Baltimore Ravens: Ray Rice Latest Franchise Player Reportedly Skipping Workouts

When the NFL created the franchise tag, it was meant to be an honor. Instead, it has come to be viewed as something of an albatross.

According to NFL.com's Steve Wyche, Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice is expected to join New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace as designated franchise players who will stay away from the start of their teams' offseason workouts to express their unhappiness at not having a long-term contract.

The first few weeks of any offseason program consist mostly of weight lifting, and there is little to no on-field work, so it's not like any of these guys will be missing critical time with their ballclubs. Many players choose to work out on their own during these sessions, coming in when their schedule allows.

Indeed, in Baltimore alone, Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and Anquan Boldin have all, at one time or another, spent time away from the team's offseason activity.

Rice, who has rushed for over 4,000 yards at 4.6 yards a clip since being drafted out of Rutgers in 2008, has said on several occasions that he deserves a long-term deal. He has no intention of playing 2012 under the $7.7 million franchise tag.

Right now, most, if not all, of these situations are not really all that alarming. We see this cycle every year. What bears watching is what happens when the real on-field work begins. For most teams, that is slated to happen in early to mid-May, following the NFL draft. For now, both sides have very little real incentive to get anything done.