The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... Rice could be ready for the start of the 2014 season, general manager John Schneider said Wednesday. "Yeah, absolutely," Schneider told reporters when asked if Rice might be available for Seattle's opener against Green Bay on Sept. 4, which would be a little over 10 months after the receiver torn his ACL.
Diehards Line:
Rice's potential availability was among the topics Schneider discussed during a pre-draft meeting with reporters. Rice was injured midway through last season, which was his third in Seattle since signing a five-year, $41 million contract. Seattle released him last month in an expected move that kept the team from having to pay his $8.5 million 2014 salary. He rejoined the Seahawks on a one-year, $1.4 million deal, choosing to return to Seattle over what he said was a larger offer from the Jets. "When we released him it was hard," Schneider said, "but we explained the landscape to Sidney and his representative and we stayed in contact with him all the way through it. ..." As NFL.com notes, if Rice -- who has battled knee issues for several years -- can stay healthy, he is a good outside complement for the defending Super Bowl champs. And perhaps even a viable fantasy football threat who will be available at a reasonable value.