Ravens and Rice Contract Negotiations At Standstill
by WestminsterRaven on Feb 17, 2012 11:00 AM EST
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While things may be peachy in Joe Flacco’s household this week on the heels of recent news stating that the Baltimore Ravens and Flacco’s agent, Joe Linta, are scheduled to begin contract extension talks in Indianapolis next week, it seems that Ray Rice isn’t so fortunate. According to a story on ProFootballTalk.com, the Ravens and Rice are at a stand-still on the impending free-agent’s contract negotiations.
The two-time All Pro Rice (2009, 2011), is set to become perhaps the most sought after talent in this free-agency class. Unfortunately for potential suitors around the league that may be prepared to throw bundles of cash at Rice, the Ravens aren’t very likely to let arguably their most talented offensive player just stroll out of Baltimore. Through his first four years, the versatile running back has totaled: 4,377 rushing yards with a 4.6 yards- per-carry average, and 24 touchdowns. Rice also has garnered: 2,235 receiving yards with an 8.6 yards-per-catch average, and 5 touchdowns. As the Ravens’ offensive centerpiece, they simply cannot allow Rice to even sniff free-agency.
If the Ravens and Ray Rice are unable to come to an agreement on the numbers and figures, the Ravens will have the ability to place the Franchise Tag on Rice which would net the star running back a salary of about $7.7 million for the 2012 season and keep him in Baltimore. Although it’s not the long term deal that both the Ravens and Rice want to get done, it’s still a hefty pay raise over the estimated $555,000 Rice earned for the 2011 season.
(After the "Jump", see what placing the Franchise Tag on Rice could mean for other Ravens free-agents-to-be)
Unless the Ravens and Rice can come to an agreement, expect the Franchise Tag to be used as a temporary solution to keep Rice as a Raven until a long-term deal can be worked out. Unfortunately, this means that a new deal with impending free-agent left guard, Ben Grubbs, is more than likely not going to occur. Initially it seemed as though the Ravens would be able to use the Franchise Tag on Grubbs after a contract extension was finalized with Rice, but with this recent news the chances that Grubbs remains a Raven seem slimmer than ever.
With Grubbs set to become a free-agent, there will be many teams around the league that will offer him a big-time contract. As one of the most talented offensive lineman in this year’s free-agency class, it is unlikely that the Ravens will be able to offer Grubbs the kind of money that he’ll see on the open market.
Although all of this news may be disappointing to the Ravens faithful, don’t give up on your hopes just yet. The Ravens’ front office is known for being one of the best in the entire NFL, so if there is anyone that could pull off a little magic, it’d be them. Free-agency begins on March 13th and teams can begin placing the Franchise Tag on their players as early as this coming Monday, February 20th, so there is still a little time to work with.
Let’s all hope for the best, and Mr. Ozzie Newsome, if you’re listening, please: "Pay Da Man!"
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He said something like he wouldn't be surprised if it happened
and that he knows it is used to buy time, so he still wants a long term deal this offseason, even if the franchise tag comes first.
The lawyers …Rice has a million yards from scrimmage on an offense that is consistently average. $48M please. Thank you, cam.
by Evan Skev on Feb 17, 2012 1:09 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Great news for Bengals fans
as we as fans are looking at both players, we’re 60 millino under the cap and either or both would solve 1 or 2 of our needs, keep those negotiations going as long as you have to…;)
personally
I don’t want to see Marvin fired, I want him to be promoted to G.M. while handing the reigns over to Zimmer as head coach. Who Dey!!!
by joeb69 on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST replyactions 2 recs
Ain’t no way, no how. Sorry. Rice said he’d sign the tag if he has to without even sweating it.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
"53 Mighty Men of Baltimore"
by WestminsterRaven on Feb 17, 2012 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
oh, I agree
that just means my Bengals get Grubbs!!! ;)
personally
I don’t want to see Marvin fired, I want him to be promoted to G.M. while handing the reigns over to Zimmer as head coach. Who Dey!!!
by joeb69 on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST replyactions 2 recs
That’d be a lot more likely to happen. Unfortunate, but that’s the business part if the NFL. Ozzies still got a few weeks to work some deals out if he can so there’s some time. A few guys will probably end up getting cut like: CB Foxworth (hasn’t played in almost two years), CB Carr (younger/cheaper/better options on the roster), WR Evans will probably get cut or have his deal re structured. We’ll have a decent amount of cap space once the team starts making cuts.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
"53 Mighty Men of Baltimore"
by WestminsterRaven on Feb 17, 2012 4:17 PM EST up reply actions
well
we got 60 million??? we’ll be big time players in FA, thinking Grubbs and or Nicks, 17 and 21 in the first round, we may make a play on Mike Wallace to compliment Green if it just means giving up #21 so, like I said, it’s a great time to be a Bengals fan, btw, Stanford Routt in our house today and we just Re-signe Hue Jackson as an Asst. coach, seems like our crazy owner has actually given the team to Marvin Lewis and crew once and for all!!!
personally
I don’t want to see Marvin fired, I want him to be promoted to G.M. while handing the reigns over to Zimmer as head coach. Who Dey!!!
by joeb69 on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST replyactions 2 recs
60 million to finally buy a team that can contend? Ha, sorry I kid, I kid. Grubbs and def. Nicks won’t come cheap at all. You guys could use a good #2 WR to compliment Greene. It’s a good time to look at WRs in FA and Draft. Think you snag Lamar Miller in the 1st this year? See a lot if mocks with you guys taking him to replace Benson.
I’m thinking you will take Miller and a CB in the first, or trade one of your 1st picks away and take some team for a ride for a ton of of extra picks. You guys could use an extra pass rusher too I think, right?
As far as Hue, a lot of people around here wanted to see him back with the Ravens, but the rumored attitude and control issues with Oakland turned some people off.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
"53 Mighty Men of Baltimore"
by WestminsterRaven on Feb 17, 2012 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
lol
I get it, I truly do, but times they are a changing, time will tell and you will see, with 60 mill Grubbs AND Nicks are doable, Miller is a rumored possibility, but I don’t see it, I think if Richardson doesn’t fall to 17 we’ll wait for Martin or Wilson in the second, just depends on how the draft shakes out. CB is a possible 1st if we don’t use our 21 for Wallace, most of our fans order goes like this, Decastro, Richardson, Kirkpatrick, Gilmore, not sure if they will be there but, who knows, we could land 2 of those 4, if not we could trade back. Hue actually started under Marvin as our WR’s coach so there’s some knowledge of him from us as well, he’s just an Asst. on the team so, don’t think he’s gonna be seeking too much control, honestly, I think we just rewarded him a job for the Palmer trade ;)
personally
I don’t want to see Marvin fired, I want him to be promoted to G.M. while handing the reigns over to Zimmer as head coach. Who Dey!!!
by joeb69 on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST replyactions 2 recs
Yea, I was just messing with you. You guys have a good offense building now. You’re front office just has to stay out of it’s own way and keep making good decisions. With another solid draft, it should make it almost a three horse race for the division. Could get interesting. I did a story a few weeks ago on why the AFCN is the toughest place to play in the league.
I def. see you guys taking one of these good CBs in the 1st round. You guys have some depth at RB, but no real #1 right, outside of the hit-or-miss Benson? Heard some rumblings that perhaps you’d look at Hillis from Cleveland? Who knows. And I really really doubt Richardson drops to 17th, I think that’s a pipe dream.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
"53 Mighty Men of Baltimore"
by WestminsterRaven on Feb 18, 2012 2:32 AM EST up reply actions
I don't think Richardson drops either
but the Rb position is no longer valued like it used to be , so he might, we as fans want no part of Hillis, now, Micheal Bush,,, we have some mixed feelings about, we’re def. after a cb, Routt was in yesterday, also some rumblings about Webb around here too. lots of talk about Tyvon Branch and Micheal Huff if/when he gets cut, anyway, lots of optimism around here and I think since the 80’s it’s well deserved, we as fans stood together against Brown last year and it worked these are the best decisions I’ve seen come out of the front office since the 80’s…honestly.
personally
I don’t want to see Marvin fired, I want him to be promoted to G.M. while handing the reigns over to Zimmer as head coach. Who Dey!!!
by joeb69 on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST replyactions 2 recs
Ozzie’s either going to extend Webb or place a nice tender on him so teams don’t even bother trying. He’s too valuable. I think it’d be better to draft one in the 1st than to pursue a guy like Webb who will cost you an arm and a leg.
Routt would be good, probably wants big money but might be worth a decent contract.
Richardson isn’t dropping that far. He just won’t. I know RB isn’t valued much anymore, but for a guy who’s been called as the best RB prospect since Peterson, if he makes it out of the top 10 I’d be amazed. You’d have a shot at Polk in the bottom half of the 1st though.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
"53 Mighty Men of Baltimore"
by WestminsterRaven on Feb 18, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
According to his agent
Rice will take it, sign it right away and get back to working out to prove he’ll get paid even more after the 2012-13 season.
aka 'Rexx'
Bungles fans: we all know that brown will manage to screw everything up… You know..we know… Everyone knows
by Evan Skev on Feb 17, 2012 5:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I would agree
except what he’s done these last 2 or 3 years seems to tell me he’s turned the reigns over to someone more competent, I agree as an outsider of the team your skeptic and it’s understandable, but as a fan of the BENGALS, not Bungles!!! I have seen the changes and I can sense many more to come, but only time will tell.
personally
I don’t want to see Marvin fired, I want him to be promoted to G.M. while handing the reigns over to Zimmer as head coach. Who Dey!!!
by joeb69 on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST replyactions 2 recs
You have hope.. I have reality… Brown is a stingy owner who will disappoint you while pocketing the difference…. Yet again
by Evan Skev on Feb 17, 2012 8:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
we'll see
God Evan…I hope your wrong.
personally
I don’t want to see Marvin fired, I want him to be promoted to G.M. while handing the reigns over to Zimmer as head coach. Who Dey!!!
by joeb69 on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST replyactions 2 recs
Anything can happen…pitt is in flux with cap issues and the arians firing is going to sink them unless rothlis decides to do a 180… They could also lose Wallace and they are certainly losing 6starters…
by Evan Skev on Feb 18, 2012 6:26 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Dalton could regress but he is a very good QB and if your FO can weaken Baltimore or pitt or both while upgrading… who knows… Bungles could take the div
I’m expecting another brown screw up… We shall see
by Evan Skev on Feb 18, 2012 6:28 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yerah, we'll see
but, my optimism comes from the thought that Brown’s no longer captaining the ship…I truly and honestly believe Marvin Lewis is in full control, too many good decisions being made.
personally
I don’t want to see Marvin fired, I want him to be promoted to G.M. while handing the reigns over to Zimmer as head coach. Who Dey!!!
by joeb69 on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST replyactions 2 recs
I highly doubt the team has even begun talking to Rice’s agent about a deal, so to say negotiations are at a “standstill” is misleading. The combine is approaching, so I’m sure the front office is focused on that right now instead of any player contracts. They’ll franchise Rice and (hopefully) come to an agreement over the next few months.
It’s common knowledge that negotiations have begun and that a long-term contract is both deserved and in everyone’s best interest.
Using the franchise tag is not an attractive option as it ties up dollars while negotiations continue towards the inevitable… This is expected to be one of pitt’s many problems this offseason as teams are expected to force rooney to continue to meddle in the FO by ordering them to franchise Wallace… Good stuff
by Evan Skev on Feb 17, 2012 8:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Evan, you have no common knowledge about anything, so you can’t claim that negotiations with Rice have begun. But I guess I should expect that from such a dysfunctional twit.
Check Twitter and Google news… It’s common knowledge
And why would you think that they haven’t spoken with France about one of the most important pieces of the upcoming season? Contemplate
by Evan Skev on Feb 18, 2012 2:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I believe La Canfora did report that they haven’t actually had any serious discussion yet regarding his contract. I’m pretty sure they are just focused on the Flacco deal right now then will move on to Rice next.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Yep, it’s going to be a waiting game for both guys. One side of the negotiations is going to get the raw end of the deal if they sign this early.
daytime commentator. night time ninja.
I just wish the FO had worked with Rice first and taken care of Flacco later as he’s still under contract through this year, Rice isn’t. Now, we could have to use the tag on Rice where that could’ve been used elsewhere like on Grubbs.
I wrote this story cause I thought it was worth discussing, whether or not they are actually working with Rice on a deal. Unfortunatley, I don’t have any of my own sources so I have to roll with looking through all of the news clippings, haha.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
"53 Mighty Men of Baltimore"
by WestminsterRaven on Feb 18, 2012 1:00 PM EST up reply actions
I just don’t think they have the money to tag Grubbs. The OL tag is like 9.5 mill I believe and I just don’t think they want to pay that even for a year.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
That would make sense. But, we could still use the tag on a guy like JJ even. I just want to see us make some cap space by starting cuts. Fox is gone I’m sure, Carr….eh, and Evans. I’m anxious to see what they do with those 3 guys.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
"53 Mighty Men of Baltimore"
by WestminsterRaven on Feb 18, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
The tag for JJ would be roughly the same at around 9.5 mill, so I mean that would obviously be way too much as well. The only reasonable player who is actually worth the tag prices that is available is Rice. I’m with you it would be great to get more room for Grubbs, but I just don’t thing the tag is even an option for anyone other than Rice.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Yea….I’m just trying to be optimistic. Haha. You’re crushing my dreams AV!!!!
I just want a solid o-line. Especially with more 7-8 second long developing plays on the horizon.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
"53 Mighty Men of Baltimore"
by WestminsterRaven on Feb 18, 2012 1:27 PM EST up reply actions
lol my bad. I’m sure we will get it figured out. Lots of FA’s out there this year which means it’s a buyers market. Guards are pretty easy to find so I’m sure we will find a solid vet at probably a third or fourth of the price of Grubbs. That’s what Ozzie does best.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Yea, we’ll have to get a G thought FA probably. I went through the list and there weren’t any that really popped out at me, but like you said, Ozzie will get the right guy for the right price.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
"53 Mighty Men of Baltimore"
by WestminsterRaven on Feb 18, 2012 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah most guards aren’t really stand out guys though, so I’m sure there is some. Interior OL develop rather fast so we may have a draft pick who comes in and is ready to play and if not I’m sure we will have a vet that can.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
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