SIDNEY RICE INTERVIEW
April 4, 2007
By Chris Otwell, War Room Report


 

Sidney Rice burst on the scene with a sensational red shirt freshman season in 2005, earning First Team SEC honors after posting over 1,100 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. He followed that with a solid 2006 season in which he notched over 1,000 yards receiving again and caught 10 touchdowns despite a chaotic quarterback situation. Rice enters the 2007 NFL Draft after his sophomore season as one of the top WR prospects available. The War Room Report's Chris Otwell discussed his career at South Carolina and the NFL Draft process with Sidney Rice.
 

Chris Otwell, War Room Report: Were you pleased with your performance at the Scouting Combine?

Sidney Rice: I think I did a pretty good job, I was happy with how everything went for me.

Chris Otwell, War Room Report: What did you do to prepare yourself for the combine, both mentally and physically?

Sidney Rice: I was out at the Arizona Athlete’s Performance, working on the explosiveness, helping to prepare myself for the 40, vertical, and other drills.

Chris Otwell, War Room Report: How did the interview process go?

Sidney Rice: A good bit of teams interviewed me, I'd say about 20 teams. I think all of them went well.

 
South Carolina WR Sidney Rice

Chris Otwell, War Room Report: Your freshman year, with QB Blake Mitchell throwing to you, you were Rivals.com freshman of the year, and All-SEC.  How did it affect you this past season with Mitchell out?

Sidney Rice: I think it did affect me a little bit this year. I think I had a decent season, but it could have been much better. Things went how they went, nothing I can change about that now. The QB that stepped in did a good job, I just think that me and Blake had more chemistry, and that’s how it went down this year.

Chris Otwell, War Room Report: You are entering the draft after your red shirt sophomore season, did Coach Spurrier, and WR Coach Spurrier Jr. help you with your decision on turning pro early, and what did you learn from Coach Spurrier during your time with him at South Carolina?

"...the experience to be able to play for a coach of his caliber...was tremendous"

Sidney Rice (on Coach Steve Spurrier)

Sidney Rice: Oh yes, I think that Coach Spurrier is a tremendous coach, he taught me a lot of things while I was there about playing football and knowing what to do while you are on the field, and also about being a leader.  I just think the experience to be able to play for a coach of his caliber knowing the offense, and coaching Heisman winners and championship teams, as well as having other top draft picks play for him was tremendous.

Chris Otwell, War Room Report: How did the firing of your recruiter and contact at South Carolina influence your decision in regards to signing with the Gamecocks, if at all, and do you think that prepared you at all for the “business” that the NFL is said to be?

Sidney Rice: I understand it is going to be a business, when he got fired I stuck with the decision to go to Carolina. I wanted to be close where my family could come watch me play, and also friends of mine.  I wouldn’t say it had me thinking about changing my mind. 

Chris Otwell, War Room Report: You were the South Carolina basketball player of the year after leading Gaffney High School to the state championship. Was basketball an option in college, and where were you recruited for your basketball talents? 

Sidney Rice: Yes sir it was an option, and I was recruited to play basketball. I was supposed to play basketball for the USC, but I didn’t.  If I had gone to Syracuse, it would have been the same thing.  I decided not to play after the big red shirt freshman season. 

Chris Otwell, War Room Report: You are one of the top WR in the 2007 NFL Draft Class. What do you think separates you from other WR in this class?

Sidney Rice: My ability to make plays on the ball the way I can position my body, and also my hands. 

Chris Otwell, War Room Report: If you had to compare your game to any WR in the NFL, who would that player, be?

Sidney Rice: I would say Larry Fitzgerald.