Was 2000 really the right time to let Rice go?

JTsBiggestFan · 2012-06-26T12:31:14-07:00

Looking back, he had nice stats in '01 and '02 with the Raiders, even a super bowl catch against that vaunted Tampa defense. Makes me wonder if we had Rice in '02 could we have gone farther? He seemed ok with the #2 spot behind TO....or was he?

Jun 26, 2012 at 12:37 PM

susweel
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Posts: 122,110

No he was let go to early. I think Bill Walsh later admitted it was a mistake to let him go at that time.

But Bill Walsh always said it was better to let a player go year early rather than a year to late.

Jun 26, 2012 at 12:42 PM

49AllTheTime
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Posts: 72,837

Originally posted by susweel:
No he was let go to early. I think Bill Walsh later admitted it was a mistake to let him go at that time.

But Bill Walsh always said it was better to let a player go year early rather than a year to late.

Mooch was coach

Jun 26, 2012 at 12:43 PM

pdizo916
Member
Posts: 38,241

Originally posted by susweel:
No he was let go to early. I think Bill Walsh later admitted it was a mistake to let him go at that time.

But Bill Walsh always said it was better to let a player go year early rather than a year to late.

I thought it was premature, but oh wellz.

I still got the Raiders Rice jersey.

Jun 26, 2012 at 12:44 PM

susweel
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Posts: 122,110

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:

Originally posted by susweel:
No he was let go to early. I think Bill Walsh later admitted it was a mistake to let him go at that time.

But Bill Walsh always said it was better to let a player go year early rather than a year to late.
Mooch was coach

Walsh was GM

Jun 26, 2012 at 3:41 PM

LasVegasWally
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Posts: 24,877

Rice was let go too early - he had lost a step but was still better than most of the receivers in the league.

Jun 26, 2012 at 3:44 PM

NC49erfan82
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Much as I hate to say it (it kills me) Rice was in a better situation with the Raiders to help him strive more. He would of not had played well as he did with us than he did with Oakland. I think the move actually made his mark with more legacy doing what he did with Oakland to go out and prove that much more he is "The GOAT".

Jun 26, 2012 at 4:07 PM

BayArea
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Posts: 3,664

Probably not. Chemistry between Garcia and Owens was as good as we could get. Rice probably wouldn't have done nearly as well with Garcia. Who knows though, maybe he was let go too soon but I still don't think with him still in frisco they would have gotten to the superbowl again.

Jun 26, 2012 at 6:14 PM

BrianGO
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Posts: 10,300

It was the right move. Garcia and Owens were perfect together; they put up monster numbers. We would have had to pay Rice #1 money and compete with Owens for passes. We needed the cap room.

Jun 26, 2012 at 6:18 PM

49erfeeeever808
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Posts: 31,326

Originally posted by NC49erfan82:
Much as I hate to say it (it kills me) Rice was in a better situation with the Raiders to help him strive more. He would of not had played well as he did with us than he did with Oakland. I think the move actually made his mark with more legacy doing what he did with Oakland to go out and prove that much more he is "The GOAT".

the only real satisfaction i got from that situation was Rice out performing Tim Brown. quickly ending that comparison

Jun 26, 2012 at 10:01 PM

#10

Jiks
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Posts: 29,220

Originally posted by BrianGO:
It was the right move. Garcia and Owens were perfect together; they put up monster numbers. We would have had to pay Rice #1 money and compete with Owens for passes. We needed the cap room.

Don't know if it was the right move but you are right on Owens. He was definitely the new #1 and Rice would have to take the back seat. I don't think he would have accepted that role. That's why I was never too disappointed in the move, even though I wished he would have retired a Niner.

Jun 26, 2012 at 10:27 PM

#11

Chief
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Posts: 28,272

He should still be our receiver, he should die at the age of 96 catching a touchdown in the superbowl, wearing a 49ers jersey.

Jun 26, 2012 at 11:45 PM

#12

DeepNinerValue
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Posts: 60,612

Who needs Rice when you can draft a guy like Rashaun Woods?

Jun 26, 2012 at 11:50 PM

#13

jdt84_2
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Posts: 25,954

Originally posted by 49erfeeeever808:
the only real satisfaction i got from that situation was Rice out performing Tim Brown. quickly ending that comparison .

YES! YES! YES! it's true it's DAMN TRUE!

and my raider fan friends do not hear the end of it.

Jun 26, 2012 at 11:50 PM

#14

goldstandard
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Posts: 1,436

Originally posted by Garcia:
Who needs Rice when you can draft a guy like Rashaun Woods?