Report: Ravens preparing for Rice to miss 3 games

The Ravens expect Ray Rice to miss at least three games in 2014. (ESPN)

Following Ray Rice's press conference on Friday, Ravens president Dick Cass noted that Rice is expected to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sometime in the near future. That conversation will likely lead to a punishment for Rice, a punishment that could lead to the Ravens running back missing almost 25 percent of Baltimore's 2014 season.

The Ravens are preparing for Rice to miss at least three games, according to ESPN.com, meaning the number could be even higher. The fact that there's video of the incident is one of the reasons the league could come down hard. TMZ released security footage of Rice dragging his then-fiancee Janay Palmer out of an elevator. The couple is now married.

Rice isn't expected to face any jail time for the February incident with his wife, whom he was accused of assaulting after the two had an altercation at a casino in Atlantic City, N.J.

About a month after the incident, Rice was indicted on a third-degree aggravated assault charge. However, the Ravens running back was accepted into a pretrial intervention program on May 20 that should allow him to avoid jail time as long he stays out of trouble.

If Rice successfully completes the intervention program -- a process that will take at least a year -- the third-degree aggravated assault charge would be dismissed. The arrest would remain on his record, but there would be no conviction.

"This decision was arrived at after careful consideration of the information contained in Mr. Rice's application in light of all of the facts gathered during the investigation," acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain said. "After considering all relevant information in light of applicable law, it was determined that this was the appropriate disposition."

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Bengals integrating RB Giovani Bernard more into passing game



We know the Bengals aren't going to throw the ball as much as last season. A strong running game is at the center of offensive coordinator Hue Jackson's philosophy. Of course, Giovani Bernard will have a big role in that aspect of the game. But the Bengals are also looking for someone who can replace Andrew Hawkins after the diminutive and quick slot receiver left Cincinnati to continue his NFL career in Cleveland. It sounds like Bernard can be the man for that job, too.According to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Bengals are finding ways to include Bernard more often as a receiver."We want to do more with him because he can do that," running backs coach Kyle Caskey said of Bernard. "It's not just put him in the slot. We want him everywhere on the field. Make people guess where's he at. ... He's a lot like Reggie Bush where you have to be aware at all times."Bernard's receiving skills were well known long before he played his first down in the league. He caught 56 passes as a rookie last season, which made up about 25 percent of his total touches. He dropped just four of 60 catchable passes.



While BenJarvus Green-Ellis and rookie Jeremy Hill fight it out to see who will be the Bengals' short-yardage and goal-line back, Bernard will be doing just about everything else. He is an extremely talented and versatile player in a great system for him to thrive. The more creative the Bengals are with Bernard, the better he'll be for fantasy purposes. Just give him the ball and let it go. Bernard is an RB1 in PPR leagues.