Sean Jensen of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press is reporting that Vikings receiver Sidney Rice credits his outstanding early season play to his workouts during the off-season with former Vikings WR Cris Carter and Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald.

Rice has caught 17 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns so far this season, and seems to have taken the next step up from the talent he showed in his rookie season. Hanging around with a legend like Carter and a future legend in Fitzgerald never hurts, but Rice’s tremendous work ethic has played a big part as well.