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By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 06:28 p.m. EDT, Aug 24, 2009
The Browns could have a couple of very interesting decisions in the near future.
One is at quarterback. Which we all pretty much know about.
The other, though, is at running back where rookie James Davis might be making a push to unseat Jamal Lewis.
Far-fetched? Perhaps.
But a certain team that makes its living running the ball extremely well in the shade of the Rocky Mountains has had great success with late-round running backs.
Lewis has been a bit of an enigma since he had such a standout season for the Browns in 2007.
He reported to camp in 2008 looking fitter, trimmer and quicker.
Then he had a bust of a 2008, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry and barely gaining 1,000 yards. The general thinking was that Lewis' season went south with the team's, that there was little blocking and less room to run.
But Saturday, he looked a little tentative and decidedly unquick. On one play, he fell over himself as he jitterbugged to make a move.
Davis looked quick, decisive and aggressive.
It'd be nice to say Davis played against backups, but against the Lions, everyone faced backups.
Lewis is a pro's pro, the kind of guy a team needs. His example and work ethic alone are good for younger players.
In that regard, it's hard to see the Browns letting him go in favor of an unproven rookie.
But if the Browns want to use Jerome Harrison as a change of pace and if Davis makes the team, then the Browns would have three backs on the roster.
It would be a gutsy move to keep Davis and cut Lewis, but it's the kind of move a new regime makes.
Do I expect it to happen? No.
The cap hit alone might prevent it.
And Harrison has spent the past two weeks riding a bike at practice.
But it will be interesting to watch how things develop.
• If Derek Anderson repeats his performance of Saturday night against a very good Tennessee Titans defense this weekend — a much tougher test — he might well earn the starting job.
The one consistent fact I've been told is that the new coaching staff was impressed with Anderson from the first day they started looking at film.
• LeBron James brought the movie More Than A Game to Akron last week, and it is very much worth seeing.
This is an Akron story and an Akron production by Akron people.
Akron's Kristopher Belman directed and produced the documentary about the St. Vincent-St. Mary basketball team in the days of James, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, Sian Cotton and Romeo Travis.
It includes disappointment and triumph from a story many already know well.
The winner of the film: Dru Joyce II, whose calm coaching demeanor was very striking. No rants, no screams. Just plain, honest truth.
• Can't help thinking that Akron coach Keith Dambrot deserved better in the film. Dambrot left St. V-M after two years, and the players complained about it, but what was not included is that the same players now have great fondness for Dambrot.
McGee even will be an Akron graduate assistant this year.
• During a Q-and-A after the movie, a 17-year-old named Mike asked James: ''About that sweater . . . did you lose a bet to wear that tonight?''
James started to fire back, but said he couldn't until ''Mike'' reached the age of 21.
• How in the world can a team and an owner and a league spend $1 billion on a stadium in Dallas and not ensure the video board will not affect punts?
The word, I believe is ''hubris.''
• What do fish in aquariums think about all day?
• These are the things that make me wonder.
• Awhile back, I guessed that Anderson Varejao's contract was worth about $38 million for five years after it had been ballyhooed as a $50 million deal.
Well the numbers are out, and Varejao will make $6.3 million, $7 million, $7.7 million, $8.4 million and $9.1 million the first five years. That adds up to $38.3 million.
In the final year, $4 million is guaranteed — making the deal worth a minimum $42.3 million.
• Salaries are always interesting. Tracy McGrady right now is due to be the NBA's highest-paid player in 2009-10 — at $23.239 million. Kobe Bryant is second ($23.034 million). Third? Jermaine O'Neal at $22.996 million.
• The Cavs' team payroll is at $79.975 million — which puts them way over the luxury-tax level of $69.9 million.
• How long do the Indians keep waiting for Travis Hafner?
Heading into Monday's game, Hafner had 25 strikeouts in 27 games after the All-Star break (compared to 25 in 41 games prior).
He's hitting .259 with three home runs, eight walks and 25 strikeouts since the break.
• The Indians are due to pay Hafner $11.5 million, $13 million and $13 million in 2010, '11 and '12. That might be the answer to how long they wait.
• Hafner, Jake Westbrook ($11 million) and Kerry Wood ($10.5 million) are due a combined $33 million next season.
• Andy Marte since he was called up (again before Monday): .241, no home runs, six walks and 13 strikeouts in 54 at-bats.
• That Lions game was a very nice pick-me-up for the Browns, but the Titans should provide a much tougher and more realistic challenge.
• Heard Brady Quinn say on WTAM (1100-AM) after the game that the team had strong practices after the bad game in Green Bay. Interesting, because the practices were so bad that Eric Mangini lit into the team publicly.
Last Monday and Tuesday could have been the worst practice days for the Browns since 1999.
• See what a win does for you. It magically turns bad practices into good.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohio.com/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon.
The Browns could have a couple of very interesting decisions in the near future.
One is at quarterback. Which we all pretty much know about.
The other, though, is at running back where rookie James Davis might be making a push to unseat Jamal Lewis.
Far-fetched? Perhaps.
But a certain team that makes its living running the ball extremely well in the shade of the Rocky Mountains has had great success with late-round running backs.
Lewis has been a bit of an enigma since he had such a standout season for the Browns in 2007.
He reported to camp in 2008 looking fitter, trimmer and quicker.
Then he had a bust of a 2008, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry and barely gaining 1,000 yards. The general thinking was that Lewis' season went south with the team's, that there was little blocking and less room to run.
But Saturday, he looked a little tentative and decidedly unquick. On one play, he fell over himself as he jitterbugged to make a move.
Davis looked quick, decisive and aggressive.
It'd be nice to say Davis played against backups, but against the Lions, everyone faced backups.
Lewis is a pro's pro, the kind of guy a team needs. His example and work ethic alone are good for younger players.
In that regard, it's hard to see the Browns letting him go in favor of an unproven rookie.
But if the Browns want to use Jerome Harrison as a change of pace and if Davis makes the team, then the Browns would have three backs on the roster.
It would be a gutsy move to keep Davis and cut Lewis, but it's the kind of move a new regime makes.
Do I expect it to happen? No.
The cap hit alone might prevent it.
And Harrison has spent the past two weeks riding a bike at practice.
But it will be interesting to watch how things develop.
• If Derek Anderson repeats his performance of Saturday night against a very good Tennessee Titans defense this weekend — a much tougher test — he might well earn the starting job.
The one consistent fact I've been told is that the new coaching staff was impressed with Anderson from the first day they started looking at film.
• LeBron James brought the movie More Than A Game to Akron last week, and it is very much worth seeing.
This is an Akron story and an Akron production by Akron people.
Akron's Kristopher Belman directed and produced the documentary about the St. Vincent-St. Mary basketball team in the days of James, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, Sian Cotton and Romeo Travis.
It includes disappointment and triumph from a story many already know well.
The winner of the film: Dru Joyce II, whose calm coaching demeanor was very striking. No rants, no screams. Just plain, honest truth.
• Can't help thinking that Akron coach Keith Dambrot deserved better in the film. Dambrot left St. V-M after two years, and the players complained about it, but what was not included is that the same players now have great fondness for Dambrot.
McGee even will be an Akron graduate assistant this year.
• During a Q-and-A after the movie, a 17-year-old named Mike asked James: ''About that sweater . . . did you lose a bet to wear that tonight?''
James started to fire back, but said he couldn't until ''Mike'' reached the age of 21.
• How in the world can a team and an owner and a league spend $1 billion on a stadium in Dallas and not ensure the video board will not affect punts?
The word, I believe is ''hubris.''
• What do fish in aquariums think about all day?
• These are the things that make me wonder.
• Awhile back, I guessed that Anderson Varejao's contract was worth about $38 million for five years after it had been ballyhooed as a $50 million deal.
Well the numbers are out, and Varejao will make $6.3 million, $7 million, $7.7 million, $8.4 million and $9.1 million the first five years. That adds up to $38.3 million.
In the final year, $4 million is guaranteed — making the deal worth a minimum $42.3 million.
• Salaries are always interesting. Tracy McGrady right now is due to be the NBA's highest-paid player in 2009-10 — at $23.239 million. Kobe Bryant is second ($23.034 million). Third? Jermaine O'Neal at $22.996 million.
• The Cavs' team payroll is at $79.975 million — which puts them way over the luxury-tax level of $69.9 million.
• How long do the Indians keep waiting for Travis Hafner?
Heading into Monday's game, Hafner had 25 strikeouts in 27 games after the All-Star break (compared to 25 in 41 games prior).
He's hitting .259 with three home runs, eight walks and 25 strikeouts since the break.
• The Indians are due to pay Hafner $11.5 million, $13 million and $13 million in 2010, '11 and '12. That might be the answer to how long they wait.
• Hafner, Jake Westbrook ($11 million) and Kerry Wood ($10.5 million) are due a combined $33 million next season.
• Andy Marte since he was called up (again before Monday): .241, no home runs, six walks and 13 strikeouts in 54 at-bats.
• That Lions game was a very nice pick-me-up for the Browns, but the Titans should provide a much tougher and more realistic challenge.
• Heard Brady Quinn say on WTAM (1100-AM) after the game that the team had strong practices after the bad game in Green Bay. Interesting, because the practices were so bad that Eric Mangini lit into the team publicly.
Last Monday and Tuesday could have been the worst practice days for the Browns since 1999.
• See what a win does for you. It magically turns bad practices into good.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohio.com/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon.
Comments
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Posted 09:24 PM, 08/24/2009
A running back controversy is probably the best thing that can happen to a team. That means you are loaded with real good running backs. A running back is someone that doesn't need to play every play like the quarterback and can be switched in and out with fresh legs. I like that! James Davis is going to help the Browns. Go Browns!
Bethesda, MD
Posted 07:22 AM, 08/25/2009
let's hope so.
Posted 07:36 AM, 08/25/2009
Just another attempt from the Media to spark debates and problems in the clubhouse.
You ever notice how some trades in pro sports only happen because some person at ESPN thought it would be a good juicy topic.
I can't say what the Browns will do about Jamal Lewis, but i have confidence that he'll be around the this year for leadership and knowledge.
Mangini likes player/coaches such as Lewis. It make Mangini's jobs a little easier when it comes to motivating and teaching his young players.
I should've laid a bet in Vegas that Patrick would've written this article.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:07 AM, 08/25/2009
Lewis is finished and while I don't think Davis is the long term answer (how would Beanie look in orange) he will "give the team the best chance to win" in the words of a famous american.
Cuyahoga Falls, Oh
Posted 08:20 AM, 08/25/2009
Having a running back controversy certainly DOES NOT mean you are loaded with talent. It usually means you have several guys that arent worthy of starting. Thats the problem the browns have at QB. Its not a competetion because they are both great. Its a competetion because they ar eboth average at best and someone has to start. Its the same at RB except we dont know much about Davis yet. Hopefully he'll be a stud because Im sick of watching 240lb Lewis scamper around like a scat back.
akron, oh
Posted 11:32 AM, 08/25/2009
It seems Pat Mac likes to stir up trouble. Davis has looked up to lewis ever since high school. Lewis has been mentoring Davis Since high school. The Browns picked Davis because of Lewis' faith in the kid. Jamal would be coaching this kid, even if the Browns had not drafted him. NO CONTROVERSY HERE!
allentown, pa
Posted 11:45 AM, 08/25/2009
How about trading Jamal Lewis, Edwards,and next years 2nd round pick to the Giants for Steve Smith, and Bradshaw? It would help our running game and possesion passing game.
akron, OH
Posted 12:36 PM, 08/25/2009
came from the same highschool davis broke all of lewis records
Akron, Oh
Posted 02:20 PM, 08/25/2009
THE BROWNS SEASON IS ALREADY OVER NO PLAYOFFS FOR CLEVELAND SORRY FOLKS...............................
Posted 09:00 PM, 08/25/2009
Switch them in and out.
Part of blame for Jamal Lewis' lack of production last year definitely lies with the O-Line. They don't give him big holes usually, and that's what he needs for his running style to really be effective. James Davis can bounce it outside, and so he can be fine in those situations.
Posted 05:28 AM, 08/26/2009
No controversy here. Remember the days when he played for the rat birds and ran all over Cleveland? He had one fumble in 279 carries last year. Scored 4 tds. despite injury ridden offensive line and poor blocking. Lewis was often on sidelines watching the "come from behind" offense frivolous passing game.Scored 9 tds.in 2007 when given the opportunity and offense could reach the "red zone" with a healthy line. Given the opportunity and good blocking he will be more productive this year.
Posted 08:31 AM, 08/26/2009
thats funny that they have such crappy runningbacks and they say there is a controversy...hahahahahahahaha another long year for you browns fans,,,
Springfield, Or
Posted 06:08 PM, 08/30/2009
I can't beleave some of the things I have read on here and you people call your self fans
GO BROWNS
