Top > Sport > 2004 > October > 2004-10-19

Hawks` missing ingredient? Add Rice

Time is right, and deal appears imminent to bring star receiver here

KIRKLAND -- Item One: A report by CBS-TV on Sunday night indicated Seahawks wide receiver Koren Robinson could be facing a four-game suspension for violating NFL drug policy.

Item Two: Jerry Rice, the leading receiver in NFL history, asked the Oakland Raiders to deal him to a new team by today`s trading deadline.

Item Three: The Seahawks, on the verge of becoming a serious playoff contender, have shown a huge need for leadership, particularly with their drop-plagued receivers.

If you think all that adds up to Rice coming to the Seahawks, you`re on to something. Several news sources reported Monday night that a deal will be announced today, with Seattle giving up a seventh-round draft pick in exchange for the 42-year-old receiver.

According to the Associated Press, Rice told some teammates on Monday he was headed to Seattle and signed autographs for some before leaving.

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren acknowledged earlier Monday he`s interested in reuniting with his former 49ers star, though he didn`t want to connect the dots between Robinson`s rumored trouble and the race for Rice.

``That`s a whole separate issue,`` said Holmgren, who insisted he has heard nothing from the league of Robinson`s potential troubles.

Certainly Rice`s presence could help cover Robinson`s absence if the long arm of the NFL law catches up with him. But more important could be Rice`s impact on Robinson when it comes to developing technique, work ethic and the confidence to overcome his recent case of the dropsies.

While Rice raised hackles in Oakland this fall by making an issue over his reduced role in the Raiders` offense, he could be the perfect fit in Seattle with a contending team missing only the ``been there, done that`` attitude in big games that Rice brings in larger supply than any receiver in history.

This is just the sort of veteran leader Chuck Knox loved adding to his playoff-contending squads. The sort of moves the Seahawks haven`t made for years because, well, because they haven`t been contending for anything more than mediocrity.

But this squad is different. This squad is on the verge of big things, but needs another hand -- or better set of hands -- to take things over the top.

That issue became crystal clear Sunday in New England when Seattle succumbed to early game jitters -- including several dropped passes -- and then clutched up late when given the chance to power past the Patriots in the closing minutes.

And it became crystal clearer when reports came out of a potential suspension for Robinson, a talented youth who has raised Holmgren`s ire in the past by arriving late for team meetings and similar immature transgressions.

If ever there was a team perfectly suited for an injection of Papa Rice, it would seem to be these Seahawks. Which is why Holmgren wasn`t pooh-poohing the notion of pursuing a trade for a man who has caught just five passes for 67 yards this season.

``Certainly we`d consider it,`` said Holmgren, who worked with Rice as an assistant coach with the 49ers from 1986-91. ``I had our pro personnel people look at Jerry and write a report on him to see how he`s played this year. Because of my history with him, I`d be curious. So, yeah, we`re exploring it.``

What will Rice offer? A year ago, he caught 63 passes for 869 yards as the Raiders` leading receiver. He pulled in 10 catches for 159 yards in a late-season game against Green Bay. So while he`s assuredly past prime time, at least he remembers how to get there.

Obviously the 20-year pro isn`t a long-term answer for the Hawks. But this is a team where it finally is Now Time. And now is the perfect time to add a guy who has been to 13 Pro Bowls and erased Steve Largent as the all-time NFL leader in receiving yards, catches and touchdowns.

Perhaps more importantly, Rice owns 10 Super Bowl records, including most catches (33), yards (589) and touchdowns (8) on the big stage. Yeah, the stage where Janet Jackson bared her soul. And where the Seahawks want to go.

For a team looking for big-game experience, is there a better midseason addition than the best big-game receiver in NFL annals?

``There are a few players in this league that, even though they`re nearing the ends of their career, they are special and have been special for a long time,`` Holmgren said. ``I would think that would give any team a boost at this particular time.``

The Seahawks brought veteran defensive back Bobby Taylor in this year to provide an experienced voice to the young secondary. Taylor, who played in 12 postseason games during a nine-year career with Philadelphia, declined to comment specifically on Rice`s situation. But he said every team needs wise heads in the right spots.

``Being in a lot of big ball games and winning a few, I try to share all the knowledge and experience I`ve gained over my years. And hopefully, these guys can find something when they get in those positions,`` Taylor said. ``There are going to be times and situations out on the field where guys look to certain individuals for leadership. When you do have guys in position to do that, it helps.``

For that reason alone, it makes sense for the Seahawks to add Rice to the mix. For though Jerry Rice is a man with aging legs, he could indeed be the perfect boost for a receiving corps that needs help more with its head, hands and heart.