While Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was not expected to report for the start of the team's voluntary workouts Monday, another offensive star with an unsettled contract situation was there -- quarterback Joe Flacco.
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Flacco, who is currently in the midst of negotiating a contract extension, was among the players who reported to the team's facility.
NFL Network's Albert Breer reported earlier this month that Flacco's representatives and the team had planned to resume negotiations.
The signal-caller dismissed the notion that his contract concerns would affect the team or his play.
âThe contract is not really an issue," Flacco said, according to the team's official site. "Itâs going to be taken care of by the guys upstairs and my agent. I really donât have anything to worry about on that front. Either itâs going to get done or itâs not. I wonât be happy if it doesnât get done, but Iâm not going to make a big deal of it.â
Wide receiver Torrey Smith lauded Flacco's decision to join the rest of the team Monday.
"It means a lot coming from our guy," Smith said. "He understands that whether thereâs business or not, weâre going to need him. Weâre going to all need to be in sync. You can do nothing but respect it.â
Flacco, who recently called himself "the best" quarterback in the NFL, is under contract through the 2012 season.
Cornerback Lardarius Webb, who recently signed a six-year, $50 million deal with the team, was among the first players to report for the workouts, arriving at 7:30 a.m. ET, according to the team.
Rice, who had the franchise tag applied to him by the team, was expected to sit out, because he has not yet agreed with the team on a long-term contract.
Rice vented his frustration on Twitter Monday.
