Jamal Lewis released by Ravens

Running back Jamal Lewis, the NFL’s offensive player of the year in 2003, was cut by the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday.

General Manager Ozzie Newsome still hopes to re-sign him.

Lewis ran for 1,132 yards last season, averaging 3.6 yards a carry.

Lewis, 27, spent the 2005 off-season serving time in prison after a guilty plea to using a cellphone to set up a drug buy. He also has had ankle problems.

The Ravens’ first pick in the 2000 draft, Lewis was due a $5-million roster bonus Saturday along with a $5-million base salary for next season. The Ravens have spent the last week negotiating with his agent for a more salary-cap friendly deal.

The Chicago Bears signed Coach Lovie Smith to a four-year contract extension through the 2011 season.

Smith, who led Chicago to the Super Bowl, had one year left on his previous deal at $1.45 million.

As expected, the Minnesota Vikings released quarterback Brad Johnson, 38. Johnson threw 15 interceptions and nine touchdown passes last season.

The San Francisco 49ers promoted quarterbacks coach Jim Hostler to offensive coordinator, replacing Norv Turner, who left to coach the San Diego Chargers.

The New York Jets will release running back Derrick Blaylock, 27, by the end of this week, his agent said. A return to the Jets was not ruled out.... The Dallas Cowboys re-signed Pro Bowl punter Mat McBriar to a five-year, $8.5-million deal. McBriar led the NFL with a 48.2-yard average, the best in the NFL since 1963.... The Washington Redskins re-signed offensive lineman Mike Pucillo, 27, and released tight end Christian Fauria, 35.... Defensive end Aaron Smith, 31, entering the last year of his contract, signed a four-year, $25-million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers.... Carolina Panthers tight end Kris Mangum, who turns 34 in August, announced his retirement.

TENNIS

Federer’s winning streak

reaches 38 in Dubai

Roger Federer extended his career-best winning streak to 38 matches, defeating Daniele Bracciali, 7-5, 6-3, to reach the quarterfinals of the Dubai Open in the United Arab Emirates.

Defending champion Rafael Nadal edged Igor Andreev, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (2). Olivier Rochus upset third-seeded Nikolay Davydenko, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Justine Henin reached the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open by beating Alicia Molik, 6-2, 7-6 (9), in Doha.

Second-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Julia Goerges, 7-5, 6-1, and third-seeded Martina Hingis beat Maria Kirilenko, 6-2, 6-2.

Unseeded Sam Querrey beat sixth-seeded Julien Benneteau, 6-2, 7-6 (3), in round-robin play at the Tennis Channel Open in Las Vegas.

SOCCER

Mexico beats Venezuela, 3-1, in San Diego

Andres Guardado and Fernando Arce scored first-half goals to lead Mexico to a 3-1 win over Venezuela in San Diego. After several near misses in the second half, Venezuela finally scored on Daniel Arismendi’s goal from close range off a pass from Evelio Hernandez in the 83rd minute.

Sevilla Coach Juande Ramos was knocked unconscious by a plastic bottle containing liquid and ice thrown from the crowd in Seville, Spain, prompting a King’s Cup quarterfinal against Real Betis to be called off in the second half.

Ramos was under observation in a hospital. The team was trying to identify the attacker.

FIFA said it may assign the 2018 World Cup to its North and Central American and Caribbean region, putting the United States in prime position to host soccer’s showcase for the second time in 24 years.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Glanville becomes

coach at Portland State

Former NFL coach Jerry Glanville, Hawaii’s defensive coordinator for two years, was named coach at Portland State.

Glanville, 65, replaces Tim Walsh, who left for Army.

The lack of black head coaches in college football was lamented by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, NCAA President Myles Brand and congressmen from both parties before a House subcommittee in Washington.

A solution in the form of Title VII was suggested near the end of the hearing. Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act makes it illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of race. Of the 119 Division I-A schools, only six have black head coaches.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Oklahoma State’s

Boggan is suspended

Oklahoma State’s leading scorer, Mario Boggan, was suspended one game by Coach Sean Sutton for head-butting Kansas State’s Cartier Martin in the Cowboys’ 84-70 victory Tuesday.

Miami point guard Denis Clemente, banished from the season opener for a violation, was suspended for the rest of the season for violating a team rule, Coach Frank Haith said.

MISCELLANY

Arena Football League

opens play tonight

With ESPN as its newest broadcast partner, the Arena Football League begins its 21st season tonight when Nashville plays host to Columbus.

An 11-person evaluation commission of the United States Olympic Committee will be in Los Angeles for meetings today with the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games and go on tours of venues on Friday. It is one of the final steps in the domestic bid process for the 2016 Summer Games. Los Angeles and Chicago are the U.S. finalists, and a decision will be made by the USOC on April 14.

-- Lisa Dillman

Bicycle motocross was eliminated and women’s surfing added to the Aug. 2-5 X Games in Los Angeles. The men’s and women’s surfing competitions will be taped July 5-8 at Puerto Escondido in Mexico and aired during the August dates.

The contest window has closed for the Quiksilver Big-Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau, meaning a second consecutive winter will pass without one of the sport’s premiere events being held.

The contest, held at Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore only when wave-face heights exceed about 40 feet, has run only seven times in 22 years and was last won by Bruce Irons of Kauai in December 2004.

*

-- Pete Thomas