Fox Sports: Jamal Lewis to Cleveland

**OnTheWarpath15** · 03-07-2007, 08:51 PM

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6545704?MSNHPHMA

CLEVELAND (AP) - Free agent running back Jamal Lewis agreed to a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, a person within the NFL told The Associated Press on Wednesday night.

Lewis was released last week in a salary-cap move by Baltimore, which elected not to pay their career rushing leader a $5 million roster bonus. He'll now join the Browns, Baltimore's AFC North rival, who were last in the league in rushing in 2006.

Lewis visited the Browns on Wednesday and decided to sign with the team before leaving town, said the person who has knowledge of the negotiations and spoke on the condition of anonymity because the 27-year-old Lewis hasn't signed yet.

With the Ravens reportedly interested in acquiring Buffalo running back Willis McGahee, Lewis decided to look elsewhere and found a fit with the Browns - the team he torched for an NFL-record 295 yards in 2003.

Lewis spent the afternoon at the Browns' facilities in suburban Berea, meeting with general manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel. Savage was with the Ravens in 2000 when the club drafted Lewis in the first round out of Tennessee.

Lewis, the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2003, is an upgrade at running back for the Browns, who now have to figure out what to do with feature back Reuben Droughns. They owe Droughns a $1.75 million roster bonus later this month.

Slowed by injuries, Droughns rushed for just 758 yards last season after gaining 1,232 yards in 2005 - the first Cleveland back to eclipse 1,000 yards since 1985.

Crennel recently said that he isn't dissatisfied with Droughns.

"He has shown us that he does have the ability, that he can be a productive runner for us," Crennel said. "I expect him to get back to that form that he had. That 1,200-yard form. That's what I'm looking for."

Adding Lewis gives the Browns more options as they plan for April's college draft. The club was believed to be targeting Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson with the No. 3 overall pick, but with Lewis on their roster, the club may be able to address other needs.

In 2003, Lewis rushed for 2,066 yards, the second-highest total in league history. Last season, he ran for 1,132 yards and nine touchdowns, but averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. Two years ago, Lewis served time in prison after a guilty plea to using a cell phone to set up a drug buy.

Silock · 03-07-2007, 08:53 PM

Looks like we won't be trading LJ to them.

Sam Hall · 03-07-2007, 08:54 PM

File this under "Things you never thought would happen."

Mecca · 03-07-2007, 08:54 PM

Not totally surprised.......I still wouldn't be surprised to see them take Peterson.

Sam Hall · 03-07-2007, 08:54 PM

If you can't beat 'em, sign 'em.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 03-07-2007, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Not totally surprised.......I still wouldn't be surprised to see them take Peterson.

I'd be trading down, if I were them.

Unless Joe Thomas is still available.....

Mecca · 03-07-2007, 08:56 PM

Well there's always Calvin Johnson possibly falling there.....if that happened they'd have a hell of a reciever base.

ChiefsCountry · 03-07-2007, 08:57 PM

Cleveland needs to trade down, they have a ton of holes and need to fill them.

**noa** · 03-07-2007, 08:57 PM

I don't see why they're a lock to pass on Calvin Johnson. I mean, I get it that they have Braylon Edwards, but what's wrong with having two stud WR's? Arizona, Cincy, Indy, all do well with two top flight receivers.

Zouk · 03-07-2007, 08:57 PM

Great move for them - Jamal is still only 27 believe it or not. He started in a Super Bowl at the age of 21. And the Browns have a highly under-rated 3rd down back in Jason Wright, who made the Chiefs defense look ridiculous last year.

Mecca · 03-07-2007, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noa949

I don't see why they're a lock to pass on Calvin Johnson. I mean, I get it that they have Braylon Edwards, but what's wrong with having two stud WR's? Arizona, Cincy, Indy, all do well with two top flight receivers.

I don't think they're a lock to pass on him a Johnson/Edwards/Winslow base would be some great talent.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 03-07-2007, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Well there's always Calvin Johnson possibly falling there.....if that happened they'd have a hell of a reciever base.

True, but they are in a similar OL situation as us.

It hard to utilize your receivers when your QB is getting beat to his 3 step drop.....

Silock · 03-07-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zouk

who made the Chiefs defense look ridiculous last year.

You make it sound like that's some sort of accomplishment or something.

Mecca · 03-07-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

True, but they are in a similar OL situation as us.

It hard to utilize your receivers when your QB is getting beat to his 3 step drop.....

Wait.....isn't this the team that just spent big money on 3 OL in the last 2 years? It can't be just like ours.

**noa** · 03-07-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I don't think they're a lock to pass on him a Johnson/Edwards/Winslow base would be some great talent.

That's what I think, but most of the mocks drafts I see have them passing on Johnson. I guess things might change now that they have signed a RB.

03-07-2007, 08:51 PM
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4931115	Fox Sports: Jamal Lewis to Cleveland http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6545704?MSNHPHMA CLEVELAND (AP) - Free agent running back Jamal Lewis agreed to a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, a person within the NFL told The Associated Press on Wednesday night. Lewis was released last week in a salary-cap move by Baltimore, which elected not to pay their career rushing leader a $5 million roster bonus. He'll now join the Browns, Baltimore's AFC North rival, who were last in the league in rushing in 2006. Lewis visited the Browns on Wednesday and decided to sign with the team before leaving town, said the person who has knowledge of the negotiations and spoke on the condition of anonymity because the 27-year-old Lewis hasn't signed yet. With the Ravens reportedly interested in acquiring Buffalo running back Willis McGahee, Lewis decided to look elsewhere and found a fit with the Browns - the team he torched for an NFL-record 295 yards in 2003. Lewis spent the afternoon at the Browns' facilities in suburban Berea, meeting with general manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel. Savage was with the Ravens in 2000 when the club drafted Lewis in the first round out of Tennessee. Lewis, the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2003, is an upgrade at running back for the Browns, who now have to figure out what to do with feature back Reuben Droughns. They owe Droughns a $1.75 million roster bonus later this month. Slowed by injuries, Droughns rushed for just 758 yards last season after gaining 1,232 yards in 2005 - the first Cleveland back to eclipse 1,000 yards since 1985. Crennel recently said that he isn't dissatisfied with Droughns. "He has shown us that he does have the ability, that he can be a productive runner for us," Crennel said. "I expect him to get back to that form that he had. That 1,200-yard form. That's what I'm looking for." Adding Lewis gives the Browns more options as they plan for April's college draft. The club was believed to be targeting Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson with the No. 3 overall pick, but with Lewis on their roster, the club may be able to address other needs. In 2003, Lewis rushed for 2,066 yards, the second-highest total in league history. Last season, he ran for 1,132 yards and nine touchdowns, but averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. Two years ago, Lewis served time in prison after a guilty plea to using a cell phone to set up a drug buy.
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03-07-2007, 08:53 PM	#2
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	Looks like we won't be trading LJ to them.
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03-07-2007, 08:54 PM	#3
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	File this under "Things you never thought would happen." __________________
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03-07-2007, 08:54 PM	#4
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2667050	Not totally surprised.......I still wouldn't be surprised to see them take Peterson.
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03-07-2007, 08:54 PM	#5
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	If you can't beat 'em, sign 'em. __________________
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03-07-2007, 08:56 PM	#7
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2667050	Well there's always Calvin Johnson possibly falling there.....if that happened they'd have a hell of a reciever base.
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03-07-2007, 08:57 PM	#8
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2368752	Cleveland needs to trade down, they have a ton of holes and need to fill them.
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03-07-2007, 08:57 PM	#9
noa Band Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $1645453	I don't see why they're a lock to pass on Calvin Johnson. I mean, I get it that they have Braylon Edwards, but what's wrong with having two stud WR's? Arizona, Cincy, Indy, all do well with two top flight receivers. __________________ Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes, well, he eats you.
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03-07-2007, 08:57 PM	#10
Zouk Veteran Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: DC Casino cash: $10004900	Great move for them - Jamal is still only 27 believe it or not. He started in a Super Bowl at the age of 21. And the Browns have a highly under-rated 3rd down back in Jason Wright, who made the Chiefs defense look ridiculous last year.
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