"Jamal Lewis might be the closest the Browns get to a hall of famer until left tackle Joe Thomas is five years into retirement and hosting a reincarnation of The American Sportsman.

But Lewis also represents Browns coach Eric Mangini's biggest failure.

Some might suggest receiver Braylon Edwards or tight end Kellen Winslow are more fitting. By Oct. 7, both Winslow and Edwards had been traded, Mangini unwilling to put up with the high-maintenance divas and their off-the-field dramas. Had Mangini tried to salvage one or both of them, he could have proved he'd grown as a coach and learned from being fired by the New York Jets, not to mention kept some reliable pass-catchers around.

But Lewis, a 10-year veteran running back, was the heartbeat of the pre-Mangini Browns. His work ethic set the tone. His words carried the most weight. His pumping legs epitomized his passion, even as his speed began to desert him.

If Mangini had hitched his wagon to Lewis' star, instead of the other way around, players might have bought into Mangini's system.

The highly respected Lewis was the key to winning the old Browns over, but Mangini never really tried the lock.

Now the Browns (1-10) could end up with the No. 1 pick in the draft. The locker room has clearly turned against the coach. On Wednesday, defensive tackle Corey Williams crooned his version of the Jay-Z song Empire State of Mind as the team prepares for Sunday's home game against the San Diego Chargers.

''Now you're in Cleveland, where they don't care about you, they work the [bleep] out you . . . ,'' Williams sang.

Lewis was willing to give Mangini a chance. He went along with Mangini's demanding style in minicamp and training camp and didn't ask for time off. He tried to set a good example.

But the constant belittling of players eventually became too much for Lewis to bear. The loss of rookie running back James Davis, a product of Lewis' high school in Atlanta, with a season-ending shoulder injury suffered in a post-practice opportunity period had to rankle him. Lewis snapped on Nov. 12, saying Mangini was overworking the players in practice and not leaving anything for the games."