NFL

L Network’s Jason LaCanfora reports the Baltimore Ravens are committed to keeping Willis McGahee despite his $3.6 million salary in 2010. The Ravens want to keep McGahee around as insurance for and a complement to Ray Rice. The 28-year-old flourished in the backup role, averaging 5.0 YPC with a career-high 14 combined TDs. McGahee will likely remain the top choice at the goal-line,

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Houston: Texans coach Gary Kubiak indicated that Steve Slaton (neck surgery) will be involved in OTAs as a non-contact participant. Kubiak expects Slaton to be cleared for contact by training camp “as long as he recovers correctly.” The Houston Texans don’t seem to be concerned about the long-term affects of the surgery, but Slaton won’t be a great bet to play 16 games in 2010. Though he remains in the mix for carries, Kubiak is placing a “high priority” on adding a physical back with the ability to close games.

Houston: Coach Gary Kubiak believes Jacoby Jones should end up as No. 1 or No. 2 receiver in the NFL.
Kubiak joked that that he’s had more meetings with Jones than he’s had with his own children, but he insists that Jones is a “good kid,” lacking only in consistency. Kubiak has been high on Jones since the end of the season, and the return ace has a shot to ascend to the No. 2 job with Kevin Walter an unrestricted free agent.

Cincinnati: Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson disputes a report that the Bengals are planning to use Matt Jones as a tight end. The Dayton Daily News characterized “in-house NFL guru” Carlos “Big C” Holmes’ opinion as fact, when it was merely guesswork. The Cincinnati Bengals realize Jones doesn’t have the bulk or the blocking ability to pull off the switch. If reports about his workout are true, Jones has a lot of work to do this offseason just to make the final roster.

Cincinnati: The Bengals are believed to be interested in re-signing DT Tank Johnson. The team has already made an opening offer. Johnson stayed out of trouble all season while helping the Bengals’ run defense, so it makes sense that they’d want to bring him back to start next to Domata Peko.

Cleveland: Though he’s not yet ready to make a decision on his quarterback situation, Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren suggested that Brady Quinn deserves a full season of starts before he can be fairly evaluated. Holmgren believes a quarterback needs 32 games to be accurately defined. “I think Brady’s played about nine games in three years (actually 12),” said Holmgren. “So if I’m sticking to my beliefs, which I really do believe in, that’s the formula.” Holmgren added, however, that he needs to study his options more before deciding on a direction for the team’s quarterback.