For those who still think big, think Sidney Rice

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jun 9, 2011 10:00 AM CDT in 2011 NFL Free Agents

What ever happened to thinking big? Old and in the way wide receivers get all the ink lately, from Plaxico Burress to Randy Moss. For the St. Louis Rams or any team, bringing in either one would be tinkering around the edges, at best, assuming either of them have anything left in the tank. For those who want to think big, here's something to whet your appetite. The Vikings offensive coordinator isn't envisioning an offense with WR Sidney Rice in the plans. Granted it's a stretch, but no more of a stretch than any of the other wide receiver talk.

Rice is ticketed fro free agency. Which kind of free agency depends entirely on what happens with the NFL labor situation. Under the 2010, i.e. no cap, rules for free agency, Rice is a restricted free agent, with just four years experience. Right now, the football world is flush with optimism as players and owners continue work on a deal. If that deal gets done, free agency as we know it might return, allowing teams to spend themselves silly on four-year unrestricted free agents. Enter Sidney Rice.

Rice would be the most coveted free agent wide receiver on the market. Even if the Chargers revoke the franchise tag for Vincent Jackson (unlikely), Rice will still be one of the top receivers on the market under the four-year rules. At 24, he has a bright future ahead of him. He is, however, coming off a hip injury, but is said to be back at full strength. With just one outstanding season under his belt, Rice has much left to prove.

For all their needs left to fill, none really give the Rams the potential to make a big splash or represent positions given high valuation by this coaching staff, e.g. outside linebacker, defensive tackle. Bringing in a Burress, a Moss or Ochocinco isn't going to have a dramatic impact on this offense. In the best case scenario, i.e. they can still contribute, those players would just replace one of the younger, untested horses in the stable. Rice is different.

Crazy talk? Probably. It is worth pointing out that earlier this spring there were reports of the Rams having interest in Rice. And for all the grumbling last year about Devaney's tight fisted approach to a barren free agent market, this front office has shown a willingness to make those big splashes. They did it with Jason Brown at center, and they were reported to have an agreement in place with Vincent Jackson last year, only to be rebuffed by the Chargers' outlandish trade requirements.

So, the next time you hear about some possibility of tweaking the roster with an aging receiver with almost as many question marks as the young receivers currently on board, buck the trend. Know that the Rams can do better.

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It's possible

one of the things the players will demand in any deal is getting rid of the franchise tag. Almost every player who has been given that tag has hated it, in spite of the huge payday it brings. Then Vincent Jackson would also be available. After drafting so many receivers so high in the draft, I don’t know if the Rams will be in the market for a free agent WR, but you never know. They were interested in Jackson last year.

by andyhawk on Jun 9, 2011 11:33 AM CDT reply actions

I Agree 100%

This nonsense about Randy Moss and Plaxico Burress is absolute nonsense and about as scraping the bottom of the barrell as you can get. The St.Louis Rams are an up and coming franchise, a team that has potential to be dominant for the next decade, so why on earth would people want to waste a younger guy by signing the bottom of the barrell? I’m sorry, but niether Randy Moss or Plaxico Burress are worth the cutting of Danny Amendola, Greg Salas, Austin Pettis, Donnie Avery or Mark Clayton. All of them are in the plans for the Rams in the long haul which would be the opposite of Moss and Burress who would be ranted for the max of 2 seasons.

Now, if the Rams were to look at a receiver on the market which I think they will but only at the right price, then obviously receivers like Sidney Rice or Santonio Holmes would be on the radar. Hopefully there is some truth to the rumors of the Rams being interested in Rice, he would fit in St.Louis with Bradford in McDaniels offense like a glove. Santonio Holmes, which doesn’t look like he will leave New York because they want him back badly, would be just as good personally. Holmes brings not only speed, very good hands, high football IQ and clutch play but he would bring even more leadership to the young Rams. Holmes would school our young receivers on the details and nuances of the game. If anyone saw Hard Knocks with the Jets that is what jumped out at me about Holmes. He is a fantastic looker room presence and his night life immaturity looks to be passed him.

Also, how can anyone actually justify Moss, Burress or God forbid Chad Johnson (I refuse to call him Ochocinco because it’s easily the dumbest and most ignorant, immature act I have ever seen from a publicity stand point from an athlete)? All 3 of them are exactly what the Rams front office despises. Me first players. What, just because Burress was on the same team as Coach Spags 4 years ago and McDaniels 10 years ago? That makes him a possibility to be a Ram? How do we know that Coach Spags even likes Burress? Has he said so publicly? Has he shown interest in him through the media in some way? So why does idiotic speculation with literally no proof run wild like this? Worse yet, why do dumbasses by into it and start assuming it would be a good idea? And honestly if your a Moss or Chad Johnson to the Rams supporter you might aswell just go ahead and turn in your Rams Fan Card and go root for the Seahawks or some other trash team with low standards in character who could care less if their locker room could become a personal soap box for an over the hill mouth and a wannabe D Lister reality star.

by DaFranchiZe on Jun 9, 2011 12:30 PM CDT reply actions

Thinking big is a good thing

I hope the Ram’s FO goes for the best in FA. Settling for a “he could work too” second tier player only adds to the challenge of building a team. A proven player like Rice is an automatic step up.

by Douglas M on Jun 10, 2011 1:51 PM CDT reply actions