While the Baltimore Ravens have made it clear they have no intention of signing players with a background of domestic violence, general manager Ozzie Newsome expressed that he would like to see running back Ray Rice receive another chance to play in the NFL (via The Baltimore Sun).
I don’t know what 31 other teams are thinking, I think we’ll find out probably before April whether Ray will get an opportunity to sign with another team. He was in really good shape when he was with us this offseason and, from what I’m hearing, he’s still working his butt off. If he gets an opportunity to play with another club, I would be happy for him.
The last time that Newsome and Rice talked was this past November at his reinstatement hearing. The two embraced and there was no evidence of hard feelings after the Ravens terminated the former Pro-Bowler’s $35-million contract in September following the release of a graphically violent video of Rice beating his then fiancee.
The testimony that came from Newsome was critical in the decision by former federal judge Barbara S. Jones in Rice’s reinstatement. Now, three months after his reinstatement, Rice has yet to receive a phone call from an interested team. Additionally, Rice recently released a letter to Baltimore apologizing for the domestic violence incident and thanking the team for all it has done for his family.
Over his six-year career with the Ravens, Rice produced a total of 9,214 yards and scored 43 touchdowns while maintaining an average of 4.3 yards per carry.
It will be interesting to follow the Rice situation as the NFL free agency market opens March 10th. However, there doesn’t seem to be any interest in his services right now.
Photo: USA Today