With just six minutes before the 4 p.m. franchise tender deadline, reports started surfacing that Ray Rice and the Ravens reached a five-year deal, reportedly worth $40 million with $24 million guaranteed and $17 million in the first year.
Below is reaction from analysts around the league, teammates and fans.
Analysts
Analysts
@AlbertBreer: Ray Rice's deal with the Ravens is for 5 years. Huge for Baltimore, frees up franchise tag for '13, with Flacco and Reed in contract years.
@AlbertBreer: Baltimore cap guru Pat Moriarty deserves credit. Third time in 4 years he beat this deadline -- Suggs in 2009, Ngata in '11, Rice in '12.
@SI_PeterKing: Rice is smart. A back his size, who has had the workload he's had going back to Rutgers, should not be working on 1-yr deals at this point.
@RavensInsider: Commendable of ray rice and his agent to get the deal done at this time recognizing that rb market can be tough
@mattvensel: As I wrote Sunday it's tough to put a price on Ray Rice, but both sides wanted to get this done and that's why it all came together. #Ravens
@JasonLaCanfora: So Rice doesn't get the $9m or so may be worth on open market, but gets security of big upfront $. Has lower $ on back end, helps longevity
Players
@vleach44: @RayRice27 and #Ravens have agreed to a long term deal. #congrats#welldeserved
@TheRealMtCody [Terrence Cody]: @RayRice27 Congrats bra bra
@DJBerry20: @RayRice27 congrats bra u deserve it... See ya in camp...
@TorreySmithWR: YESSIR!!!!!!! @RayRice27
@JameelMcClain: What he said RT @TorreySmithWR: YESSIR!!!!!!!
@TorreySmithWR: Ozzie is the man!
@MichaelOher: Congrats to @RayRice27!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Proud of you!!!!!!!!!!
@untouchablejay4 [Terrell Suggs]: Congrats to my boy Ray Rice for signing on the dotted line. $Cha-Ching$ now lets go win the "Ship"!
Fans
@LindseeeyLou: Happy dance.
@Lemcnamara: Stoked to have Ray Rice for another 5 years - Super Bowl Champs 2013!
@RavensAllDay87: It's nice having a top notch organization to root for, #Ravens just handle [their] business the right way
@TheRealMarkLark: Now its time to take care of and pay Joe!
@JettSirkJr: Congrats Brass for locking up our running King!!! Great day for the city of Baltimore #ExcitedForWeek1
@Jpwilson1984: We take care of our guys. It's why we continue to be one of the very best franchises in all of football. @RayRice27 @Ravens
@robpang: Congrats to @RayRice27 on his deal!! Glad to see he'll be leading the @Ravens for years to come #hardworkpaysoff
