RENTON — If you’re looking for Seahawks receiver Sidney Rice to provide some bulletin board material for his former team with Minnesota travelling to Seattle this weekend, don’t bother.
Rice says he’s still remains close with several Minnesota players, along with Vikings receivers coach George Stewart, and doesn’t expect much woofing from his former teammates on Sunday.
“I don’t talk a lot,” Rice said. “I just go out there and try and get the job done. I’m sure we’re going to exchange a few words, but it won’t be nothing serious, though.”
Rice will face his former team for the second time since inking a five-year, $41 million deal with Seattle in free agency during the 2011 offseason, $18 million of which is guaranteed.
The two teams met during exhibition play last year.
Rice said he practiced against nine of the 11 defensive starters on a regular basis when he played in Minnesota.
That number includes three-time Pro Bowler Antoine Winfield. At 6-foot-4 and 202 pounds, Rice has a size advantage over the feisty Winfield, who comes in at 5-9 and 180 pounds.
“I definitely feel like I have a slight edge on everybody else, going with those guys for so many years,” Rice said. “Antoine Winfield, probably their best corner, is a guy I played against my entire four years there. He’s really smart and talented, and probably one of the toughest small guys I’ve ever seen in my life.
“So on our offensive side as receivers we have to be prepared for him.”
Rice struggled through an injury-plagued season his first year in Seattle, finishing with just 32 catches for 484 yards and two touchdowns in nine games before landing on the injured reserve with concussion and shoulder issues.
But after offseason surgery on both shoulders, Rice finally is healthy. He leads the team with 28 catches for 367 yards and three touchdowns.
Seattle offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell believes Rice is back to being the player that earned a Pro Bowl in 2009 after leading the Vikings with 83 catches for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns during that team’s run to the NFC championship game.
“He’s looking a lot better,” Bevell said. “He’s playing physical. He’s never stopped catching the ball. His catch radius is ridiculous. But as far as running, he’s running strong. He’s catching strong.
“Whether he’s all the way back or not, it’s hard to say. But he’s really close to that form.”
Like Rice, Bevell is facing his former team. Bevell served as Minnesota’s offensive coordinator for five seasons before taking over the same job for Seattle.
“Any time that you play somebody that you worked for at one time, you want to do well,” Bevell said.
Baldwin practices
Considered a long shot to play this weekend by Seattle head coach Pete Carroll on Monday, receiver Doug Baldwin was a full participant in practice on Thursday.
Baldwin missed last week’s game at Detroit with a high-ankle sprain. Offensive guard John Moffitt (knee) also was a full participant today, along with running back Marshawn Lynch (back).
Receiver Braylon Edwards (knee) and defensive tackle Jason Jones (ankle) missed a second straight day of practice, and rookie defensive lineman Greg Scruggs (oblique) was added to the injury report, and did not practice.
Cornerback Byron Maxwell (hamstring) was a limited participant.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
