Ravens Will Not Protect Lewis

The Baltimore Ravens have decided not to protect Jamal Lewis from free agency, but have not ruled out the possibility of signing the one-time 2,000-yard rusher to a long-term contract.

Lewis, the NFL offensive player of the year in 2003, when he rushed for 2,066 yards, slumped to a career-low 906 yards last season after serving a four-month sentence in a Florida federal prison and two months in a halfway house for a cocaine conspiracy plea bargain. He also underwent surgery on his right ankle.

The Ravens would have had to assign a one-year, $6-million franchise tender to retain Lewis. Not doing so means they are likely to look over the veteran running back market while evaluating potential rookie running backs such as USC’s LenDale White and Memphis’ DeAngelo Williams. The Ravens have the 13th pick in the draft.

“We will still consider the possibility of talking to Jamal about a long-term contract with us,” said Raven General Manager Ozzie Newsome.

Coach Jack Del Rio signed a new deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, keeping him with the team for three more seasons.

Del Rio had two years remaining on a five-year contract that averaged $1.3 million annually. But after making the playoffs in his third season, owner Wayne Weaver gave Del Rio a new three-year deal that was believed to be worth more than $3 million a season.

The Jaguars were 5-11 in 2003, 9-7 in 2004 and then returned to the postseason last year for the first time since 1999.

The New York Jets slashed their payroll by restructuring Curtis Martin’s contract, parting with Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law and cutting a host of other veterans, including quarterback Jay Fiedler, offensive tackle Jason Fabini and fullback Jerald Sowell.

The team is about $26 million over the salary cap and must be at or under the cap by March 3, the opening day of free agency.

Cornerback Nate Clements’ plan to pursue a lucrative contract on the free-agent market during the off-season was put on hold when the Buffalo Bills designated him their franchise player.

The move allows the Bills to retain the rights to Clements by offering the five-year starter and 2004 Pro Bowl selection a one-year contract worth $5.89 million.

Indianapolis Colt wide receiver Reggie Wayne agreed to a $39-million, six-year contract, a move that makes him one of the NFL’s highest-paid receivers and allows the Colts to use their franchise tag on another player if they choose. Wayne’s deal includes a $13.5-million signing bonus.

Tom Brady had surgery last week, although the New England Patriots didn’t say what kind of operation their quarterback had.

SOCCER

Arena Names Roster

for Poland Friendly

Forwards Taylor Twellman and Josh Wolff, midfielders Clint Dempsey and Kerry Zavagnin, and defender Todd Dunivant were among 20 players picked by U.S. Coach Bruce Arena for next week’s exhibition game against Poland.

Arena selected 11 Europe-based players and nine from Major League Soccer to be on the roster for the March 1 game at Kaiserslautern, Germany. He said not to read too much into his selections.

Arena plans to announce his 23-man roster in April for this summer’s World Cup.

The Galaxy has signed 2006 MLS SuperDraft picks forward Marc Burch and defender Kyle Veris to developmental contracts, the team announced. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not announced.

HOCKEY

Frolov Has MRI Test

on Injured Shoulder

King forward Alexander Frolov underwent an MRI test on his injured shoulder, but his status will probably not be known until Dr. Ronald Kvitne examines the results today.

Frolov was injured while playing for Russia’s Olympic team against Kazakhstan on Saturday. He returned to the U.S. Tuesday.

The Kings, meanwhile, resumed practice with two short workouts Wednesday.

Mattias Norstrom, who said he is suffering from concussion-like symptoms, participated in the first workout but skipped the second.

-- Chris Foster

TENNIS

Hingis Defeats Myskina, Will Play Sharapova

Martina Hingis took another strong step in her return to tennis, defeating sixth-seeded Anastasia Myskina, 6-4, 6-3, to set up a quarterfinal with Maria Sharapova at the Dubai Women’s Open at Dubai, United Arab Emirates .

Sharapova, seeded third, routed Vera Dushevina, 6-1, 6-0.

Top-seeded Amelie Mauresmo beat qualifier Henrieta Nagyova, 6-3, 6-1, and second-seeded Lindsay Davenport blanked Elena Likhovtseva, 6-0, 6-0.

Top-seeded Andy Roddick moved into the quarterfinals of the Regions Morgan Keegan championships with a 6-7 (4), 7-6 (9), 7-6 (2) victory over Wayne Arthurs after reaching match point in the second-set tiebreaker at Memphis, Tenn.

Scottish teenager Andy Murray upset Rainer Schuettler, 1-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Top-seeded Gaston Gaudio was upset by qualifier Olivier Patience, 6-2, 6-2, in the second round of the Brazil Open at Costa do Sauipe.

Patience, ranked 139th in the world, needed only 51 minutes to defeat the ninth-ranked Gaudio.

Third-seeded Filippo Volandri and fourth-seeded Florent Serra were also routed.

Tim Henman beat fourth-seeded Thomas Johansson, 6-4, 6-4, in the first round of the ABN Amro at Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Fifth-seeded Mario Ancic was eliminated from the tournament by Jarkko Nieminen, 7-5, 7-6 (5).

MISCELLANY

Clarett Pleads Not Guilty to Gun Charges

Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett pleaded not guilty to charges that he flashed a gun at two people behind a bar on New Year’s Day and took a cellphone.

Prosecutors allowed Clarett to enter his plea on robbery charges with the clerk’s office, avoiding his arraignment in court scheduled for Friday, according to Duane Williams, deputy clerk for Franklin County (Ohio) Common Pleas Court.

Connecticut assistant football coach Terry Richardson was arrested on domestic violence charges at Windham, Conn.

Richardson is charged with risk of injury to a minor and second-degree assault, both felonies, police said.

Dan Radakovich was hired as Georgia Tech’s athletic director after spending the last four years as the top aide to the athletic director at Louisiana State.

The Seattle Storm of the WNBA signed free-agent forward Wendy Palmer-Daniel.

The Jeep King of the Mountain professional skiing & snowboarding world championships will take place Saturday and Sunday at Squaw Valley.

Registration fee is $25, and athletes may sign up at the VIP tent at the bottom of Squaw’s Exhibition Run on Friday from noon to 5 p.m.

Visit www.jeepsports.com for more information.