Twelve hours after Ravens RB Bernard Pierce was arrested on DUI charges early yesterday morning, GM Ozzie Newsome informed him he would be getting released, serving as the "latest example of how the Ravens have adopted a tougher stance when players get into trouble with the law," according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore SUN. Pierce's arrest marked the third of a Ravens player this offseason -- DT Terrence Cody and CB Victor Hampton "were also quickly released" -- and the eighth arrest in 13 months. A source said, "They’re not playing around, they’re serious" (Baltimore SUN, 3/19). CSNBALTIMORE.com's Clifton Brown notes after last year’s Ray Rice saga, Ravens players "knew the deal when they packed up for the offseason." Brown: "Stay out of trouble, or face severe consequences." Pierce "did not stay out of trouble," and yesterday "suffered the consequences" (CSNBALTIMORE.com, 3/18). ESPN’s Louis Riddick said, “They have to be consistent with their procedures and protocols when it comes to players running afoul of the law." It is another example of Newsome "putting a stamp on the organization going forward and saying, ‘This is what we’re going to be known for.’" Riddick: "I’m sure he and (Ravens Owner) Steve Bisciotti have gotten together and said, ‘We need to make sure that the image we’re putting out there as far as Baltimore Ravens is consistent and something that the community can be proud of’” (“NFL Insiders,” ESPN, 3/18).
