[mainepatsfan]

That's what's so frustrating. He was one of the most dominant players in the game for a decade but because he didn't pad his stats late in his career he's being kept out.

[Alberta's Child]

I agree. Rice was one of those odd players who was a dominant player on a good team, but didn't play long enough to put up big career numbers. I would put Milwaukee's Cecil Cooper -- another great player from that era -- in the same category.

I think Rice also hurt himself in this regard by steering clear of the media spotlight as much as possible (if I remember correctly). It's almost like he was a dominant -- but quiet -- player in his prime.