Ravens running back Jamal Lewis confirmed yesterday that he had surgery a week ago to remove bone spurs from his right ankle and that those bone spurs slowed him during the 2006 season, especially in the first six games until he took injections to ease the pain. Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome first spoke about the surgery yesterday at the Ravens' annual season-ending news conference. Later in the day, Lewis said from his home in Atlanta that he has a splint on the ankle and that it could be removed as early as today. He expects to start jogging in another one to two weeks and running again in seven weeks.

The Baltimore Ravens extended coach Brian Billick's contract Wednesday following the best season in franchise history. The team simply sent out a one-line statement to make the announcement, and promised no further details or discussion.

The Ravens promoted Rick Neuheisel to offensive coordinator Monday, although coach Brian Billick said he'll continue to call the plays next season. Billick fired Jim Fassel as offensive coordinator on Oct. 17 and manned the position himself, a move that rejuvenated both the head coach and the Ravens' attack.

Jonathan Ogden, the 10-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle, said there is a "possibility" he might retire and end his career after 11 seasons. "I'll take a week to try to let my toe get better and I'll see from there," Ogden said as players packed up their lockers yesterday. "I'll take some time away and re-evaluate some things. That's how it's going to be. I'll see what I want to do next year a little later on."

Adam Vinatieri kicked five-field goals as the Colts defeated the Ravens 15-6 in Baltimore, on Saturday, to advance to the AFC title game next weekend.

The stout defense of the Ravens will get tested right away in the postseason. Fresh off a first-round bye, the Ravens look to slow down Peyton Manning and the Colts when the teams meet Saturday in Baltimore in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs. The Ravens rode the top-ranked defense in the NFL to the No. 2 seed in the AFC. Baltimore allowed league lows of 264.1 yards and 12.6 points per game in the regular season, and scored six defensive touchdowns.