WR Sidney Rice, Seattle Seahawks

HT: 6-2, WT: 200, Born: 9-1-1986, College: South Carolina, Drafted: Round 2

2013 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of May 21st. [Full ADP list]

Overall: A Boldin (120), J Flacco (121), Sidney Rice (122), J Cook (123), E Sanders (124)
Position: J Blackmon (112-WR44), A Boldin (120-WR45), Sidney Rice (122 - WR46), E Sanders (124-WR47), C Givens (126-WR48)
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PPR Average draft position

Current as of May 21st. [Full PPR ADP list]

Overall: K Wright (119), Sidney Rice (121), W McGahee (122), I Pead (123)
Position: A Boldin (117-WR44), K Wright (119-WR45), Sidney Rice (121 - WR46), E Sanders (125-WR47), A Jeffery (130-WR48)
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Outlook

Sidney Rice established himself as star in 2009 when he caught 83 passes for 1,312 yards and 8 touchdowns for the Vikings. Unfortunately, he had several injury-marred seasons after that and hasn't come close to duplicating those numbers. Last season he started for the Seahawks and proved competent, but didn't show the same luster he had in 2009. At his best, Rice can make leaping, diving, spectacular catches, but he's not much of a runner after the catch. With Percy Harvin joining the Seahawks, Rice will likely see fewer (perhaps far fewer) targets than he did last season as he takes more of a backseat role in the passing game. Consider him a fantasy WR4 with limited upside.

2013 Schedule

2012 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Rice gave great effort from the opening whistle and looked outstanding just about every time the ball was thrown his way. His first catch was a diving grab that was actually intended for Marshawn Lynch and had been tipped in the air. Shortly after he drew pass interference on a bomb from Wilson solely because he tried to fight through the contact and didn’t just give up. His touchdown catch was a sharp snag just over his head running full speed across the middle. On the final drive, Rice got the Seahawks into scoring range by drawing another pass interference call. He then prevented an interception by playing great defense on a ball thrown right at Patrick Peterson.

Week 2 - Rice didn’t deliver any bone-crushing blocks, but he did have the best catch of the game, laying out for the 18-yard catch that turned a 2nd and 21 into a 3rd and 3. Later Rice took a brutal shot on a similar route as Orlando Scandrick delivered a heavy shot that jarred the ball loose. For a guy who missed a multiple games in 2011 with a concussion, it was nice to see Rice pop right up and finish the game without any issues. However, the pace of the game didn’t call for much from the receiving corps and that shows in Rice’s output on Sunday (amassing only five targets).

Week 3 - Sidney Rice didn’t make a catch until the final drive but was targeted on multiple occasions by Wilson and affected the game in other ways. Wilson targeted Rice down the field numerous times and frequently pass interference/defensive holding was called which helped them move the ball at times, despite Rice not catching the ball until the fourth quarter. Rice had a shot at a touchdown late in the game but WR Tate tried to catch a ball that looked to be intended for Rice and it fell incomplete. Questionable pass interference calls were made all night, some involving Rice and Rice himself could have easily been flagged for offensive pass interference. Russell Wilson has still a lot of development to do before he can accept a larger role in this offense. Rice looked dangerous at times and is still a deep threat that can out leap defenders for the ball but he is getting few opportunities with this conservative offense that has QB Wilson in a caretaker role. If they increase Wilsons pass attempts, Rice could become valuable but there are simply too few passes thrown his way right now to be a productive enough WR.

Week 4 - Rice was matched up primarily against Rams CB Janoris Jenkins who proved to get the better of the WR on this day. He did however finish with 4 catches for 41 yards, both team highs. Neither game planning nor QB play did Rice any favors as he was often free lancing on broken plays or blocking out wide for Lynch – and not doing a terrific job of that, mind you. Rice has a tremendous amount of talent, but questions at QB and with his own health will hold him back until he can prove otherwise.

Week 5 - Sidney Rice became the go-to guy for Russell Wilson against the Panthers. Rice made all types of catches and Wilson’s trust in him seemed to blossom as the game wore on. The pair started off their connection in some style as Wilson lofted a picture-perfect pass on a corner route over the top of the linebacker in underneath coverage to a waiting Rice. The chemistry was on show again as Rice and Wilson were on the same page on a comeback route, reading the cornerback’s leverage. Rice was able to find success matched up against Carolina’s rookie CB Josh Norman, as it seems most receivers are able to do. However, the Wilson/Rice combination is one that could be potent in time.

Week 6 - Sidney Rice, who seems to finally be over his shoulder and head injuries led the WR group for the Seahawks with 3 catches for 81 yards and the game winning touchdown on a 46 yard bomb from Wilson. Rice looked excellent running routes getting open and making the most of the passes that did come his way. Rice even attempted a pass that should have been caught by fellow WR Golden Tate for a 45 yard gain but Tate dropped it. When healthy, Rice is the clear #1 wideout in Seattle and he seems to be building a strong rapport with his young signal caller.

Week 7 - Rice's big reception of the day came down the left sideline as he rose above a defender to snatch the ball out of the air before running with the ball down the sideline. He wasn't often targeted, but he missed an opportunity late in the game when the Seahawks needed a big play. Rice couldn't fight off Chris Culliver for the ball down the sideline. Rice's second reception came on the team's final drive when he caught a quick out against off coverage.

Week 8 - Rice led all Seattle pass catchers on Sunday with eight targets, catching six of them. Rice also had one TD, crossing with Tate on the goal-to-go situation on an out. The ball was perfectly thrown by Wilson and Rice did a great job dragging both feet to ensure the completion. Rice and Wilson just missed a deep connection in the 3rd quarter. Running off play action, Rice was able to get behind the coverage on a deep post, but Wilson’s throw was just out of reach. Had Rice been able to make the spectacular catch, it would have resulted in a 44-yard TD. Later it was Rice, whom Wilson was targeting on his lone INT, but the throw took Rice right into the coverage and there was little he could do to prevent it. Rice also received one carry, but was only able to pick up three yards on the end around.

Week 9 - Rice’s first catch came on a long post route, where he was able to beat the one-on-one coverage with good speed and catch an accurate ball for a gain of 23 yards. On his touchdown catch, Rice ran a route to the back of the end zone, but seeing his quarterback scrambling, Rice drifted to the right and was able to find space. Wilson threw the ball behind Rice, but the wide receiver was able to turn his body midair and catch the ball. It was a great job by Rice of finding space on the broken play and readjusting to the ball. Rice also had a timing route later in the game, and before Rice had even finished his break, the ball was arriving and Rice was able to catch a ball perfectly thrown, right in his gut. Rice also pitched in on a trick play, catching a backwards throw from Wilson and then flicking the ball downfield to a streaking Zach Miller. The play was executed perfectly, only adding to a great receiving game from Rice.

Week 10 - Rice made each of his receptions counts. Despite receiving the most targets among Seattle receivers, Rice didn’t make a catch until the fourth quarter. On a 1st-and-10 play from the New York 31-yard line, Rice ran a post-route, dove for the ball in the end zone, and secured the catch. Rice used his big body to secure inside position and box out the smaller corner. There was a steady downpour throughout the second half, so Rice demonstrated impressive concentration by making the catch. During his team’s next drive, Seattle ran a misdirection, wide receiver throw play. After Russell Wilson flipped the ball to Golden Tate, Rice ran a go-route into the end zone. The Jet secondary bit on the play, so Rice was uncovered in the end zone. Tate delivered a perfect pass to the wide open Rice for a 23-yard touchdown.

Outside of his touchdown grabs, Rice was often targeted on uncatchable passes. The Jets constantly deployed extra rushers, so Wilson would throw the ball away in Rice’s direction.

Week 12 - Rice had a relatively quiet day against Miami, but he did come up with a crucial catch on third-and-twelve in the second quarter for the Seahawks. With the Miami pass rush hot on the heels of Russell Wilson, Rice adjusted his route to get open for his quarterback and came back to the ball. Seeing Rice free from coverage, Wilson threw the ball his way, and, with his momentum carrying him out of bounds, Rice managed to control the catch and secure a first down for Seattle. The veteran wideout totaled three catches for forty-nine yards against the Dolphins, and added one three-yard run.

Week 13 - The Seahawks opened the game with a quick come-back route to Sidney Rice for nine yards. They ended the game with a 13 yard crossing route where Rice broke the goal line before taking a hard shot to the shoulders and fumbling the ball. He also came up big with a 27 yard reception at the end of regulation to set up the TD pass to Tate. On that play, Rice ran a deep crossing route, but found a soft spot between the safeties. When Russell Wilson saw him, he zipped him the ball and Rice made a great catch, turned and dove forward for a few more yards to set up the winning score. Earlier in that drive, Rice made a great defensive play on a pass that was nearly picked off by Chicago’s Major Wright. Rice went up and broke up the play, avoid the game ending interception. Rice finished the day as Seattle’s leading receiver, but was stopped just short of turning in a 100 yard receiving day.

Week 14 - Despite the few passing attempts as a team, Rice had good opportunities for a productive fantasy day. After a great reception to convert third-and-long on his first target of the game, Rice missed two potential touchdowns on his next three targets. Rice had a short end zone target in single coverage, but was not able to win the jump ball. A slant that came wide open was tipped at the line of scrimmage, which was another likely score for Rice. Late in the game, Rice had a scary moment over the middle. After last week’s big hit on the game-winner touchdown against Chicago, Rice’s concussion history was back in the forefront of Rice’s resume. Rice was still in the game long after Seattle had 40+ points and caught a slant over the middle. He was hit cleanly, but very hard by the safety. Luckily, he popped right up after the reception. He was promptly taken out after that play. After just one touchdown in his first five games in 2012, Rice has six over his last eight. The Bills (neutral) and the 49ers (stingy) close out the fantasy schedule for Rice.

Week 15 - Rice led all Seattle pass catchers in every statistical category on Sunday, including five targets and four receptions. Rice’s first catch was a thing of beauty, coming on 3rd and long on the Seahawks’ opening drive. Running a corner route, Wilson’s throw was a bit low and wide, but going parallel to the ground, Rice made a great diving catch for 17 yards. Rice just missed a TD on Seattle’s 3rd drive, bringing in the short slant before getting hit just short of the goal line. Rice’s long came two plays later, as he ran a shallow crosser underneath. With the coverage mixed up and Rice running away from it, he was able to take the short toss and turn up field for a 41-yard gain. Rice caught one more quick slant before his final target was an overturned TD in the corner of the end zone. Rice made the catch, but could not get his 2nd foot down. Initially ruled a TD; replay clearly showed his right foot never touched inbounds.

Week 16 - Rice had a quiet day, though his lone catch was a great display of athleticism. Rice made a powerful move to beat Rogers on the press coverage and then cut outside, making a diving catch while dragging his feet in-bounds 17 yards downfield. Rice also received a pitch on a trick play, and though the downfield option was well-covered, Rice found the opportunity to bomb one deep irresistible. Carlos Rogers dropped the easy interception.

Week 17 - Rice only received one target on Sunday and did not register a catch. On a day loaded with explosive plays (and only 15 completions from Wilson), there just wasn’t enough opportunities to go around.

Week 18 - Rice caught one pass for twenty-seven yards. Running a deep corner route to the right edge of the field, Rice made a degree-of-difficulty catch with the ball at its highest point, and then exhibited excellent body control by keeping both of his feet in the field of play. The veteran receiver got four targets from quarterback Russell Wilson, including one hurried overthrow in the end zone. Wilson missed Rice blow by Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall late in the third quarter in what would have been an easy big play for the Seahawks.

Week 19 - Rice was in line for a much bigger day against the Falcons – he tied Zach Miller for the team lead in targets with nine, and the Seahawks used him in both the slot and split wide in order to maximize his value – but ended the afternoon with four catches for sixty yards. Rice and Russell Wilson hooked up for a twenty-four yard gain off a read-option fake in the fourth quarter, but otherwise, the pair settled for shorter completions. Call it excellent coverage by Atlanta, call it bad luck, but it was simply not Rice’s day in Atlanta. He had one end zone pass batted away by Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel, and another possible scoring play taken away from him when safety Thomas DeCoud knocked a Wilson pass away from him near the end zone.