Bernard Pierce Arrest the Latest Baltimore Ravens Offseason Black Eye

Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Bernard Pierce (30) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game in the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens have said, over and over again, how they plan to tighten things up internally. After last offseason’s embarrassing number of player incidents, the team simply had to take action. A total of eight players (plus the team’s director of security) have been arrested in the last year. And now Bernard Pierce is the third Raven to be arrested this offseason following his DUI early Wednesday morning.

Bernard Pierce’s arrest came when he failed a field sobriety test after being pulled over on the Baltimore Beltway shortly before 2am Wednesday. In addition to driving while under the influence of alcohol, Pierce has also been charged with driving while impaired by alcohol, driving in excess of reasonable and prudent speed on highway, and exceeding maximum speed. He was clocked driving 55 mph in a 30 mph zone.

The Ravens are aware of the incident, which lumps Pierce in this offseason’s group of arrested players. He joins Terrence Cody (animal cruelty charges) and Victor Hampton (driving while impaired). Both of those players were released by the team, which is an indication of the direction this franchise wants to go in after it’s reputation took several lumps last year.

It will be interesting to see if the team continues to follow that mantra. Cody’s case is odd and promises to draw a great deal of media interest, and Hampton was a fringe roster player anyway. Pierce has had two straight disappointing seasons, but still likely remained in the team’s plans for 2015, at least for now. It wouldn’t at all be surprising to see him cut regardless.

Update: the Ravens announced that they have released Bernard Pierce, just hours after the news broke.

Next: How does Lardarius Webb's new salary stack up?

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