The Seahawks didn't bring the greatest receiver in NFL history up from Oakland to use him as a decoy or to set an example
in the locker room.
They want Jerry Rice, with all his glorious receiving numbers, to try to help them reach the Super Bowl this season.
``I can really envision something good happening here,'' coach Mike Holmgren said Tuesday. ``I brought him in here to catch
passes and help us win games as a player. I want him to think about playing football.''
The 42-year-old Rice, the NFL career leader in receptions (1,524), receiving yards (22,533) and receiving touchdowns (194),
joined the Seahawks on Tuesday in a deal that sent a conditional seventh-round draft choice in 2005 to Oakland.
Rice helped San Francisco win three Super Bowl titles, two of them when Holmgren was an assistant coach with the 49ers.
``We are dead serious about trying to get to the Super Bowl,'' Holmgren said. ``That's what we're all about. To be able
to add a great player, one of the greatest players of all time, just makes perfect sense to me.''
Rice wasn't utilized much by the Raiders this season, catching only five passes for 67 yards and no touchdowns. In a 31-3
loss to Denver on Sunday, he didn't have a pass thrown to him. His record receptions' streak ended at 274 in Week 2 against
Buffalo.
Rice wanted out of Oakland (2-4).
``You know what,'' he said. ``I really don't feel different. I think the main thing is how you utilize me. The opportunities
that you give me. I think I'm capable of doing what I did 20 years ago. I just have to have the opportunities.''
Raiders owner Al Davis tried to get a deal done quickly, even if it meant getting less in return.
``It was Jerry Rice who made the decision, and we honestly tried to accommodate him the best we can,'' Davis said. ``All
we're getting is a conditional seventh-round draft pick. We accepted the trade out of respect for Jerry. We wanted to accommodate
Jerry. ... This is best for him, best for this team and best for coach Norv Turner.''
The trade reunites Rice with a coach who helped developed his talents in Rice's early NFL seasons. Holmgren was the 49ers'
quarterbacks coach from 1986-88 and offensive coordinator from 1989-91 when Rice was developing into a star.
When San Francisco released Rice after the 2000 season, Holmgren tried to persuade him to come to Seattle. But Rice elected
to stay in the Bay Area and continue his career with the Raiders.
Although the Seahawks will continue to go with Koren Robinson and Darrell Jackson as their starting receivers, Rice will play plenty with his new team, and Holmgren plans to use more four-receiver sets.
Rice will move from flanker, a position he has played his entire career and where Jackson starts, to split end.
Rice will wear No. 80, which was worn by former
Seahawks receiver Steve Largent from 1976-89. Largent, who went on to become a four-term U.S. congressman from Oklahoma, was
elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995.
The number was retired by the team in 1995 after Largent's induction in Canton, Ohio, and hasn't been worn by a Seattle
player since he left.
Rice asked Largent for permission to bring back the number, which Rice has worn throughout his NFL career, and received
Largent's blessing.
``When he said that, it sent chills through my body,'' Rice said. ``It meant the world to me. I know what he did for this
team. When you think about the Seattle Seahawks, you think about Steve Largent.''
The Seahawks will pay the $873,529 remaining on Rice's $1.35 million contract this season.
Seattle, which has lost two in a row, might be without third wide receiver Bobby Engram this weekend at Arizona. Engram sprained his left ankle in a 30-20 loss to New England on Sunday.
Holmgren said Rice would play against the Cardinals.
