Fair market value has been set for Ray Rice

A couple of months ago Arian Foster signed a five year deal for $43.5 million. Many thought that when the ink dried the Texans’ running back did the Ravens a favor by establishing a benchmark for Ray Rice.

Ray Rice and his agent Todd France didn’t think so. They shared dillusions of grandeur and set their sights on the record setting deals of Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson. The Ravens refused to go there.  

And so the stalemate between France and the Ravens commenced and since then, nothing has changed.

On Thursday the Eagles signed their star running back LeSean McCoy to a deal very similar to that of Foster’s. According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter Shady’s 5 year contract calls for $45 million, including $20,765,000 guaranteed.

Foster, McCoy and Rice are very comparable running backs with similar skill sets. They may have slightly different styles but the productivity of each of these fine backs suggests they are peers and they should be paid accordingly.

The Ravens would sign Rice to a long-term deal tomorrow if France accepted terms on par with Foster and McCoy. McCoy’s deal validates Fosters and it gives the Ravens and even stronger argument that the 5 for 45 terms represent fair market value.

If Rice has a subpar season in 2012 he stands to lose. If he produces as he has in the past the Ravens are likely to tag him again, assuming Joe Flacco is signed to an extension before the end of the 2012 season. If Rice has a stellar year his demands will only increase and the Ravens will again use the tag if it’s available.

Without a long-term deal prior to the deadline for signing franchised players (July 16), the odds of Rice playing in Baltimore beyond 2013 aren’t good. And that would be a shame for a player who is that productive, universally loved by the fans and so engaged in the community.