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OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) - 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 this season following 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 overall pick in the draft.
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