The signing of wide receiver Sidney Rice gives the Seahawks a formidable set of weapons in the passing game.

Rice struggled somewhat with injuries his first four seasons (all with Minnesota) and missed 16 total games. But he flashed his excellent potential in a breakout 2009 season. Rice played all 16 games, caught 83 passes for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s already made an impression with his play during training camp.

“Sidney obviously is just crazy competitive about the football; he just can go after everything,” Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said in a press conference. “He’ already made a half-dozen circus catches in just a few days, so it’s going to be really exciting to watch him and see what he brings.”

Rice also brings experience with new quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, the two played together in Minnesota. Both of the players also have experience with Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who was with them on the Vikings.

“It’s great. It’s always good to be around familiar people you know well,” Rice said in a press conference. “Also, Bevell. I know the offense and didn’t have to learn anything new.”

Rice had hip surgery in August 2010 and wasn’t able to play with the Vikings until November. He was productive in six games (17 receptions, 280 yards, two touchdowns) before he suffered a concussion in Week 16 and missed the rest of the season.

Rice can go downfield and also brings another dimension, height. He stands 6-foot-4, which teamed with the Seahawks’ leading receiver in 2010, 6-foot-5 Mike Williams, gives the Seahawks quite a duo.

Williams proved to be an excellent possession receiver – he had four games with eight or more receptions but scored just two touchdowns on the season. Williams and Rice complement each other well.

“I know what kind of receiver he is and I know he has a great knack for the ball and coming down with it and I’m looking forward to lining up on the opposite side of him,” Rice said of Williams.

The team also has speedy wideouts in Golden Tate and Deon Butler. Tate played sparingly last season. He has excellent hands but struggled running routes, which is something that should improve in his second year. Butler was having a productive season before fracturing his leg in Week 14. He’s still working back from the injury.