Jeremy Maclin Decision Expected Today
It's been four days since wide receiver Jeremy Maclin left Baltimore after his free-agent visit.
The veteran receiver wanted to talk things over with his wife after getting recruited by the Ravens and Buffalo Bills, and NFL Media's Ian Rapoport says he's close to a decision.
By the time the Ravens hit the field for the start of mandatory minicamp Tuesday, they should know if they're going to have Maclin in purple and black this season.
The Ravens are clearly interested in what the 29-year-old receiver could bring to the offense. During his visit last week, he had dinner with Wide Receivers Coach Bobby Engram, met with Head Coach John Harbaugh and watched the NBA Finals with several players at safety Tony Jefferson's house.
Harbaugh said the Ravens are hopeful that Maclin decides to come to Baltimore. Adding him would give the Ravens another valuable speed threat to go along with Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman.
Maclin, a nine-year veteran, is coming off a season in which he caught 44 passes for 536 yards and two touchdowns. A groin injury limited him to just 12 games last year, but he's only a season removed from topping 1,000 receiving yards and snagging eight touchdowns.
The Ravens have been in the market for a veteran receiver since Steve Smith Sr. retired and Kamar Aiken left in free agency. Baltimore quickly reached out to Maclin after the Chiefs cut him on June 2.
Maclin does have some familiarity with Baltimore's offense, as Marty Mornhinweg was his offensive coordinator in Philadelphia from 2009-2012.
Buffalo is considered the top competition to land Maclin, as he also spent two days with the Bills last week. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running back LeSean McCoy put on the full-court press during Maclin's visit last week, but the Ravens also have some persuasive recruiters of their own.
Ravens Engaged in Trade Talks With Jets
Rapoport indicated that Maclin's decision could set off a chain of events on the wide receiver market.
The New York Jets are also reportedly looking to move veteran wideout Eric Decker, and TheMMQB's Albert Breer reported that the Ravens have engaged in trade talks with them.
Trading for Decker at his current salary seems unlikely for Baltimore, as he's in line to carry an $8.75 million cap hit this year, according to Spotrac. If the Ravens wanted to trade for Decker, they could make the deal contingent on him agreeing to a new contract.
The Jets could also just release Decker, allowing him to sign with any team he wants on a new deal.
The 30-year-old receiver is coming off an injury-shortened season in which he played just three games before undergoing hip surgery. In 2015, however, Decker caught 80 passes for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Based on Rapoport's tweet, the Jets are likely to stay in a holding pattern with Decker until Maclin picks his landing spot.
Ray Rice Speaks to Rookie Class for Second Year
As the rookie class transitions to the NFL, the group is going through daily seminars that focus on life off the field.
Ravens Director of Player Development Harry Swayne puts together the program each season, and for the second year in a row, he had former Ravens running back Ray Rice speak to the rookies.
Rice's story is certainly well documented, and he knows first-hand how decisions away from the game can completely alter a player's life.
"He has spoken in recent years to athletes at every level about the importance of making good decisions," wrote The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec. "His message to Ravens rookies last year focused on being professional and accountable."
Rice was released by Baltimore in 2014, and he's spoken to various groups the last few years about domestic violence. Rice now lives in his hometown of New Rochelle, N.Y., where he has become a volunteer assistant coach at his old high school.
Rice has returned to Baltimore for events the last couple of years. He also played in Torrey Smith's charity basketball game in Baltimore this spring.
Quick Hits
pic.twitter.com/8CV2QZN6hl — Tavon Young (@Tyoung_NL) June 11, 2017
