NFL

Ed Reed

According to the National Football Post, Ravens S Ed Reed is “definitely expected to play” to return in 2010. Aaron Wilson, who doubles as a Ravens beat writer, says it will take a “major setback” with Reed’s nerve impingement or ligament tears in his hip and groin to force him into retirement. Reed recently indicated that he’s “feeling good” but isn’t yet ready to announce a decision.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Dallas: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones indicated that money won’t be a factor in Marion Barber returning for the 2010 season, but injury concerns could cause a change in his usage pattern. MBIII’s injuries have been of the nagging variety, but the Dallas Cowboys still haven’t been able to rely on him down the stretch for two straight years. Felix Jones has earned a greater share of the early-down carries, and Tashard Choice is expected to see more time on passing downs. ESPNDallas.com’s Calvin Watkins shot down a “hot rumor” that the Cowboys are shopping Barber, who is due $4M bonus on top of his $3.8M salary in 2010.

Oakland: Oakland Raiders hired former Ravens QBs coach Hue Jackson as offensive coordinator and signed him to a three-year contract. The Raiders didn’t have anyone in the offensive coordinator role last year, so the move may be a sign of progress for pro football’s most dysfunctional franchise. Tom Cable was clearly stretched last year as Oakland’s playcaller, offensive line overseer, and head coach while dealing with off-field problems.

Tampa Bay: Bucs offensive coordinator Greg Olson has set a goal for Josh Freeman to complete 60% of his passes in 2010. Freeman completed just 54.6% as a rookie. “He can work on making a lot of the throws,” Olson said. “Deep balls throws and accuracy. Fundamentals. If you look at all the studies of playoff quarterbacks and winning quarterbacks, that’s where it’s at…60 percent.” Freeman would also benefit from Tampa upgrading his receiver corps. No. 1 wideout Antonio Bryant is a free agent.

Chicago: The Chicago Bears have reportedly received permission to interview Bears QBs coach Kevin Rogers for their vacant offensive coordinator position. Rogers, known as a players coach with good communication skills, is credited with developing Donovan McNabb at Syracuse in addition to his work with a raw Tarvaris Jackson in Minnesota. His interview is expected to take place later this week.

2010 NFL Draft: According to an ESPN report earlier this month, Alabama NT Terrence Cody weighed “right around” 355 pounds on January 5. In other words, Cody appears to have gained 15 pounds (he measured 6’4/370 at the Senior Bowl) in the last 20 days. Cody’s body appeared sloppy, to put it mildly, when he removed his shirt for Monday’s weigh-in. While weight fluctuation is a routine concern for clogging, nose-tackle types, Cody is already resembling a late-career Ted Washington at age 21.