The Facts: Owner Steve Bisciotti told reporters on Wednesday that the Bisciotti the franchise mechanism comes into play with Rice, although GM Ozzie Newsome added the team would prefer to get a long-term deal done without going that route. "Yes, we would like to have a deal done with Ray before we put the tag on him," Newsome said.

Diehards Line:Of course they would. A long-term deal would give them more flexibility. But they will franchise him if needed, at a cost of roughly $7.7 million. According to Carroll County Times staffer Aaron Wilson, this situation may unfold the way the Ravens handled Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata: Securing his services with the franchise tag before later signing him to a blockbuster contract. Either way, Rice will remain in place next season as the focal point of the offense.