Sidney Rice Continues to Benefit from Brett Favre Signing

When the Minnesota Vikings brought Brett Favre out of retirement and onto this roster, the mentality was simple: Be the final piece to bring this franchise a Super Bowl title.

A dominant running game, a top ten defense...however, the quarterback was not the answer the past few seasons in Minnesota.

As Favre and the Vikings finished 13-3, the main publicity on the offense went to Brett, along with Adrian Peterson and AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Percy Harvin.

However, the receiver who has been quiet from a media standpoint but has made noise on the field is Sidney Rice, from the University of South Carolina.

Rice did show potential when drafted two years ago, but could not find the field for some odd reason in 2008.

Favre saw something in Rice more then the previous quarterbacks and coordinators, and just like with any team he has played on, he found his daily target right away.

In 2009, Rice had 83 receptions for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns as he propelled to his first career Pro-Bowl.

At 6'2", 204 pounds, Rice does not have breakaway speed like Percy Harvin, but it has not hurt his production in this offense.

Rice enjoys the weapons around him, which keeps him in one-on-one coverage versus the secondary.

He certainly shined today against the Dallas Cowboys, finishing with three touchdown catches.

Favre is one of the best in the league in developing his wide receivers, including Rice, who has showed his potential this season.

The signing of Favre has not only benefited the Minnesota Vikings as a whole, but was a huge step in the right direction for a young receiver named Sidney Rice, who will continue to develop as a top threat for years to come.

Matt Miselis is an NFL writer for BleacherReport.com.