BRIEFLY : RAVENS CUT MORRIS, CHASE RETIRED KELLY.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

The Baltimore Ravens said goodbye to troubled running back Bam Morris on Wednesday and reiterated their desire to sign former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly.

The Ravens, eager to retool an offense that sputtered in the latter portion of the 1997 season, said Kelly would step in as the No. 1 quarterback if he decides to come out of retirement and proves he can still play.

Morris, 26, led the Ravens in rushing in each of the past two seasons but missed time both years while serving NFL-mandated suspensions for substance abuse. An unrestricted free agent, Morris is serving a four-month jail term for violating probation in connection with his 1996 arrest for marijuana possession.

Green Bay Packers coach Mike Holmgren says he has not been contacted by any team about a new job, but still wants to be a general manager.

Brian Billick thinks he's still the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, but he's working from home until his status is resolved.

Team president Roger Headrick refuses to disregard Billick's resignation letter, turned in last week when Dennis Green's status was unresolved,and said he must hear from NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue before determining Billick's status.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Derrick Rodgers was arrested and booked for investigation of drunk driving after a Sunset Boulevard confrontation with police officers.

BASEBALL: The Milwaukee Brewers signed outfielder Jeromy Burnitz to a four-year, $14.5 million contract, adding the power hitter to a core roster they hope to keep through the opening of a new ballpark in 2000.

John Valentin, who once vowed to leave the Red Sox, agreed to a $25 million, four-year contract with Boston that includes a team option for 2002.

The Cincinnati Reds signed pitcher Mark Hutton, acquired from the Colorado Rockies last month for outfielder Curtis Goodwin, to a one-year contract.

ALSO: Alabama assistant basketball coach Tyrone Beaman was suspended from all coaching duties, only 30 minutes before the Crimson Tide's game against Tennessee, until an internal investigation into possible university and department violations is completed. . . . The World Boxing Organization reinstated Ricardo Lopez's strawweight title after it was taken away because the fighter gave his championship belt to his father. . . . New York Rangers forward Alexei Kovalev underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will be sidelined for three weeks, forcing him to miss the Winter Olympics. . . . Canadian downhiller Cary Mullen, feeling the effects of a horrific crash in December in Colorado, has called off his bid to compete in Nagano.