INDIANAPOLIS -- Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome told reporters Saturday that he hasn't spoken with Ray Rice since the running back's arrest, but he has seen video of the fight between Rice and his fiancée, Janay Palmer.
"I did online just like everybody else did, and it doesn't look good," Newsome said. "But I'm going to reserve all my comments up until I have a chance to talk to Ray."
Rice and Palmer were arrested last week after police said the duo hit each other at an Atlantic City casino. Both were charged with simple assault. A court summons, obtained by WJZ-TV, said Palmer was knocked unconscious after Rice hit her.
"It's very concerning," said Newsome. "But up until we get all of the facts, we'll allow the process to run its course. I think (coach) John (Harbaugh) said it best yesterday: We will let the facts determine what the consequences will be."
Newsome, on Monday, said Rice still was a "big part" of the team's plans for next season; and he told ESPN's Josina Anderson on Saturday that "right now I feel very good about his side of the story, but I also feel very good about what he has done since that to help himself to not allow himself to get in a situation like that again."
Here's what else we learned from Ozzie in Indy:
- After The Baltimore Sun reported that the Ravens were "far apart" in contract talks with Dennis Pitta, Newsome confirmed he's "concentrating" on getting a deal done with the tight end before considering the franchise tag. If Pitta is franchised, we fully expect him to file a grievance through the NFL Players Association to be tagged as a receiver -- at $11.6 million -- after lining up in the slot on 79.7 percent of his routes this past season.
- NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport said Monday that he expected the Ravens to engage in contract talks with offensive tackle Eugene Monroe, and Newsome acknowledged that Baltimore's front office has opened discussions with the tackle on a new deal.
- The team also is talking with middle linebacker Daryl Smith, who Newsome praised coming off a campaign that saw him finish second on the defense in snaps while providing solid pass rushing and coverage skills.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" discusses controversial draft prospects Johnny Manziel and Jadeveon Clowney and reviews the offseason forecasts for the St. Louis Rams and Carolina Panthers.
