Ray Rice Rumors: Baltimore Committed to Long-Term Deal, but Not at Rice's Price

The Baltimore Ravens did what we all expected them to and placed the franchise tag on running back Ray Rice on Friday. While the two sides remain committed to working out a long-term contract, they appear to be far apart on the actual numbers of such a deal. 

Rice will make $7.7 million next season as a franchise tagged running back. That follows a career year when he scored a franchise-record 15 touchdowns to go with a career-high 1,364 yards rushing, while leading the Ravens in receptions with 76 and gaining 704 yards receiving. He also led the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 2,068. 

At 25 years old, Rice is hitting his prime and coming off a fantastic season where he established himself as one of the best running backs in the league. He has reportedly asked for a deal similar to the on Adrian Peterson signed with the Minnesota Vikings last September. If he keeps going down that road he will be sorely disappointed, since there is no way Baltimore will pony up that kind of cash to keep him.

On September 10, 2011 Peterson signed a seven-year, $96 million contract with $36 million guaranteed. Then he went out and tore his ACL at the end of the 2011 season, which has put his career in jeopardy. I think everyone expects Peterson to return to football soon, but no one knows how that injury will affect him going forward. 

The Peterson contract and injury is exactly why Rice won't get that kind of deal from the Ravens. Running backs are seen as interchangeable in today's NFL and putting that much money into a guy at a position that sees a high turnover rate is bad business. 

I think Rice and the Ravens will eventually get a deal done, but it will be a few months before it happens. He has to lower his expectations and realize that Baltimore simply can't afford to invest so much money in one position. 

Things will get worked out simply because both parties need each other, but it might be a while before Rice has his long-term deal.