NFL

Brian Westbrook says he’s “100 percent sure” he won’t retire before this year’s OTAs “unless something crazy happens.” “My goal is to get back out there and play football again,” said Westbrook. “That’s what I’m gonna train this offseason to do.” Westbrook acknowledges that getting “younger and cheaper” is beneficial to the Eagles and playing for another team is “part of the business.” Due $7.25M, he’d have to take a major paycut to play for Philly. Unlike LaDainian Tomlinson and Clinton Portis, Westbrook can still be an offensive asset as he ages.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Pittsburg: The Pittsburg Steelers are interested in bringing back free agent Charlie Batch as their No. 3 quarterback.
The team is high on Dennis Dixon, and the 2008 fifth-rounder earned the backup job with his Week 12 fill-in start against the Ravens. Batch, now 35, could opt for retirement rather than return as the third-stringer.

Cincinnati: The Bengals no longer have interest in free agent WR Donte’ Stallworth now that they’ve signed Matt Jones. The Detroit Lions are the only other team reported to be interested in Stallworth thus far. The 29-year-old hopes to sign with a new team within the next few weeks.

Indianapolis: The ankle that Dwight Freeney sprained in the playoffs will not require surgery this offseason.
Freeney’s ankle had reportedly swollen to the size of his calf in the second half of the Super Bowl. He’ll have plenty of time to recover before OTAs begin this spring.

Tampa Bay: Bucs OG Arron Sears, on the reserve/non-football injury list last season, is working out at One Buccaneer Place with an eye on being ready for OTAs this year. Sears has to get back into football shape and pick up Greg Olson’s offense after missing all of last year, including offseason workouts. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can’t count on him contributing, but if all goes well he could work his way back into their plans.

Seattle: Seahawks agreed to terms with OLB/DE Ricky Foley, the CFL’s co-sack leader in 2009.
Foley took the baton from former teammate Cameron Wake, now of the Dolphins, who led the CFL in sacks in 2008. Not quite as talented as Wake, Foley’s ceiling is third-down pass rusher and special teamer for the Seattle Seahawks.

Miami: Though he’s not yet jogging, Ronnie Brown insists he’s ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery to repair a Lisfranc fracture in his right foot. “I know I want to be in training camp,” Brown said. “I think that’s a goal that’s very, very attainable.” X-rays taken a few weeks ago showed good progress in the foot. Though he’s taking the rehab slowly, Brown is expected to make a full recovery from the injury.