NFL

DeMeco Ryans

Texans re-signed MLB DeMeco Ryans to a six-year, $48 million contract. The deal was first reported by beat writer John McClain, though ESPN’s Adam Schefter had the particulars. The contract contains a whopping $21.75M guaranteed and $26.3M in the first three years, including a $7.5M signing bonus and $7M base salary in 2010.

A two-time Pro Bowler and captain of the Texans’ improving defense, Ryans rivals Jon Beason as the second-best young inside linebacker in the game behind Patrick Willis. The 25-year-old did well to match Karlos Dansby’s guaranteed money with the Dolphins. Ryans, Brian Cushing, and unsung SLB Zac Diles will form one of the top 4-3 linebacker units for years to come.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Philadelphia: According to NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora, Donovan McNabb’s $6.5 million roster bonus, due by May 5, will not factor into the Philadelphia Eagles’ decision making. A potential McNabb trade is most likely go down around draft weekend in late April, so the roster bonus wouldn’t fall on Philly’s shoulders. Should McNabb remain on the roster by early May, there is no chance the Eagles will cut him to avoid paying the bonus. McNabb’s base salary for 2010 is just $5 million.

New England: The Providence Journal confirms that coach Bill Belichick “became concerned” about Laurence Maroney’s fumbles in crucial situations late last season.

Though Belichick was typically taciturn on the issue, Maroney was sent to the bench in Week 16, deactivated in Week 17, and saw just one carry in the Wild Card loss to the Baltimore Ravens. With Maroney, Sammy Morris, and Fred Taylor all in the final year of their contracts, the Pats could select a running back of the future with one of their three second-round picks.

Oakland: Raiders re-signed restricted free agent S Hiram Eugene to a one-year, $1.759 million contract.
The Oakland Raiders will overpay Eugene to back up at safety and contribute on special teams after he lost his starting job to Michael Huff last season.

Multiple Cowboys sources denied Tuesday that Marion Barber is on the trading block. The denials come on the heels of an NFL Network report that Barber is available via trade. Due a $4M roster bonus and $3.8M base salary, the increasingly injury-prone MBIII is making too much money to play a supporting role behind Felix Jones. With the Cowboys set to contend in 2010, though, owner Jerry Jones has suggested his backfield depth is a luxury he can’t afford to lose.

2010 NFL Draft: A league source tells WEEI.com in Boston that the Patriots “love” Penn State DL Jared Odrick. Odrick has drawn comparisons to Richard Seymour for his size and athleticism. Like Seymour, Odrick can also play defensive end in a 3-4 or tackle in a 4-3. He’s projected to go in the last half of the first round, so he could be available when the Pats pick at No. 22.