J. Lewis Likely to Be Free Agent

The Baltimore Ravens will not use the franchise tag on running back Jamal Lewis , a move that will allow the team's all-time leading rusher to become an unrestricted free agent on March 3. The team, however, has not ruled out retaining the former 2,000-yard rusher.

"We will still consider the possibility of talking with Jamal about a long-term contract with us," General Manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement.

It had been widely assumed the Ravens would keep Lewis -- the 2003 league offensive player of the year -- by offering him a one-year, $6 million tender offer. Even Lewis, who dealt with questions about his future with the Ravens throughout the season, seemed resigned to the idea he would receive the franchise tag rather than a long-term contract.

"I just want to play football, that's it," Lewis said in December. "I want to play football. I want to be compensated just like I am, and hopefully be recognized as one of the best backs in the NFL. One thing I do know, I will be playing football next year, whether it's here or whether it's anywhere else."

Lewis, drafted fifth overall in 2000, ran for the second-highest total in NFL history (2,066 yards) in 2003, but his production since has dropped off considerably. Last year was particularly difficult; he spent most of his offseason serving a drug conspiracy sentence, first at a federal prison and then at a halfway house. Then he rushed for a career-low 906 yards and three touchdowns on 269 carries.

-- Camille Powell