NFL Free Agency 2012: Ravens And Ray Rice Making No Progress On Long Term Deal

We have heard over the past several weeks that the Baltimore Ravens intend to retain the services of Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice. As of this moment however they aren’t showing it.

Multiple reports — including those from ProFootballTalk.com and NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora — indicate that the Ravens have had no significant talks with Rice on a new contract at this time and have instead been focusing their attention on extending the contract of quarterback Joe Flacco, who will become a free agent in 2013.

Iit is also reported that Rice would be “very unhappy” should a franchise tag be applied to him and in particular if this were to happen without serious contract talks resulting in a top of the line long term deal. This is leading to speculation that the possibility of Rice moving onto another team for the right deal isn’t out of the question contrary to popular belief.

One team who would make alot of sense would be the New England Patriots. The Patriots have two first-round picks this year and could comfortably trade them both for a player of Rice’s talent as both picks are late in the first-round.

The other team who I believe could make a big play for Rice would be the Green Bay Packers. To them it would be well worth giving up the 28th pick in the draft along with their first-round pick in next year’s draft. A running back like Rice, when added to their arsenal of offensive weapons, would provide the missing link that could turn this juggernaut team into a dynasty not seen since the original Patriots run of the early 2000s.

Whatever the case, this is a story to watch. As the pressure mounts on the Ravens to give Rice the deal he wants, you will hear more about the possibility of the Pro Bowl running back moving on. If they want to keep Ray Rice, the Baltimore Ravens must put their attention to his contract before doing anything else. To lose such an important piece could cripple the Ravens for years to come.

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