First things first; though, A deadline awaits Rice and the Ravens on Monday — 10 days before Rice is scheduled to report for training camp up in Owings Mills. There has been no evidence that the sides are close to a deal as they approach Monday's deadline. But negotiations like this often go down the wire, as was the case last season before the Ravens signed defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to his extension.
“Deadlines spur actions,” says Brandt, who has been on both sides of the bargaining table.
“It happens in most deals. It happened in the [collective bargaining agreement] a year ago. And I sense it will happen here,” he said. “I don't know the gap specifically, but if it's something that can be bridged, I think they will go the extra mile to bridge it. If not, then we're back to the one-year deal and the thing is almost put on hold again until next offseason.”
