Jamal Lewis News: Pro Sports Daily

Jamal Lewis still plans to call it quits at season's end

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November 6

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Bye weeks can be tough on coaches and GMs whose teams are floundering. But for players, a week without a game can be a relaxing tonic. Such is the case with running back Jamal Lewis. He returned to his locker Wednesday after tending to personal business in Atlanta. With the news-starved media horde anticipating more juice from perhaps the most respected man in the locker room, Lewis was in a reflective mood. After the game in Chicago, Lewis was so upset with yet another pathetic team performance that he declared this would be his last NFL season. Wednesday, he said he had planning to retire, anyway."

With air game grounded, a churning Jamal Lewis keeps the offense moving

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October 12

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Imagine if Jamal Lewis had been healthy. Coming off a pulled hamstring that caused him to miss two games, Lewis rushed for 117 yards on 31 carries in Sunday's 6-3 victory over Buffalo. It was his first 100-yard game since Dec. 30, 2007 against the 49ers (26 carries for 128) and the Browns improved to 12-3 in games in which Lewis has 20 or more carries. Lewis got stronger as the game went on, rushing for 67 yards in the second half, including runs of 18, 10 and 10 yards. The last one converted a third and 9 and allowed the final field goal drive to eat up more time. "It was great," said Lewis. "That's the type of football I'm used to playing. Grinding it out, time of possession and ..."

Lewis keeps Browns moving with 117 yards

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October 12

Akron Beacon Journal

"Jamal Lewis had fresh legs, thanks to two weeks off with a hamstring injury. So when gusty winds played havoc with the Browns' passing attack and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll elected to keep handing the ball to the 30-year-old, 10-year veteran, Lewis was all smiles. ''It was great,'' Lewis said. ''That's the type of football I'm used to playing. Grinding it out, time of possession and keeping the chains moving.'' Lewis rushed for 117 yards on 31 carries as the Browns snapped a 10-game losing streak with an ugly 6-3 victory Sunday over the Buffalo Bills in Ralph Wilson Stadium. Lewis picked up 67 of the Browns' 74 rushing yards in the second half and got all but three of their 20 ..."

Cleveland Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson and kicker Phil Dawson doubtful

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October 9

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson and kicker Phil Dawson sat out today's practice with injuries and are doubtful for Sunday's game in Buffalo. Jackson (hamstring) sat out both Thursday and Friday, and Dawson (right calf), who hasn't been seen in Berea for several weeks, missed the entire week. Billy Cundiff will most likely replace Dawson for the third straight week and rookie linebacker David Veikune could start in place of Jackson."

Jamal Lewis doesn't see Harrison as competition

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October 9

Akron Beacon Journal

"Throughout his 10-year NFL career, Jamal Lewis has proven that the more he runs the ball, the better he gets. But Lewis is as bright as he is brutally honest. He understands that as he recovers from a nagging hamstring injury, teaming with Jerome Harrison probably gives the Browns a better overall offensive attack. Harrison is ''a good back, always has been,'' Lewis said. ''[Harrison's] a smaller back [5-foot-9, 205 pounds], but at the same time, he still can hit it up in there. He's an elusive guy, studies well, is a smart back and very instinctive.'' In his fourth pro season since the Browns drafted him in the fifth round in 2006, Harrison had his first 100-yard rushing game in last ..."

Lewis will be inactive for Browns

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October 4

NFL.com

"NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reports Browns RB Jamal Lewis will be inactive for today's game against the Bengals, according to a league source. Lewis has been battling a hamstring injury and was listed as doubtful for today's game. The Browns are dangerously thin in the backfield after placing rookie RB James Davis on season-ending injured reserve Saturday, a move that leaves Jerome Harrison as the only experienced back on the roster. The Browns also signed rookie RB Chris Jennings to the active roster from the practice squad."

Decade-long rivalry pits Lewis against Taylor again

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October 2

Baltimore Sun

"Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis and New England Patriots running back Fred Taylor need no introductions. From 1998 through 2001, they regularly bumped heads when the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Ravens both played in the old AFC Central. In the early days, the Jaguars would torture the Ravens' defense with quarterback Mark Brunell and receivers Keenan McCardell, Jimmy Smith and Taylor. It wasn't until 2000 that the Ravens started to turn the series around. But Lewis hasn't forgotten Taylor. In six career games against the Ravens while with Jacksonville, Taylor rushed for 510 yards, gaining 4.4 yards a carry. Taylor had two big games against the Ravens in 1998 and one in 2002. Taylor ..."

Browns not counting out Jamal Lewis and Phil Dawson for Sunday's game

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October 1

Cleveland Plain Dealer

""Cautiously optimistic" is the way Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini described his hopes of seeing running back Jamal Lewis and kicker Phil Dawson back in action Sunday against Cincinnati. "I think with all those guys it'll come down to the end of the week to see where they are," Mangini said. Lewis (hamstring) and Dawson (groin) missed the Baltimore game and the first two practices for Cincinnati. Lewis worked on the stationary bike with a trainer today. Dawson was not on the field. Lewis said before practice that he was taking it "day by day." Dawson hasn't appeared in the locker room the last two days. Guard Floyd Womack (ankle) and guard Rex Hadnot were not on the practice field ..."

Lewis and Dawson might miss Bengals game, too

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October 1

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Browns might have to play their second straight division game without running back Jamal Lewis or kicker Phil Dawson. Both were idle again Wednesday after missing Sunday's game in Baltimore -- Lewis with a hamstring injury and Dawson with a right calf injury. In addition, right guard Floyd Womack (ankle) and starting left defensive end Kenyon Coleman (groin) did not participate. "I'm just doing everything the trainers are asking me to do," Coleman said. "I'm trying to get better, day to day, and we'll see how it goes." He said he hurt it early in the Denver game, "but I tried not to make it obvious. At least I did let the coach know." In Lewis' absence, Jerome Harrison was one of ..."

Jamal Lewis, Phil Dawson among the Browns sidelined for Ravens

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September 27

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"A daunting offensive challenge for the Cleveland Browns became officially all the more difficult early Saturday evening when the team announced its list of players declared out for Sunday's game due to injury. On the list were running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring), kicker Phil Dawson (right calf) along with offensive linemen Rex Hadnot (knee) and Floyd Womack (ankle). Baltimore safety Ed Reed was listed as questionable on Friday. To step in for Dawson, the Browns signed free agent Billy Cundiff, and waived running back Cedric Peerman. Cundiff was originally signed by Dallas as an undrafted free agent in 2002 and spent four seasons (2002-05) with the Cowboys. He spent a portion of the 2006 ..."

Browns might be without Phil Dawson, Jamal Lewis

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September 26

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Browns might have to face the Ravens Sunday without two of their best offensive weapons: running back Jamal Lewis and kicker Phil Dawson. Lewis is doubtful to face his former team with a hamstring injury suffered last week in Denver, meaning there's only a 25 percent chance he'll play. He hasn't practiced all week, including Friday's final full workout before the game. If he can't go, he'll be replaced by the combination of Jerome Harrison and rookie James Davis. Dawson was added to the injury report on Friday as questionable with a right calf injury, meaning there's a 50-50 chance he'll play. He was limited in practice and afterward the Browns worked out four free-agents kickers, ..."

Harrison takes reps, Lewis nurses injury

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September 25

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Jamal Lewis missed his second day of practice with a hamstring injury on Thursday. In his place, Jerome Harrison took reps with the first team. Harrison, who missed most of preseason with a knee injury, was not on the Browns' injury report. James Davis (shoulder) had full participation for the second day in a row. Lewis has rushed for 100 yards or more against 18 teams in his nine NFL seasons. Baltimore, his former team, is not one of them. Since joining the Browns, Lewis has a high of 92 yards rushing against the Ravens. In four meetings, he has averaged 3.4 yards a rush, gaining 261 yards in 76 attempts. You have to wonder if this could be Lewis' last visit to Baltimore wearing a ..."

Hamstring injury idles Jamal Lewis; Davis and Harrison may face Ravens

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September 24

Baltimore Sun

"The Browns face a frightening prospect Sunday in Baltimore: What if running back Jamal Lewis is unable to go against his former team and their top-ranked run defense? Lewis suffered a hamstring injury in Denver, although it wasn't known until the injury report came out Wednesday afternoon. He sat out Wednesday's practice and will likely be listed as questionable when the designations are released on Friday. Surely, Lewis will do everything possible to play against his former team. But if he can't go, rookie running back James Davis and Jerome Harrison, who've combined for 13 yards on seven carries, will share the load. Davis, who was inactive in Denver with a shoulder injury, was back ..."

Jamal Lewis sidelined

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September 24

Akron Beacon Journal

"Browns veteran running back Jamal Lewis did not practice with the team Wednesday, and was later listed on the injury report with a hamstring injury. Before practice, he strolled through the locker room wearing a gray Browns' sweatshirt while his teammates got dressed in preparation for practice. Running back James Davis, who was inactive last week after suffering a shoulder injury in the opener against the Minnesota Vikings, participated in Wednesday's practice. Lewis appeared on the injury report last week after suffering a neck stinger against the Vikings. In the game against the Vikings, he rushed 11 times for 57 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry against a defense that has led the ..."

Hamstring injury forces Jamal Lewis to miss Cleveland Browns practice

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September 24

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Browns face a frightening prospect Sunday in Baltimore: What if running back Jamal Lewis is unable to go against his former team and their top-ranked run defense? Lewis suffered a hamstring injury in Denver, although it wasn't known until the injury report came out Wednesday afternoon. He sat out Wednesday's practice and will likely be listed as questionable when the designations are released Friday. But if Lewis can't play, rookie running back James Davis and Jerome Harrison, who've combined for 13 yards on seven carries, will share the load. Davis, who was inactive in Denver with a shoulder injury, was back full-go in practice Wednesday and will be ready to play. But he struggled in ..."

Lewis takes the ball, shows protege how game is played

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September 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Browns' season opener against Minnesota showed that running back Jamal Lewis still has it and that his rookie protege James Davis is still trying to get it. During the preseason, Jamal Lewis turned 30, averaged only 2.6 yards per carry and was described as slow and plodding by his critics. A day before the final cuts, rumors began that he might be cut. Instead, he faced the NFL's best run defense and averaged 5.2 yards per carry on 11 carries for 57 yards. He also caught all three passes thrown his way for 47 yards, including one for 19 yards. "I said last week that he had a pretty good week of practice," said offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. "He's had another good week of ..."

RB Jamal Lewis on the chopping block?

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September 5

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Could Browns running back Jamal Lewis be cut Saturday when the Browns trim their roster to 53? League sources said rumblings began a couple of days ago that Lewis, who turned 30 last week, could be one of the dozen players the Browns let go, and espn.com's Adam Schefter Friday put Lewis at the top of his list of big-name players on the bubble. Nationalfootballpost.com's Mike Lombardi also speculated Lewis will be cut. Question is, would the Browns release a player after giving him a $3.5 million roster bonus in March? Would they put the ball in the hands of rookie running back James Davis? And what about Jerome Harrison, still recovering from a left knee injury? "Nobody has told us ..."

We'll play to win, Harbaugh says

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December 23

Baltimore Sun

"The Ravens might clinch the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC before they take the field Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M"

Jamal Lewis reaches 10,000-yard rushing club

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December 22

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Not even joining the elite 10,000-yard club was enough to ease the sting of the worst season Jamal Lewis has endured in his nine-year career. "Oh yeah, it's the worst season that I've ever played in, honestly," said Lewis, who during the 14-0 loss to the Bengals became the 24th player in NFL history to rush for 10,000 yards. "It's the toughest season ever. Due to circumstances, this wasn't the season that everybody wanted. But we didn't come out here and throw games and just lay down. We fought hard, but it wasn't enough." Lewis said he derives no real joy from reaching 10,000, which he accomplished on an 8-yard run in the third quarter. "It doesn't mean anything to me, honestly," ..."

Lewis braces for Titanic test

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December 3

Tennessean

"As Cleveland's featured running back, Jamal Lewis will certainly have some adjustments to make when the Browns start yet another quarterback this Sunday. Yet he has something bigger - much bigger - to worry about when the Browns (4-8) visit LP Field to take on the Titans (11-1). "Albert Haynesworth," Lewis said Wednesday during a conference call with Nashville media. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Haynesworth and his fellow Titans defensive linemen haven't been kind to Lewis over the years, keeping him under 100 yards in each of the last seven meetings, all when he still played for the Ravens. In the last three meetings he's averaged just 2.2 yards per carry. Lewis, who was Haynesworth's teammate ..."

Lewis taken aback by decreased role in Browns offense

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November 24

Akron Beacon Journal

"Despite a 16-6 loss to the Houston Texans, Browns running back Jamal Lewis wasn't calling anybody out in the locker room after Sunday's game. Considering he committed one of the Browns' five turnovers and was partially involved in another, Lewis took as much of the blame for the loss as anybody. Lewis fumbled on the Browns' first possession of the game after being tackled by cornerback Jacques Reeves on a short pass from Brady Quinn. After Reeves knocked the ball loose, linebacker DeMeco Ryans pounced on it. Lewis admitted it was ''bad ball handling'' on his part and that he should have held the ball ''high and tight.'' The secondin the fourth quarter was a little more ambiguous and was ..."

Lewis taken aback by decreased role in Browns offense

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November 24

Akron Beacon Journal

"Despite a 16-6 loss to the Houston Texans, Browns running back Jamal Lewis wasn't calling anybody out in the locker room after Sunday's game. Considering he committed one of the Browns' five turnovers and was partially involved in another, Lewis took as much of the blame for the loss as anybody. Lewis fumbled on the Browns' first possession of the game after being tackled by cornerback Jacques Reeves on a short pass from Brady Quinn. After Reeves knocked the ball loose, linebacker DeMeco Ryans pounced on it. Lewis admitted it was ''bad ball handling'' on his part and that he should have held the ball ''high and tight.'' The secondin the fourth quarter was a little more ambiguous and was ..."

Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis questions play-calling

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November 24

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Running back Jamal Lewis, who ran only 10 times but averaged 5.8 yards, questioned offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski's play-calling again. He tried to be diplomatic but made it perfectly clear he's at philosophical odds with Chudzinski. "You see it for yourself," Lewis said. "The worst thing about it is how you prepare. You prepare to come out here and do your job and be the best you can be. Then, the most disturbing thing is when you're not really able to get out there and put that stuff to work on the field. You do all you can do, and then it's just put to rest come game time." Lewis said the play-calling leaves him "confused, but I just try to make the best of a bad situation and ..."

Jamal Lewis rips some teammates

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November 8

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"A frustrated Jamal Lewis ripped some of his Browns teammates after the 34-30 loss to Denver for quitting while they were ahead in the third quarter Thursday. "This is the NFL, you can't call it quits until the game is over," the running back said. "But it looks to me like some people called it quits before that. Denver was down, but they didn't call it quits. They kept their heads up and they finished. We didn't do that two weeks in a row -- at home." Without naming names, Lewis said: "Some people need to check their egos at the door and find some heart to come out here and play hard. This is a man's game. The way we went out there and played two weeks in a row, finishing the same kind ..."

A leaner Jamal Lewis shapes up for big season

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July 29

Akron Beacon Journal

columnist Patrick McManamon

"Jamal Lewis ran 1,304 yards last season when his playing weight was listed at 245 pounds. So what did he do in the offseason? He dieted and lost weight so he could report to the Browns training camp at the lightest he has been since he was a junior at the University of Tennessee. Want to question that decision? You're allowed; it is America, after all. But nobody on the Browns seems to know himself better than Lewis, and nobody takes as professional an approach to preparation and readiness for the season. Consider Lewis' thinking for coming to camp at 237 pounds - a loss that is noticeable. ''Knowing the scheme that we're going to run here and the runs that we run . . . there are a lot of ..."