Deadline day for Ravens and Rice
Baltimore Ravens07/16/2012 7:28 AM
The Baltimore Sun reports no longer do the Ravens have months, weeks or even days to reach agreement on a long-term contract extension with Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice. They are now down to hours to accomplish what they established in February as one of their biggest offseason priorities. The two sides have until 4 p.m. today to reach a deal or Rice will be in line to play the season under the $7.7 million franchise tag. Read more
The Houston Chronicle reports the Texans and owner Bob McNair care about the players and their families and do everything possible to make the players comfortable, according to the Texans’ big free-agent addition from the last offseason. Cornerback Johnathan Joseph, who played a key role on the first Texans team to reach the playoffs, calls the treatment from the Texans “first class,” while the Bengals scrimped and saved at the players’ expense. 
The Boston Herald reports it’s deadline day for Wes Welker and the Patriots, as the two sides have approached the final hours to reach a contract extension. Welker is set to play this season under the franchise tag, which will pay him $9.5 million in guaranteed money. The team and wide receiver have until 4 p.m. to negotiate a new deal. 
The Chicago Tribune reports Matt Forte once again has expressed optimism that he and the Bears will come to an agreement on a long-term deal before Monday's looming deadline for players subjected to the one-year franchise tag that is worth $7.74 million to him.