Sidney Rice confirmed in a text message to Chip Scoggins this morning that he had undergone hip surgery at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo. on Monday.

Brett Favre takes a hit. Rice was by far Favre’s favorite receiver and a guy he seemed to have a genuine bond with. Peter King spoke this morning about Favre and Rice in the locker room after their final game of last season and how it was obvious that Favre had a different connection with Rice than he did the other players. This is a significant blow for Favre. Especially given the uncertainties surrounding WR Percy Harvin. If there is any upside here, it’s for Bernard Berrian. Berrian owners are still stinging from the hamstring woes he suffered last season but it does look like Berrian becomes a guy that will be leaned upon much more heavily now. Veteran Greg Lewis and first-year player Logan Payne will have an opportunity to contribute. TE Visanthe Shiancoe will also be leaned on more one would assume.

Bottom line is a huge blow for the Vikings and Rice. And a significant downgrade for Favre losing not just his best WR, but his go to guy.

Yeah Rice should be out for half the season. Things are getting sticky over in Minnesota. It looks like Harvin will jump up the depth chart for now despite his migraines and Berrian will move into the WR2 role (or the other way around). According to my depth chart, Berrian had already jumped passed Harvin so he could actually be the WR1. Either Greg Lewis or soon to be signed Javon Walker will be WR3.

I think this will be an interesting situation to watch and likely it will lead to some desirable sleepers getting out of bed for awhile. We’ll have to watch and see.

The Vikings made another move to bolster their wide receiver corps. http://brunoboys.net/forum/viewthread/3793/

This is a good example of why leagues should wait until after week 3 to have their drafts.  I’ve seen Rice rated anywhere from WR4-WR10 which is a huge loss for anyone that drafted him.  I had Rice & Fitz last year, but decided to keep Fitz for 2010…..good move until he sprained his knee.

I’m on the same page as you Rudy53420…if you can avoid a league with a draft before Week 3 of the preseason, your better off for it. Unfortunately it doesn’t always work that way. I drafted Rice in a couple of Expert Leagues, and I’m going to feel the pain for a while.