BEREA: Two weeks ago, running back Jamal Lewis said he wanted to stay in Cleveland.

With five regular-season games remaining on his one-year contract, Lewis didn't sound as sure about that Thursday.

Perhaps he knows the harsh realities of the business side of the NFL. Perhaps he thinks General Manager Phil Savage will decide to spend the Browns' money on defense. Or perhaps Lewis has faith that Savage, whom he has known since his days with the Baltimore Ravens, will take care of him if he can.

Asked about playing for the Browns in 2008, Lewis said, ''As long as I keep doing my job and doing my part, that will take care of itself. I really don't worry about that. I'm pretty much straight. I'm financially stable. I'm happy with where I am. If it works out here, it works out here. If it doesn't, it doesn't.''

Lewis, 28, ranks 11th in the league in rushing with 741 yards going into Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. He feels he already has accomplished his personal mission in 2007 after the Ravens released him after seven seasons.

Asked if he had shown the league what he has, Lewis said, ''That was my point. That's what I came into this season to do and that's why I did a one-year contract, so I could prove myself and show that I still have it.

''I'm bettering myself and I like the guys around me. I'm not doing it by myself. It's (Kellen) Winslow and Braylon (Edwards) and (Derek Anderson) throwing the ball down the field and opening things up so there is running room.''

Savage said Wednesday that Lewis has brought a demeanor to the Browns' offense it didn't have last season.

''I think Jamal has given us a toughness and a temperament that we didn't have before,'' Savage said. ''I think that is part of this that can't be measured. People are going to point to statistics and what he did against this team and that team and how many carries — all sorts of things. But just his presence on our offense has given us something.

''I think that has to be factored in as we're trying to decide what we're going to do. But he's got the remaining five games, and hopefully beyond that, to continue to play well for us.''

Lewis, meanwhile, is taking a pounding that he has rarely seen in recent years. His 29 carries Sunday against the Houston Texans were his most since Oct. 29, 2006, when he had 31 attempts against the New Orleans Saints.

''If you get over 25, it's kind of putting the pound on,'' he said of the physical beating. ''I'll take it however it is.''

Brownies

Sitting out practice Thursday were Edwards, defensive linemen Orpheus Roye and Ethan Kelley, and cornerback Eric Wright. Limited were linebacker Antwan Peek, right tackle Kevin Shaffer and defensive end Robaire Smith. All have knee injuries except Edwards (hamstring). . . . Linebacker Leon Williams said he will attend Monday's funeral for his former University of Miami teammate Sean Taylor. The Washington Redskins safety was shot and killed in an apparent burglary Monday. Tight end Kellen Winslow said he might attend, too.