2008, it could be argued that he is a tough SOB playing through his knee injury. Knee injuries are prevalent in the NFL and are sometimes understated by teams just how severe in nature they are. It is also common for knee injuries to take a significant amount of time to fully heal.

 

[ceo3west]

I'm more worried about Favre than I am Rice in regard's to Rice's production. At his age, there is almost no way Favre puts together the kind of season he had last year IMO. And that spells trouble for Rice.

 

[Carl Eller's Dead Liver]

I'm more worried about Favre than I am Rice in regard's to Rice's production. At his age, there is almost no way Favre puts together the kind of season he had last year IMO. And that spells trouble for Rice.

This statement isn't true at all. Just because a QB takes a step backwards, doesn't mean his #1 WR can't stay the same or even take a step forward. One example off the top of my head is Roddy White:Roddy White......who had the same aprox number of receptions in 08 and '09, just a few less yards in '09, but he had 11 TD's in '09 vs. 7 TD's in '08. That is a slight step upward in '09 and Matt Ryan had a step backwards.

 

[ceo3west]

I'm more worried about Favre than I am Rice in regard's to Rice's production. At his age, there is almost no way Favre puts together the kind of season he had last year IMO. And that spells trouble for Rice.

This statement isn't true at all. Just because a QB takes a step backwards, doesn't mean his #1 WR can't stay the same or even take a step forward. One example off the top of my head is Roddy White:Roddy White......who had the same aprox number of receptions in 08 and '09, just a few less yards in '09, but he had 11 TD's in '09 vs. 7 TD's in '08. That is a slight step upward in '09 and Matt Ryan had a step backwards.

Way more mouths to feed in Minnesota in Harvin, Berrian and Shianco. And I expect Harvin will play a much bigger role this year than last. White has had to contend with an aging Gonzo and Michael Jenkins who had 1 TD last year. Completely different situation.

 

[Carl Eller's Dead Liver]

I'm more worried about Favre than I am Rice in regard's to Rice's production. At his age, there is almost no way Favre puts together the kind of season he had last year IMO. And that spells trouble for Rice.

This statement isn't true at all. Just because a QB takes a step backwards, doesn't mean his #1 WR can't stay the same or even take a step forward. One example off the top of my head is Roddy White:Roddy White......who had the same aprox number of receptions in 08 and '09, just a few less yards in '09, but he had 11 TD's in '09 vs. 7 TD's in '08. That is a slight step upward in '09 and Matt Ryan had a step backwards.

Way more mouths to feed in Minnesota in Harvin, Berrian and Shianco. And I expect Harvin will play a much bigger role this year than last. White has had to contend with an aging Gonzo and Michael Jenkins who had 1 TD last year. Completely different situation.

The last 8 games of the 2009 season Sidney was the #4 overall WR in PPR leagues. You could argue that Favre didn't "discover" Sidney until half way through the season. I highly doubt (even if Favre does drop off) that we see Sidney fall out of the top 10 this year if he is healthy.....even with Harvin, Berrian, and Shiancoe. I think it is kind of strange that people view Miles Austin in the elite group along with the likes of Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald....however Sidney is considered below guys like Desean Jackson and Roddy White. Given Rice's production at the end of last year, shouldn't he recieve consideration as a top 5 WR as well??WR scoring weeks 10-17 last season:

http://football8.myfantasyleague.com/2010/...ints&TEAM=*

 

[John 14:6]

i wouldnt say the injury is major either, but its not right yet, and we already saw that rice isnt a fast healer. im not trying to besmirch rice's rep, but it seems like carter was, so i have to at least take note of that.

all in all, this casts a very very light shadow on rice's fantasy stock, but in his tier, thats all it takes to drop someone a few spots

I don't put too much stock into things Carter says. Mike Morris, who was a long snapper with the Vikings the same time Carter was on the team, has a radio show here. Everytime Cris Carter comes up he has nothing but bad things to say about him, like he was the worst guy on the team. They were talking about Carter at the NFL rookie camp or whatever it's called and Morris was like, "Why? Why Cris Carter? They'd be better off having Charles Manson talking to these kids."

 

[travdogg]

I'm more worried about Favre than I am Rice in regard's to Rice's production. At his age, there is almost no way Favre puts together the kind of season he had last year IMO. And that spells trouble for Rice.

This statement isn't true at all. Just because a QB takes a step backwards, doesn't mean his #1 WR can't stay the same or even take a step forward. One example off the top of my head is Roddy White:Roddy White......who had the same aprox number of receptions in 08 and '09, just a few less yards in '09, but he had 11 TD's in '09 vs. 7 TD's in '08. That is a slight step upward in '09 and Matt Ryan had a step backwards.

Way more mouths to feed in Minnesota in Harvin, Berrian and Shianco. And I expect Harvin will play a much bigger role this year than last. White has had to contend with an aging Gonzo and Michael Jenkins who had 1 TD last year. Completely different situation.

I agree with this pretty much word for word.I think people are really sleeping on Harvin. He put up 900 yards and 8 TD's in 15 games as a rookie who had spent the previous season as a RB. It wouldn't shock me(in fact I very much believe its only a matter of time) if Harvin surpassed Rice.

 

[Go deep]

My biggest problem with Rice is what happens when Favre leaves. Its either going to be Tavaris Jackson or a rookie QB. Neither option is likely to support a top 10 WR. I like Rice for this year, but his value gets shaky after that.

Redraft

Dynasty

edit for spelling, i should really start checking before i submit.

 

[travdogg]

My biggest problem with Rice is what happens when Favre leaves. Its either going to be Tavaris Jackson or a rookie QB. Neither option is likely to support a top 10 WR. I like Rice for this year, but his value gets shaky after that.

Redraft

Dynasty

edit for spelling, i should really start checking before i submit.

I don't think those are the only two options. They could sign a free agent or make a trade just as easily, look how many starting QB's were acquired via trade this year. Ultimately I think the Vikes might stand pat since I think Childress is a lot higher on Jackson than anyone else is. of course, I've learned to never assume Favre will retire. I wouldn't be shocked if he was still playing in 2011.

 

[sho nuff]

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Is-Syd...y-contract.html

Interesting...though, I typically don't find Biggs' work on NFP to be all that good.

 

[hlo]

I agree that you won't get anywhere near the value you probably should, so time to stand pat. I'm a believer (I traded for him this offseason) and this is dynasty so a longer term view is required.

1) If Favre doesn't play, Rice takes a bit of hit this year as there is no way the Vikings come up with someone better than Jackson/Rosenfels for QB. But I think that Favre will play given that the Vikings will basically pay him whatever it takes and there are no salary cap issues to deal with.

2) Longer term: Vikings could sign/trade for a QB and Rice is in the last year of his contract so he could also leave if the QB situation doesn't improve. Who knows if franchise tag will exist or how many years of service will be for RFAs?

3) His injury is somewhat concerning but again this is dynasty. Players will be hurt and you can't just trade them away.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

the answer is yes