NFL

The Saints plan to reward QB Drew Brees with a contract extension this offseason, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Saints considered an extension last offseason, on the heels of Brees’ second-place finish in the MVP race. After the second straight MVP caliber season in addition to a Super Bowl appearance, the New Orleans Saints are prepared to bring Brees’ salary up to the standard for elite quarterbacks. He was just the 17th-highest paid quarterback in the league in 2009. With Tom Brady and Peyton Manning also in line for new contracts, Brees figures to get a substantial pay hike and be on the same level as Brady and Manning.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Baltimore: Ravens beat writer Mike Preston believes it will be a “surprising” if the Ravens make a play for Brandon Marshall this offseason. Owner Steve Bisciotti is willing to take a risk on “first-time offenders,” but he’s much more leery of repeat offenders. Marshall has had problems with coaches Mike Shanahan and Josh McDaniels the past two years, both of them growing tired of his antics on and off the field. He’s simply too big of a character risk for the likely first-round (or more) asking price.

Baltimore: Acknowledging that wide receiver is a priority this offseason, Baltimore Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome indicated that he’s “open” to trading players or draft picks to acquire an upgrade. The Ravens need a big, physical receiver to push Derrick Mason into the No. 2 role. Anquan Boldin and Brandon Marshall both fit the description, though coaches’ nightmare Marshall comes with a sizable character risk. The injury-prone Boldin would come at a lower cost in players and/or draft picks.

St. Louis: According to a report from Jason LaCanfora on NFL Network Wednesday, the St. Louis Rams are “definitely” the favorites to land Michael Vick this offseason. The Rams have connections to Vick, beginning with GM Billy Devaney from their time together in Atlanta. Coach Steve Spagnuolo and coordinator Pat Shurmur are both tight with Andy Reid and presumably have received positive reports on Vick. Despite the Eagles’ recent contention that they don’t plan to deal Vick, he’s almost certainly available for a late round draft pick.

New York: In an interview with radio station WFAN Wednesday, Giants DE Usi Umenyiora insisted he will quit football if he’s not starting for the Giants in 2010. “I’m not going to be a back up player, I can promise you that,” Umenyiora said. “I’ll stop playing football before I do that ever again. This has been just the worst offseason of my entire life.” Umenyiora is still livid over his late-season benching, though he earned it with his subpar play in 2009. New coordinator Perry Fewell has already started mending fences, hinting that he sees Umenyiora as a full-time player.

San Diego: In an interview with San Diego station XX 1090, LaDainian Tomlinson insisted Tuesday that he would not take a paycut “under any circumstances.” LT says he’s unhappy with changes in the organization, but he wouldn’t rule out returning to San Diego. “I can see a lot of things happening,” said Tomlinson. “I just kind of leave it open.” If he’s truly unwilling to restructure, his future almost certainly lies outside of San Diego.