Contract Extension

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will report to training camp Monday, and he said that it doesn't matter one bit whether his contract situations is resolved quickly or not. “If it happens, it happens,” Flacco said tonight. “I see myself being here for many years no matter what happens. " After securing running back Ray Rice to a long-term deal Monday, the Ravens accelerated contract talks with Flacco's agent, Joe Linta, this week. At this point, no deal is imminent but both sides are optimistic that one can be reached before the season, which represents Flacco's final year of his rookie contract.

The Ravens made two moves this offseason to secure the futures of two of the organization's better young players, but they have one prominent name still in line for a contract extension before the start of the 2012-13 season: quarterback Joe Flacco. The Ravens signed restricted free agent Lardarius Webb in early April, agreeing to a six-year, $52.7 million contract with one of the league's top young corners. On Monday, just minutes before the deadline to sign designated franchise players, the Ravens struck a deal with Ray Rice, presenting the Pro Bowl running back with a five-year, $40 million deal that includes $5 million in escalators and $24 million in guaranteed money.

The deadline for Ray Rice to agree to a long-term contract extension with the Ravens is quickly approaching and there has been no indication of significant progress in the negotiations, but the runnung back showed Friday night that he hasn't lost hope or his sense of humor. “I'm always optimistic,” Rice said while playing host to ”A Ray of Hope,” an anti-bullying teen suicide outreach event at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia. “God has put me in a position where not too many people can say they've been.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will request Wednesday that the city Board of Estimates extend the contract of Fire Chief James S. Clack and provide for incremental increases to his salary each year through 2018, according to the board's agenda posted online Monday. The vote of confidence from the mayor, who is also a powerful member of the board, comes at a politically charged time for Clack, who is embroiled in controversy surrounding his implementation and support of Rawlings-Blake's decision to close three fire companies for budgetary reasons.

Ray Lewis showed up Tuesday for the first day of the Ravens' mandatory minicamp, looking considerably leaner after an offseason in which he dedicated himself to adjusting to a quicker and pass-oriented NFL. Lewis' longtime teammate, Ed Reed, meanwhile, made his own statement by not showing up, spurring even more questions about the mercurial safety's commitment and mindset heading into the 2012 season. While running back Ray Rice expectedly stayed away from the mandatory camp as his agent works on a long-term contract extension , Reed was an unexcused absence, his latest display of discontent with the team as he heads into the final year of his contract.

The big news this weekend was the signing of Adam Jones to a six-year, $85.5 million contract extension . I have been asked by plenty of people my opinion on this. So here's my take: The Orioles, honestly, had two options by the end of July: Sign Jones to an extension or trade him for prospects. The 26-year-old center fielder's value would not have gotten higher after July. Sure, you could try to deal him this offseason, but he'd be facing a real big payday in his last year of arbitration.

Orioles at Toronto Monday at 7:07 p.m. on MASN and WBAL 1090 AM Amid all the good feelings about the Orioles' fast start, their current perch atop the American League East and Sunday's announcement of center fielder Adam Jones' contract extension, the reality remains that the Major League Baseball season is exceptionally long and grueling. Despite being tied for the AL East lead on Memorial Day, the Orioles are officially dealing with their first elongated speed bump of the 2012 season.

With his six-year, $85.5 million contract extension official, Orioles center fielder Adam Jones sat between his two bosses - manager Buck Showalter and club executive vice president Dan Duquette - on Sunday and said Baltimore is where he belongs. "I fit here in this city. I fit here on this team. I fit in at Camden Yards. I really don't see myself wearing another white uniform that doesn't have 'Orioles' across the chest," Jones said. "If we win here, this is my championship, this is our championship.

Adam Jones is officially the owner of the largest contract in Orioles history and is the second-highest-paid center fielder in the big leagues. Jones agreed to a six-year, $85.5 million contract extension Saturday, which will keep him in an Orioles uniform through 2018. According to an industry source, the contract has performance escalators that could make it worth $91.5 million total. The annual average value will be $14.25 million - also a team record. Jones, who is making $6.15 million this season, will receive a $2 million signing bonus now. He then will receive: $8.5 million in 2013 (which would have been his final year of arbitration)

Although some of the Ravens' biggest names were missing from the team's OTA (organized team activity) today, more than 80 on the 90-man roster were in attendance at the Owings Mills training facility. Heading the list of  no-shows: Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice, who was given the franchise tag, is not expected to practice until he gets a new long-term contract; LB Ray Lewis; OLB Terrell Suggs; S Ed Reed; DT Haloti Ngata; C Matt Birk; and fifth-round draft pick Asa Jackson, who can't attend until his school (Cal-Poly)