Las Vegas Raiders

Could the Raiders actually pursue troubled RB Ray Rice?

Published Jun. 8, 2015 11:29 p.m. ET

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Oakland has long been considered a haven for talented but troubled NFLers looking for redemption.

They could take that modus operandi to a new level by granting Ray Rice a second chance.

The Raiders are one of a handful of NFL teams that could still consider the former Ravens ballcarrier, according to ESPN's John Clayton. Despite posting career lows in his last season, Rice could find a niche with the Silver and Black's lackluster running back stable.

But his on-field contributions aren't exactly the issue at hand. Rice's much-publicized domestic abuse scandal rocked the NFL last year and caused his release and indefinite suspension.

But Rice won an appeal to overturn that indefinite suspension, and in doing so, opened the door for a team like the Raiders to come calling.

As Clayton notes, such a move would come later in the NFL year. Signing Rice now would only prompt news stations to replay the infamous elevator tape. Signing him closer to training camp would lessen a public relations blow.

Writes Clayton on the Raiders' chances: "Raiders ownership might not want to deal with the public relations implications of signing Rice... but this is something of a need position for Oakland."

He's not wrong about the football need. But Rice's off-the-field issues could prevent him from being the right fit for any team -- even one with a proclivity for handing out second chances.

(h/t ESPN)

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