The loss of Sidney Rice will undoubtedly impact the Vikings season but does it take them out of contention in the NFC North and rule out any Super Bowl thoughts? I think not, here's why.
Even without Sidney Rice in the mix, Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin are still a lethal 1-2 combo and Brett Favre should have no problem finding them downfield. Realistically, the Vikings are even more likely to see the box stacked 8 deep with the threat of Rice gone, which will leave B-Twice and Harvin in plenty of 1 on 1 situations. We also know that Favre has elevated the play of many WR's around him (see: Bill Schroeder) and even if the signing of Javon Walker falls flat, production of the 3rd and 4th receivers for a team is generally unimpressive. For Example, James Jones and Jordy Nelson combined for 54 receptions, 760 yards and 7 TD's last season. Reasonable for what you expect out of those positions on a football team. On the other side of the border, Favre completed over 40 passes to 6 different targets (Rice is hurt and Chester Taylor is gone) so it can be assumed that Favre should be able to get Walker, Greg Lewis, Taye Biddle, Marquis Hamilton, or Ray Small at least this minimal production.
On the other hand, Percy Harvin will have to lineup outside rather than in the slot a lot more this season and we don't know how well he will make that adjustment or how his migraines will be for that matter. Either way, the Vikings have a tough schedule in the beginning of the season and I only had them at 2-3 or 3-2 going into Green Bay in Week 7 anyway, which coincidentally could be the return of Rice if we are looking at a timeframe of about 8 weeks plus.
There are plenty of IF's to go around with this Vikings team right now, but I think it is definitely too soon to count them down and out.
It sure will be interesting to see how the Vikes will have to adjust being Riceless for the first half of the season.
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