Ray Rice has been designated as the franchise player of the Ravens, who hope to buy some time while negotiating a lengthy deal for the running back. Rice's contract expired after a season in which he amassed an NFL-best 2,068 yards from scrimmage. As a franchise running back, Rice will earn $7.7 million in 2012. Baltimore, however, intends to have him around a lot longer. "As we have in the past, placing the franchise designation on a player allows us to keep negotiating on a long-term contract," general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "Our goal is to keep Ray Rice a Raven."