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Running back reconsiders 'pathetic' remark
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Friday, Oct 31, 2008
BEREA: Jamal Lewis seems conflicted over whether he should have called his 12 carries against the Baltimore Ravens ''pathetic.''
Asked if he regretted that remark after a 28-10 loss Sept. 21, the Browns' nine-year veteran running back first said no.
Then he thought about it for a moment and said, ''Maybe. I do regret saying it to the media. I just should have gone up there and told the offensive coaches.''
Whether it was the proper way to handle it, Lewis certainly seemed to get his message across.
Since that afternoon, when he totaled 56 yards against his old team, Lewis hasn't had fewer than 19 carries and has averaged 21. In that four-game span, he has averaged 82 yards rushing.
Lewis said his emotions were known to boil over with the Ravens. But that hasn't been the case since he signed with the Browns in March, 2007, which gave his comments more weight.
''I played under [Brian] Billick for seven years, so I'm kind of used to it,'' Lewis said. ''Sometimes you just get fed up. After that game, I spoke out on it; I shouldn't have. But at the
same time it was something that the coaches heard, we talked about it and it was something to build on.''
Going into Sunday's home rematch with the Ravens (4-3), the Browns (3-4) have the numbers to back up Lewis' demands. Since 2007, they are 11-1 when he has at least 20 carries, including all three victories this year. The only loss came against the Cincinnati Bengals last December, when his 21 rushes for 92 yards couldn't offset quarterback Derek Anderson's four interceptions in a 19-14 defeat.
''I had the same stats in Baltimore,'' Lewis said. ''It's not as simple as just lining up running the ball 20 times. At the same time, once you get momentum, get your offensive line going, establish that physical ball game, being in the AFC North, that's what it is. It's a run conference, if you ask me — physical defenses.''
Browns coach Romeo Crennel chuckled over the 11-1 statistic, saying, ''If it were as simple as, 'Give it to Jamal 20 times,' the first 20 plays of the game would be handed off to Jamal. But they would load up the box and never have to worry about a pass play. Then you see if that 20 would get you a win or not. Generally, your ability to run the ball keeps the defenses off balance because it opens up your play-action pass.''
Browns left guard Eric Steinbach heard the same kind of record associated with Rudi Johnson in Cincinnati. He likes it when Lewis is carrying the load.
''If he can start wearing guys out in the third or fourth quarter and get to his 20, 25 carries, you see him outrunning and outworking the defense,'' Steinbach said. ''He feeds off that. The more you give him, the more he's going to get amped up and he's going to get in a groove.''
To make sure his 29-year-old workhorse stays fresh, Crennel is giving Lewis one day a week off from practice. It was tough for Lewis to take at first.
''I'm not going to lie, it's very hard for me,'' Lewis said. ''I'm a hard worker and that's what I thrive on. When I'm not out there at practice, I feel like I'm letting the team down.
''At the same time . . . we've got a long season ahead of us. We've dug ourselves in a hole, we've got to climb out of it. We need everybody. I just want to be fresh for this run because I take a big beating.''
Even with a renewed emphasis on the run since he spoke out, Lewis hasn't had a 100-yard game this season. His high is 88 yards (on 21 carries) in an upset victory over the New York Giants. After totaling 1,304 yards in a 10-6 season in 2007, Lewis has 484 and is on pace for 1,106.
Reaching the century mark might be even more special against the Ravens, who haven't allowed a back to reach 100 in 26 consecutive games, the longest streak in the NFL.
''I'd like to just get 100, period,'' Lewis said. ''I don't care who it's against, honestly. I know if I can get yards, this offense is doing well. It's not about the numbers, it's about executing and doing what we're supposed to do as a team.''
That's not to say if Lewis gets three carries in the third quarter, like he did in the first game against the Ravens, he won't speak up sooner — at least in private.
''I'll take that advice for next time,'' he said.
Injury update
Missing practice were defensive end Corey Williams (shoulder), fullback Lawrence Vickers (ankle) and right tackle Ryan Tucker (knee). Judging from Crennel's remarks, Tucker seems the least likely to play against the Ravens.
For Baltimore, left tackle Jared Gaither (neck) did not practice and running back Willis McGahee (ankle) was limited.
Brownies . . .
An envelope containing a newspaper photo of Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee tackling Browns returner Joshua Cribbs ''magically appeared'' in Cribbs' locker. Scobee broke his right hand bringing down Cribbs by the shoulder after a 38-yard kickoff return in the second quarter, but will play Sunday against the Bengals. . . . ''I definitely cried afterward, but only because I found out I couldn't play golf for three months,'' Scobee told the Florida Times-Union. . . . Nose tackle Shaun Rogers was chosen GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Week in fan voting on NFL.com. . . . The Browns will hold a drive Sunday to benefit the Cleveland Foodbank. Donations of non-perishable food items and money will be accepted.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: Jamal Lewis seems conflicted over whether he should have called his 12 carries against the Baltimore Ravens ''pathetic.''
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 10:14 AM, 10/31/2008
Lewis and Harrison as a 1-2 punch would look pretty good to me. A good running game opens up the passing game and takes pressure off an average QB.
Posted 06:29 PM, 11/01/2008
tony YOU ARE SO RIGHT.
A little Harrison speed and quickness to the outside mixed in with Lewis will make life a lot better for LEWIS...
and help the passing game by threatening the corners with a shifty speedy back on the dumpoff...
