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The Baltimore Ravens have decided to part ways with running back Ray Rice.
The #Ravens have terminated RB Ray Rice's contract this afternoon.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2014
Now, the NFL is finally doing what they should have done a long time ago.
NFL has now suspended Ray Rice indefinitely based on "new video evidence ." He was set to come off suspension Friday.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) September 8, 2014
Many were crying out for the NFL to ban Rice, and the Ravens cutting him did NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a favor by not forcing the issue. Goodell and the NFL received backlash following the two-game suspension handed down to Rice initially for the incident.
Still, after the TMZ tape was released, the NFL and commissioner Goodell stepped up to suspend him indefinitely.
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The latest video of Ray Rice striking his wife is despicable, and it paints a bad image of the Ravens they don't want. Because they've stood by and supported Rice through this, they're effectively defending the act of physically striking a woman in the face.
Perhaps they've now realized this, and could cut Rice at some point in the future, according to Yahoo Sports' Dan Wetzel.
Txt'ing with team officials around NFL, they predict Ravens will cut Ray Rice. "Have to." Not sure anyone would pick him up.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) September 8, 2014
It won't be as simple as cutting Rice though. He was signed to a five-year, $35 million contract before the 2012 NFL season, and he's got a cap hit of $8.75 million in 2014. According to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, cutting Rice now would result in a $5.5 million salary-cap hit in 2014.
Still, Baltimore would be best served to part with Rice as soon as possible, and it appears they will.