Baltimore Ravens hit 2012 salary cap, in need for roster space – NFL News
Baltimore Ravens have almost hit the National Football League’s (NFL) defined salary cap level, $120.6 million, for the 2012 season with about half a million left to spend more.
According to the recently released teams cap situations chart, Ravens have a surplus of $606,000 in total and if the team seeks to consolidate players’ strength in the squad, they will need to negotiate long-term deals with running back,
Ray Rice and quarterback, Joe Flacco.
Both players are into last year of their respective deals and by signing new contracts with them, the team can adjust its cap.
If they do not agree to fresh terms with these players, the team appears set to face some difficulties, especially if they look for adding any new player to the squad anytime on the course of the season.
With training camp still almost a month away, the team has as many as 90 players on the roster. The number by end of week 1 of the regular season has to be at 53.
Ravens can particularly be in trouble if Rice does not sign a new contract. He is expected to cost the team $7.7 million over the next year if he remains on the franchise tag.
Some commentators believe Ravens managers do not have another choice than to lock in the two players on long-term contracts. This is what the players have been demanding from the team.
While Ravens have officially confirmed their interest in giving contracts to these two players, the process of formal negotiations is yet to start. This is the most worrying point for the players.
The delay has prompted the RB Rice to skip the team’s entire workout activity in the offseason. Flacco has decided against going rebellious, though.
Following emergence of the cap position, the players can hope the management agrees to their terms at earliest possible. The question still remains if Ravens are going to accept the financial demands of these players. It looks the team
does not have an alternative.
Tags: