Colin Kaepernick: Longtime Baltimore Ravens star Bart Scott says city 'right place' for QB

Aug. 12 (UPI) -- He played in the city for the better part of a decade and Bart Scott says Baltimore would also be the "right place" for Colin Kaepernick.

"To a certain extent, with what is going on in Baltimore right now with the police officers, and the body camera scandal that is going on in Baltimore ... in light of what happened with Freddie Gray in 2015," Scott told UPI Wednesday.

"I think that the Baltimore fan base would think that he was standing up for him [Gray]," Scott said. "Because it was the exact cause that he was speaking of: The unfair treatment of minorities from the police and law officers. So I think if any place is the right place, I think it is Baltimore."

The 36-year-old is now retired from football, following an 11-year NFL tenure. He went to the Pro Bowl and played alongside Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Deion Sanders and other NFL legends.

"I think that the fact that John [Harbaugh] knows extensive information about Kaepernick and who he is as a person, because of the relationship with his brother [Jim Harbaugh]," Scott said. "The fact that the Baltimore Ravens played against them in the Super Bowl and he lit the defense up. I think that they know what he is capable of when he is at his height in the right situation. I think they understand."

"I think right now it is kind of tough. I know they had a practice or a game at the Naval Academy and that wasn't the right place to introduce Kaepernick and deal with that. So I think, if they are going to sign him, they are going to sign him in the upcoming weeks and not when they were out there having to deal with that ... of him being perceived to be disrespectful by signing him and going to practice at the Naval Academy."

Kaepernick is still looking for a job, despite reported interest from the Ravens and Seattle Seahawks. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco isn't expected to participate in preseason games due to a back injury. He is making good progress after being re-examined recently. The Ravens plan on having Flacco for Week 1. Backup Ryan Mallett has been underwhelming in practice and preseason action.

ESPN reported earlier this month that John Harbaugh and general manager Ozzie Newsome supported the move but were met with "resistance" from owner Steve Biscioti.

Newsome later issued a statement denying that report.

"We are going through a process, and we have not made a decision. Steve Bisciotti has not told us we cannot sign Colin Kaepernick, nor has he blocked the move. Whoever is making those claims is wrong," Newsome said.

The Ravens also spoke with Flacco, Benjamin Watson, Ray Lewis, fans, sponsors and community members about adding Kaepernick.

"I know that we're going to upset some people, and I know that we're going to make people happy that we stood up for somebody that has the right to do what he did. Non-violent protesting is something that we have all embraced," Bisciotti said in July at a fan forum, according to the team website.

"I don't like the way he did it. Personally, I kind of liked it a lot when he went from sitting to kneeling. I don't know, I'm Catholic, we spend a lot of time kneeling."

Last month, Lewis went on FS1's Undisputed and discussed the Ravens signing Kaepernick.

He was asked what he would do if he ran the franchise.

"I'd sit down and have a conversation with the best available player that can help my team win after I evaluate my quarterback," Lewis said on the show.

Lewis followed up his appearance with a social media post, referencing Kaepernick's protests against police brutality.

"The battles you're fighting, brother, people way before have been fighting these battles for many, many, many years," Lewis said. "And that's why I take each and every one of these kids. And that's why I take them away from their environments and give them something else to see in life. And that's why I played the way I played. The football field is our sanctuary."

Scott said he thinks Kaepernick will sign with a team "eventually," likely after another quarterback gets injured.

"They are going to have to step out there and somebody is going to have to take a chance on him," Scott said. "Despite whatever they may feel about it and the fan base. I think there are still some places where he will be accepted."

Scott thinks the Miami Dolphins recently decided to sign Jay Cutler instead of Kaepernick because it was a "natural fit" for Cutler.

"And I do think we do see Kaepernick eventually get picked up," he said. "I don't think it's fair to him because him waiting so late to be picked up puts him in a situation where he has to pick up a system immediately and he doesn't have the time to get the timing with his receivers and people are going to look at him and say, 'well see he can't play anyway.' But he's going to be put in a tough spot. I think it's unfair, but that's the reality. That's his reality."