Thank You Ray Rice

[YYZ66]

I'm sure most of you have seen the ridiculous contract the Titans have given Chris Johnson.

[url="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Tennessee-Titans-Chris-Johnson-new-contract-090111/?GT1=39002"]http://msn.foxsports...0111/?GT1=39002[/url]

This is from the article:

The Titans revised his contract a year ago moving some money up in his contract, but he still was set to earn only $1.065 million for this season.

So, he was set to make [i]only[/i] $1.065 million?
Does anyone know how much Ray is set to make this year? $555,000.

[url="http://www.sportscity.com/NFL/Baltimore-Ravens-Salaries"]http://www.sportscit...Ravens-Salaries[/url]

So, Mr. Johnson was set to make twice the amount our Ray is going to make. Yet, Mr. Johnson held out. I believe we can argue that Ray is one of the most underpaid players in the NFL, can't we? What has Ray done this year? Got to camp on time, and is working his tail off to help get the Ravens to the playoffs.

Mr. Rice, you are a prime example of why we love our Ravens!
Again, thank you Ray.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

Ha that is a good point and I hope he has no aspirations of getting that kind of deal when his is up although he would deserve it way more than CJ2payme.

[757RavensFan]

Playing devil's advocate here, not so fast on your praise. If Rice was to hold out, it would be next year when his contract is up for renewal.

[PuRock]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1314907785' post='772711']
Playing devil's advocate here, not so fast on your praise. If Rice was to hold out, it would be next year when his contract is up for renewal.
[/quote]

Ray Rice is a FA next year. So he can't hold out. He and CJ entered the league the same year.

I'm sure Ray Rice is a bit jealous that CJ held out and got 30M in guaranteed money while he's making 555k this year. But if Rice explodes this year, he'll get his.

I would like to see us get Rice and Joe's contract extensions after we finalize Ngata's deal. Would prefer Rice's contract extension to occur before the offseason.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

As much as I admire Rice's work ethic, it is too early to praise him for not holding out. Yes, he most certainly is underpaid, but that will change soon and I hope we keep hold of him.

[PuRock]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1314908377' post='772728']
As much as I admire Rice's work ethic, it is too early to praise him for not holding out. Yes, he most certainly is underpaid, but that will change soon and I hope we keep hold of him.
[/quote]

Exactly. Worse case scenario. Ngata's contract negotiations could go into the next off season. With all that going on, Rice could get big money thrown at him from some other team than the Ravens. Doubt we would still be praising him then.

That's why I would like to see the Ngata deal get down in the next 10 days, then focus on giving Flacco and Rice extensions. I'd hate to see the perfect storm next season.

[JO_75]

Isn't Grubbs contract up after this season as well? I want this Ngata deal done so we can focus on getting Rice and Joe done either mid-season, or the end of the season before Free Agency begins. We'll have to pay Rice similar to CJ but Rice seems to be a team player so he may take less to stay with us. The Vikings should be the only team worried about CJ's deal considering AP is coming up on a contract extension soon.

[YYZ66]

How many years do they need to become unrestricted? Can't remember, just wondering if Ray will be restricted or not.

[PuRock]

[quote name='YYZ66' timestamp='1314911185' post='772770']
How many years do they need to become unrestricted? Can't remember, just wondering if Ray will be restricted or not.
[/quote]

With the new CBA the rule reverts back to 4 years. So a player only needs 4 years before he is a unrestricted FA. Ray Rice would be a unrestricted FA next year.

[PuRock]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1314910740' post='772765']
Isn't Grubbs contract up after this season as well? I want this Ngata deal done so we can focus on getting Rice and Joe done either mid-season, or the end of the season before Free Agency begins. We'll have to pay Rice similar to CJ but Rice seems to be a team player so he may take less to stay with us. The Vikings should be the only team worried about CJ's deal considering AP is coming up on a contract extension soon.
[/quote]

He is. Also Flacco isn't a FA until 2013. I was thinking 2012, so we still have some time. Still like to see him locked up.

So in order of importance
1) Ngata
2) Rice (2012)
3) Grubbs (2012)
4) Flacco (2013)

JJ is up to next year. But we'll probably let him walk. Same with Cory Redding.

[YYZ66]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1314911443' post='772774']

With the new CBA the rule reverts back to 4 years. So a player only needs 4 years before he is a unrestricted FA. Ray Rice would be a unrestricted FA next year.
[/quote]

Dang, that's what I thought. Would have been nice if he would be restricted.

As mentioned, it's time to get Ngata's deal done and work on some of the other priorities!

[AsianRice]

I think Ozzie works his butt off since day 1. I don't recall we let any of the future of the team walks off. Ozzie knows who he would definitely keep for a very long term. It's just a matter of time....but as a typical fan, I'm impatient to wait that long to hear the news of our great players getting locked down for a long term.

[nk02442]

No way we are going to be able to keep all those guys. I can see grubs taking big money and walking.

[mhead66]

[quote name='nk02442' timestamp='1314913861' post='772810']
No way we are going to be able to keep all those guys. I can see grubs taking big money and walking.
[/quote]
He just might, if he can command big $.

But, honestly, after losing Jason Brown - which I STILL think was a mistake - I think Ozzie will make a strenuous effort to keep Grubbs. Grubbs is a quiet, unnoticed - and EXCELLENT OG.

[POE]

We will definitely be able to keep all of those guys, are you kidding? There will have to be restructured deals and some guys will have to be let go but there is no reason why these guys won't be re-signed no matter how much it costs. They are our now and our future, now way they walk!

Edit- You also have to factor in some of the older guys that will be hanging it up in the next few years.

[JamesRules]

People like Ray like the team and are so focused that they don't care about money. In his eyes, he's just playing the game and having a fun time. Chris is probably worried about injuries and he wants to be known as one of the greats. I'm sure Chris is somewhat upset being on the Titans. Both players are not greedy, Chris just wants the new Ferrari right now plus he's a running back so he has reason for whatever he does.

[K-Dog]

good for Ray. Ya gotta love a good work ethic.

[svt2nv04]

[quote name='POE' timestamp='1314915497' post='772837']
Edit- You also have to factor in some of the older guys that will be hanging it up in the next few years.
[/quote]

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

[D_UP]

If ray did hold out this offseason like johnson, I wouldn't have blamed him one bit. He's a knee injury away from maybe ending his career. In the words of prime pay da' man.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1314910236' post='772757']
Exactly. Worse case scenario. Ngata's contract negotiations could go into the next off season. With all that going on, Rice could get big money thrown at him from some other team than the Ravens. Doubt we would still be praising him then.

That's why I would like to see the Ngata deal get down in the next 10 days, then focus on giving Flacco and Rice extensions. I'd hate to see the perfect storm next season.
[/quote]

Agreed. The CBA certainly didn't do us any favors when they ruled that players are unrestricted after four years of service.

[edreedfromtheu]

I think a lot of people, especially Ravens fans... tend to over-value Ray Rice.

Bottom line is, pretty much any back behind this line has had success. As much grief as the offensive line has gotten... McGahee(who many say was past his prime) was able to run just fine behind them. LeRon McClain(a converted fullback) was able to run very well behind the line.

The bottom line is, running backs are a dime a dozen(that means there are plenty of them). There's just no need to give a huge contract to one when you can get any veteran, any rookie, any RB who can fill in just fine. The game has changed it's rules to really promote the passing game.

It's great that Ray Rice showed up on time to camp, and didn't hold out. But perhaps his reasoning isn't exactly because he's a "saint" and maybe more because he realizes that he has it really good with the Ravens. If he holds out trying to get a huge contract, the Ravens might just tell him to go ahead and chase money... at which point he could end up in a much worse situation than he's in now.

Sure, he'll enjoy the money. But he won't enjoy his job nearly as much. Just ask Barry Sanders... it wasn't worth battering your body for no shot at the playoffs and a losing team.

[FerrariFan87]

Rice is going to get paid handsomely this coming offseason. He's not going anywhere. The Ravens will Franchise him to make sure that doesn't happen.

[Jamal]

Ray Rice will be demanding just as much, if not more than CJ2K. Lets thank CJ and his agent for that. lol

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1314917853' post='772879']
I think a lot of people, especially Ravens fans... tend to over-value Ray Rice.

Bottom line is, pretty much any back behind this line has had success. As much grief as the offensive line has gotten... McGahee(who many say was past his prime) was able to run just fine behind them. LeRon McClain(a converted fullback) was able to run very well behind the line.

The bottom line is, running backs are a dime a dozen(that means there are plenty of them). There's just no need to give a huge contract to one when you can get any veteran, any rookie, any RB who can fill in just fine. The game has changed it's rules to really promote the passing game.

It's great that Ray Rice showed up on time to camp, and didn't hold out. But perhaps his reasoning isn't exactly because he's a "saint" and maybe more because he realizes that he has it really good with the Ravens. If he holds out trying to get a huge contract, the Ravens might just tell him to go ahead and chase money... at which point he could end up in a much worse situation than he's in now.

Sure, he'll enjoy the money. But he won't enjoy his job nearly as much. Just ask Barry Sanders... it wasn't worth battering your body for no shot at the playoffs and a losing team.
[/quote]

I get what you're saying, but I also think you're downplaying Rice's value to our offense. He was a complete steal for us in the second round and we won't easily replace him.

[flynismo]

Ray Rice is far from dime a dozen.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1314917853' post='772879']
I think a lot of people, especially Ravens fans... tend to over-value Ray Rice.

Bottom line is, pretty much any back behind this line has had success. As much grief as the offensive line has gotten... McGahee(who many say was past his prime) was able to run just fine behind them. LeRon McClain(a converted fullback) was able to run very well behind the line.

The bottom line is, running backs are a dime a dozen(that means there are plenty of them). There's just no need to give a huge contract to one when you can get any veteran, any rookie, any RB who can fill in just fine. The game has changed it's rules to really promote the passing game.

It's great that Ray Rice showed up on time to camp, and didn't hold out. But perhaps his reasoning isn't exactly because he's a "saint" and maybe more because he realizes that he has it really good with the Ravens. If he holds out trying to get a huge contract, the Ravens might just tell him to go ahead and chase money... at which point he could end up in a much worse situation than he's in now.

Sure, he'll enjoy the money. But he won't enjoy his job nearly as much. Just ask Barry Sanders... it wasn't worth battering your body for no shot at the playoffs and a losing team.
[/quote]
While I agree that RBs in general are not as valuable as they used to be, not all backs are created equal. Rice has accumulated almost 4,000 yds from scrimmage over the past 2 seasons. Thats not the kind of production you can get from an average RB. I think its ridiculous that Chris Johnson is getting paid 13M a year, and I certianly hope that Rice isnt looking to make that kind of money, but he does deserve to get paid in the 7-9M a year range.

[Mount-Cody]

I didn't know Lamar Divins was making that much money....Hmmmmmm.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1314917853' post='772879']
I think a lot of people, especially Ravens fans... tend to over-value Ray Rice.

Bottom line is, pretty much any back behind this line has had success. As much grief as the offensive line has gotten... McGahee(who many say was past his prime) was able to run just fine behind them. LeRon McClain(a converted fullback) was able to run very well behind the line.

The bottom line is, running backs are a dime a dozen(that means there are plenty of them). There's just no need to give a huge contract to one when you can get any veteran, any rookie, any RB who can fill in just fine. The game has changed it's rules to really promote the passing game.

It's great that Ray Rice showed up on time to camp, and didn't hold out. But perhaps his reasoning isn't exactly because he's a "saint" and maybe more because he realizes that he has it really good with the Ravens. If he holds out trying to get a huge contract, the Ravens might just tell him to go ahead and chase money... at which point he could end up in a much worse situation than he's in now.

Sure, he'll enjoy the money. But he won't enjoy his job nearly as much. Just ask Barry Sanders... it wasn't worth battering your body for no shot at the playoffs and a losing team.
[/quote]

Seriously? Come on, now... first it's Flacco, now Rice?

[1/28/01]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1314917853' post='772879']
I think a lot of people, especially Ravens fans... tend to over-value Ray Rice.
Bottom line is, pretty much any back behind this line has had success.  As much grief as the offensive line has gotten... McGahee(who many say was past his prime) was able to run just fine behind them.  LeRon McClain(a converted fullback) was able to run very well behind the line.
The bottom line is, running backs are a dime a dozen(that means there are plenty of them).  There's just no need to give a huge contract to one when you can get any veteran, any rookie, any RB who can fill in just fine.  The game has changed it's rules to really promote the passing game.

It's great that Ray Rice showed up on time to camp, and didn't hold out.  But perhaps his reasoning isn't exactly because he's a "saint" and maybe more because he realizes that he has it really good with the Ravens.  If he holds out trying to get a huge contract, the Ravens might just tell him to go ahead and chase money... at which point he could end up in a much worse situation than he's in now.
Sure, he'll enjoy the money.  But he won't enjoy his job nearly as much.  Just ask Barry Sanders... it wasn't worth battering your body for no shot at the playoffs and a losing team.
[/quote]
You never cease to amaze me!

[CorvusCorax]

Ray Rice is the type of player that will get endorsements and commercial ads. I see him as being the future face of the NFL. I believe that Rice is on a team that will not do him wrong either.

Ray Rice is doing it right and CJ2PayMe, well...