All mine
Rice sets consecutive games reception record
Posted: Sunday October 25, 1998 08:03 PM
| |
All the right moves: Jerry Rice has caught at least one pass in 184 consecutive games AP |
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Jerry
Rice didn't waste any time adding another NFL record to his collection
Sunday.
Rice extended his pass-catching streak to 184 straight games with a 12-yard
reception on San Francisco's first offensive play in a 28-10 victory over
the St. Louis Rams.
That broke the mark for consecutive games with a catch set by Art Monk from
1980-95.
"There's no doubt [Monk] was one of the best receivers to ever play the
game and it's an honor to break his record," Rice said. "Art Monk, he was
an ideal receiver. The thing I liked about him was that he would show up
for every game and go out there and play."
Rice also is the NFL's career leader in touchdowns (170), touchdown
receptions (159), total receptions (1,092) and yards receiving (17,018).
San Francisco quarterback Steve Young said the latest
record means more because the 49ers have been one of the dominant teams in
the NFL.
"I think it's neat that it came over a period of time when we've won
championships and been successful," Young said. "We've had to work for
every one because people the last four or five years knew the ball was
going to Jerry."
Rice missed 14 games last season with two serious knee injuries, ending his
consecutive-game playing streak at 189. But the reception streak didn't end
because Rice was not in uniform for any of those games.
The Rams double-covered Rice much of the game, holding him to four catches
for 64 yards.
"I think I'm at a point right now where I'm not thinking about my knee,"
Rice said. "Whenever you have a injury like that, you have to protect that
knee.
"Once I get to the point where I'm not working my right side as hard and
everything balances out, I think everything is going to fall in place."
Rice leads the 49ers with 35 catches for 563 yards and has four touchdowns.
"I think Jerry is going to get better and better as he continues to play
and practice," coach Steve Mariucci said. "He's feeling more confident and
he's going to get better as the season goes on."
The last time Rice was shut out was December 1, 1985, near the end of his
rookie season, in a 35-8 victory over Washington.
"He wakes up every morning thinking, 'What can I do to go out and get
better, to play better?'" Young said.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
| 
