Jets Tag Disgruntled Abraham

John Abraham is tired of waiting for the New York Jets to make him a long-term commitment.

The defensive end was designated the team’s franchise player Tuesday for the second straight year, creating another unhappy situation. Though Abraham, 27, stands to make $8.33 million in 2006, he preferred a long-term commitment.

Now the Jets are expected to explore trade options because they are so far over the salary cap. Abraham’s agents, Rich Rosa and Tony Agnone, stopped short of demanding a trade but are also interested in making a move.

The Jets are $26 million over the salary cap. Committing more than $8 million to Abraham locks in money that may force them to cut other players, including cornerback Ty Law, fullback Jerald Sowell and tackle Jason Fabini -- all starters.

After Abraham was franchised last year, he was told the team would work toward giving him a commitment if he stayed healthy for an entire season. Abraham did that, playing all 16 games for the first time since 2002 and had 10 1/2 sacks.

Abraham said last season that he wanted to be traded if the Jets didn’t give him a long-term deal. He also said if he was franchised again, he would do the same thing as last year and sit out the off-season and training camp.

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Linebacker Ray Lewis’ unhappiness with the Baltimore Ravens -- which prompted a trade request before last season -- could have been avoided years ago if he had taken the team’s advice, a team official said.

Before Lewis signed his deal in 2002, the Ravens advised him to go with a short-term contract that would let him become a free agent this season. But Lewis wanted the prestige of a then-NFL record $19-million signing bonus that came with the seven-year deal, a team official said on condition of anonymity.

Lewis, who will turn 31 in May, now wants to rework his $50-million contract that has three years remaining, but the Ravens have refused, saying the last contract would let him retire with the team.

Raven General Manager Ozzie Newsome declined to go into specifics of Lewis’ contract negotiations in 2002 but said, “He signed the deal he signed.” Lewis is scheduled to earn $5.5 million in 2006 and $6.5 million each in 2007 and 2008.

Associates and friends close to Lewis told the Baltimore Sun recently that Lewis doesn’t want to play for the Ravens next season.

Newsome acknowledged that Lewis asked to be traded before last season but added that Lewis hasn’t made any such request recently.

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Safety John Lynch, 34, signed a two-year contract extension with the Denver Broncos through the 2008 season. Terms were not disclosed.... The Buffalo Bills hired Matt Sheldon as linebackers coach. Sheldon spent the past five seasons with the St. Louis Rams.... St. Louis completed its staff with the hiring of defensive line coach Brian Baker from the Minnesota Vikings....The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed punter Kyle Larson to a one-year contract.