Merged: Ray Rice Released and Suspended

[Trailbreaker77]

 

A Bleacher Report REPORTER (not columnist or blogger) just said that he heard from a Raven player that Rice is losing support of the locker room. You can question the validity of the text, but you simply can't outright deny that Rice could be losing the locker room. If he's lost the locker room support, I do expect a release.

 

http://bleacherrepor...amming-national

 

 

I'd have to believe some players in the locker room would have major issues with this latest video.

[ravensdfan]

Rumors are swirling we're gonna release him.

And what a massive distraction. There is a game on Thursday. I feel so bad for the other players. They need to get rid of Rice, no one player is bigger than the team.

 

Not a distraction for a player that wouldn't be playing in that game anyway IMO.

 

I think we'll be alright - even if we're not I just think it has to be done.

[The Raven]

It's hard to rebound from losing locker room confidence. I've seen it happen in both soccer and football. Once that happens, you're as good as dead. Still, I'm not sure it's true. It's so hard to believe what you hear.

 

Well, like I said, it's not out of the realm of possibility that the locker room is giving up on him. It's a very likely possibility, whether the text is real or not. I wouldn't be surprised if some players never gave him support to begin with...

[flynismo]

I'm requesting the mods close this thread because the most of it is sensationalized garbage. Absolute garbage. 

 

I am requesting that you step out of it if you do not wish to discuss it. We are big boys here, and we have things to get off our chest.

[Purple Punishment]

I can't see that happening, but I would like to see them add more to the suspension. I think that saves the Ravens image mostly, and certainly capwise. From the article someone posted with some media sources saying the Ravens had not seen the video, but now that they have, it is in line with what Ray himself had described to them.

How does it protect their image? They already have seen the tape when they came out and tweeted about Janay being sorry for her role as if she did something wrong. Then Harbaugh with his coach speak "We are proud of Ray". That's what got to me the most.

Can't cut him because of the cap hit. Can't cut him anyway for image purposes. They saw the tape and kept him so his actions were acceptable to the team to not punish him any at all.

This tape shows how far the Ravens and Rice went to protect his image. He's a great ball player but smacking the hell out of a woman and then punching her in the head and making her head hit a hand rail rendering her unconscious weighs a lot on his level of character. I'm a PSL holder and will not attend any game he plays in. I can't support a team that is proud of a man that abused his woman.

[fusuymada]

As an average fan, okay maybe a little more than average, I envisioned Rice getting pummeled and defending himself when we heard his lawyer do the hypothetical suppose this or that happened (his wife was hitting him, he defended himself, she must have hit her head). I like everyone else, as Rice was our guy, cut him the benefit of every doubt. Now there is no doubt, those of us who defended him and believed the NFL and Raven line feel betrayed. We believed we knew the truth and that this was a one time thing and Rice would man up. By not addressing exactly what happened and by obfuscating the truth behind lies and deception, it has gone to a different level with me, he is not a man. I argue with the kids that deliberately not telling the truth is the same as lying, so to me, I feel he lied to me. Had he manned up at his press conference and told us what happened maybe this wouldn't be a shock, or maybe no reason to release this if we already knew. But he chose to take the lesser road and the road has now come back to him. If Newsome and Harbaugh can't step up and do what is right and release him, ultimately, it is the owner who is responsible, so he should man up. As painful as it may be to the cap, as painful as it may be to the season, as painful as it will be for Rice to go to another team, sometimes you have to bear the pain. If Harbaugh, Ozzie or Bisciotti simply say the NFL did their due diligence (which they did not do, they actually aided in trying to cover it up, but that's another story), then I have no respect for them or this team. The time has come, the truth is out, now if we still can't do the right thing, then there is something wrong with our leaders from the top on down. I have always been a Ravens fan and supporter and will continue to be, but I will not be a fan of Rice ever and Bisciotti, Harbaugh and Newsome as well. In Ozzie We Trust, but only regarding football issues not as a man.

[Florida Ravens Fan]

As fans we buy merchandise and support this team with our hard earned money, we should have somewhat of a say on this situation.

[PurpleCityLights]

I really don't want to believe that Harbaugh, Ozzie, Bisciotti all saw this video and didn't cut him. It would make it hard to root for this team.

So what do you want, the ugly Truth or a pretty Lie?

[ravensdfan]

For anyone who thinks that the police, NFL, and our front office did not have this video 1 month ago when the suspension and punishment were dealt out, you really are on a witch hunt. 

 

THIS IS NOTHING NEW. IT WAS ALREADY KNOWN REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE NFL CLAIMS. 

 

Um...how do you know that? Did you personally hand it to them?

 

It is possible and they gave Rice a break because of his history of community service and the actions he took since the incident. But, you don't KNOW they already had it.

 

Personally though - I'm not seeing her attacking him in the manner that was claimed. I'm not seeing this being a heat of the moment thing with this video. I'm not seeing this being a reaction to being attacked. It looks like something much different to me and I'd like to see the Ravens' FO take action accordingly at this point.

[flynismo]

I agree with that, but I will say that the Raves owe it to fans to do more than what has been done here. It's too light for to horrible of an act. We won't cut him nor would I, but I would like to see them step up and do more. The Ravens owe it to their fanbase to show more class than to sweep something like this aside.

I have no problem with that. Hell, even before this came out and I was hoping for the best case scenario of Rice acting in self defense, and he merely shoved her or something, I felt he deserved no less than a four game suspension.

[James Allen]

"Let he who is without sin..cast the first stone."

 

You confuse judgement with criticism. Judgement is for Deity, should such exist. Criticism is for fellow citizens. It's what separates community from anarchy.

 

Or is there no behavior you find reprehensible? 

[berad]

"Let he who is without sin..cast the first stone."

 

I was noticing a lot of those tweets from players have teammates with domestic violence / assault on women charges. Wonder what they have to say?

[Ravenatic20]

More displeasure (warning; some profanity):

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/09/08/seth-rogen-other-stars-rip-ray-rice-and-nfl/?intcmp=features

[cobrajet]

Sorry, the more I digest this, Ray has to be cut today. I understand none of us wanted to rush to judgment until we saw the video, now that we saw it, how can we justify still supporting him being on our team? I hope the F.O. does the right thing today or the Ravens may never recover from this in the court of public opinion. They could replay this video before every game when they show the protesters outside M&T Bank Stadium. I wouldn't be surprised if this video led to advertising money and endorsements being pulled from anything associated with the Ravens if we don't cut him today. This is a team PR NIGHTMARE!

[bobbycox]

Boycott all ravens games and merchandise untill that loser butt women beater is kicked off the team

[goldenboldin]

Question to moderators.

 

Could you please direct us to the appropriate contact for the Baltimore Ravens regarding any type of reimbursement or trade-off for Ray Rice jerseys bought via BR Store or NFL shop?

 

Thanks

[James Allen]

... I like everyone else, as Rice was our guy, cut him the benefit of every doubt ...

 

You lost me here. 

[Sizzlebshu]

Um...how do you know that? Did you personally hand it to them?

 

It is possible and they gave Rice a break because of his history of community service and the actions he took since the incident. But, you don't KNOW they already had it.

 

Personally though - I'm not seeing her attacking him in the manner that was claimed. I'm not seeing this being a heat of the moment thing with this video. I'm not seeing this being a reaction to being attacked. It looks like something much different to me and I'd like to see the Ravens' FO take action accordingly at this point.

So the police who have the power to subpeona the hotel had no way to get it right?

 

The NFL, one of the most powerful and profitable organizations in the world, had no way to get it, but TMZ did? 

 

This is absolutely laughable. 

[Trailbreaker77]

As an average fan, okay maybe a little more than average, I envisioned Rice getting pummeled and defending himself when we heard his lawyer do the hypothetical suppose this or that happened (his wife was hitting him, he defended himself, she must have hit her head). I like everyone else, as Rice was our guy, cut him the benefit of every doubt. Now there is no doubt, those of us who defended him and believed the NFL and Raven line feel betrayed. We believed we knew the truth and that this was a one time thing and Rice would man up. By not addressing exactly what happened and by obfuscating the truth behind lies and deception, it has gone to a different level with me, he is not a man. I argue with the kids that deliberately not telling the truth is the same as lying, so to me, I feel he lied to me. Had he manned up at his press conference and told us what happened maybe this wouldn't be a shock, or maybe no reason to release this if we already knew. But he chose to take the lesser road and the road has now come back to him. If Newsome and Harbaugh can't step up and do what is right and release him, ultimately, it is the owner who is responsible, so he should man up. As painful as it may be to the cap, as painful as it may be to the season, as painful as it will be for Rice to go to another team, sometimes you have to bear the pain. If Harbaugh, Ozzie or Bisciotti simply say the NFL did their due diligence (which they did not do, they actually aided in trying to cover it up, but that's another story), then I have no respect for them or this team. The time has come, the truth is out, now if we still can't do the right thing, then there is something wrong with our leaders from the top on down. I have always been a Ravens fan and supporter and will continue to be, but I will not be a fan of Rice ever and Bisciotti, Harbaugh and Newsome as well. In Ozzie We Trust, but only regarding football issues not as a man.

 

 

What other team would want that media disaster? 

[flynismo]

As fans we buy merchandise and support this team with our hard earned money, we should have somewhat of a say on this situation.

 

No, not even remotely close. What is the world coming to when just because we purchase a product, we can meddle in the internal affairs of a business? Should we be able to have our say next time an employee at McDonalds gets in trouble, just because we bought a McDouble a couple months ago?

You can make your statement by refusing to spend your money on this team.

[Sizzlebshu]

I mean I don't know with 100% certainty that they had it, but 99.99999999999999% is close enough for me. 

[James Allen]

Question to moderators.

 

Could you please direct us to the appropriate contact for the Baltimore Ravens regarding any type of reimbursement or trade-off for Ray Rice jerseys bought via BR Store or NFL shop. 

 

Thanks

 

Right on!

[Ravens07]

I had previously defended Rice concerning this incident, knowing his reputation for being a high-character guy and watching his work in the community. I came to the conclusion that Rice was attacked and he defended himself. After watching the video, we all know that isn't true. The Ravens need to take a stand here and do what's right. The integrity of the organization and the city of Baltimore is at stake. We can no longer look the other way. Rice must be released. It's worth the cap hit and the loss of his declining production. Please don't damage Baltimore's image to defend this man.

[Colts fan]

Deplorable actions but at least it doesn't reflect the actions of an entire team, just one person. He'll never be able to talk away his actions towards his then fiancee, and I'm a firm believer that the Raven's organization should release him immediately to get past this and focus on this year's season. If he is released would the Ravens get an exemplary(?) draft pick for their actions? (Sorry, I forget the exact term that's use when a team gets an extra draft pick due to the release of an active player.

I've always heard ray was good for the Baltimore community and has done quite a bit for the city, but I'd still have a hard time seeing him remain in a Raven's uniform. Best to just let go and move on. Goodell has never shown any signs of being consistent in his approach to the way he punishes differing players for differing infractions, so it may be time for him to resign or just be flat out fired as well. Best of luck to the Raven's team this year

 

A Colts fan

[TSizzle00]

"Let he who is without sin..cast the first stone."

 

"Let he who punches women pls go to jail."

[funky141]

That's where you are mistaken. A month ago, we did not know exactly what happened in that elevator. Now we do.

 

But I do agree that people need to stop complaining about the punishment (I am refering to the people who already declared Rice a piece of crap before they even knew the facts). Goodell and the team went easy on him, due to his past, and the things he has done to rectify the situation since then.

I seen the writing on the wall. I knew Ray hit his girlfriend, the severity of it was the question, now we all know.

[Bob21043]

What is the current CAP hit for Ray?

[James Allen]

Sorry, the more I digest this, Ray has to be cut today ... This is a team PR NIGHTMARE!

 

Agreed. Nicely said.

[5aiah]

I had previously defended Rice concerning this incident, knowing his reputation for being a high-character guy and watching his work in the community. I came to the conclusion that Rice was attacked and he defended himself. After watching the video, we all know that isn't true. The Ravens need to take a stand here and do what's right. The integrity of the organization and the city of Baltimore is at stake. We can no longer look the other way. Rice must be released. It's worth the cap hit and the loss of his declining production. Please don't damage Baltimore's image to defend this man.

Please don't destroy what's left of Baltimore's image to defend this man.

[The Raven]

What is the current CAP hit for Ray?

 

Not exactly sure, but it's around $8 million.