Ray Rice is still in Baltimore's plans. (USATSI)
After he was involved in what his attorneys are calling a "very minor physical altercation" with his fiancée, Ravens running back Ray Rice was arrested Friday night in Atlantic City and charged with simple assault-domestic violence (as was his fiancée, Jenay Palmer).
On Monday, Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome met with coach John Harbaugh and other team officials, and Newsome told reporters, via the Baltimore Sun, the team still had Rice in its plans moving forward toward the 2014 season.
"When I left my office 20 minutes ago, and John had probably been there 15 minutes before then, Ray Rice was still a big part of what we plan to do in 2014," Newsome said.
Newsome said he hadn't talked to Rice since the arrest but that he planned to do so soon. According to the police complaint, Rice and Palmer were seen striking each other with their hands. Both declined medical treatment at the scene.
"I don't know the situation," Newsome said. "I've only gotten what has been written. I have not had a chance to talk to Ray. I have had a chance to talk to [director of team security] Darren [Sanders]. I really don't know that situation. With me, I get all the answers. Then that's when we make decisions within this organization, once we get all the information we can get."
After five straight seasons of gaining at least 1,140 yards, Rice had the worst year of his career in 2013, recording 660 yards on a 3.1 yards per carry average to go with four touchdowns.
NFL Hot News
Clemson WR Sammy Watkins gets compared to Julio Jones, A.J Green
Barring some sort of Darrius Heyward-Bey stunner, there is no doubt that Clemson's Sammy Watkins will be the first wide receiver selected in May's draft. But how good could he be? Well, pretty darn good if you appreciate the opinions of NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell.Cosell said during a Thursday radio interview that "there's no debate" about Watkins' standing as this year's best incoming wideout. But Cosell added that Watkins is the best WR prospect since A.J. Green and Julio Jones, both of whom were top-10 picks in the 2011 draft.
If you want to do some projecting, both players put up WR2 fantasy numbers as rookies.Green: 65 catches, 1,057 yards, seven touchdowns.Jones: 54 catches, 959 yards, eight touchdowns.And for those in dynasty leagues, both were considered top-five fantasy wideouts heading into their third season. Watkins isn't comparable to Jones or Green in terms of stature. He is a few inches shorter but possesses great acceleration and tremendous jumping ability. Percy Harvin, Torrey Smith, Pierre Garcon are a few other names that pop up in a quick search for NFL comparisons to Watkins -- sorry, I'm not really a draftnik. Obviously, an able QB and a bright offensive coordinator will go a long way to making Watkins an immediate, significant contributor. But if history is any guide, we shouldn't be surprised if Watkins finishes inside the top 20 at his position in 2014.

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