The Cleveland Browns released veteran RB Jamal Lewis on Wednesday, ending the veteran's three-year stint with the team. Lewis had a very good first season with the Browns, but he just wasn't the same over the past two seasons. Amidst the Browns' losing streak earlier this season, Lewis proclaimed that he would retire at the end of the season.
While a season-ending injury kept Lewis out after that, it paved the way for Eric Mangini to finally showcase RB Jerome Harrison. How did Harrison perform in Lewis' place? Not too bad -- he only ran for the most yards in team history one week, and then broke the team record for most carries in a game the following week. Harrison did so well that some might go as far as saying the Browns can feel comfortable at the running back position heading into next season.
After his release, Lewis confirmed that he might still has an interest in remaining in the NFL next season:
"I plan to evaluate my future and have not made a final determination on whether I will be playing football next season."
Lewis was a fine acquisition for the Browns and he served his purpose. It was clearly time to move on though.
UPDATE: Pro Football Talk, never one to shy away from controversy, speculates that Lewis might want to consider playing to pay off a potential $25 million court case he was involved with back in 2008.
In other news, the Baltimore Ravens have signed WR Donte Stallworth to a one-year contract. Hopefully he ends up being as wasteful of an acquisition for the Ravens as he was for the Browns.
0 recs | 9 comments
Unfortunately, as a result of the concussions, Jamal isn’t sure whether or not he’s been released or which sport he plays.
elsandito - February 17, 2010
The ticker on the left says he’s being sued for $25 million. What the heck did he do?
skipkirk - February 17, 2010
He shanked someone right?
SpecialBrownie - February 18, 2010
Lewis had a couple of good seasons. I’m happy we’ve parted ways, so we can have the roster spot for someone who’s going to be productive.
J. W. - February 17, 2010
YOURS TRULY was the one who submitted the tip w/r/t the $25 judgment to PFT (thank you, thank you).
I was actually law clerking for the cleveland law firm whom the out-of-state plaintiffs hired to execute the judgment. I had the honor (that’s a joke, more like “the errand”) of filing the papers at the justice center. That’s all I did though, no idea about any of the details of the case (the plaintiff appears to be an investment firm, if that helps) – I just remember being baffled by whom it was against and by how much it was.
DrewskiC - February 18, 2010
We should have benched this contract.
mooncamping - February 18, 2010
We did.
Roger Dorn - February 18, 2010
I’m happy he is off the team. Never liked him after he cut the Browns for 295.
The Brown Note - February 18, 2010
Agreed.
danvail - February 20, 2010
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