Lewis wants to go out with wins

11.04.2009

Jamal Lewis maintains that his run -- it's at 2,497 runs and counting -- is nine weeks from coming to an end.

And a guy who's always been much more about substance than flash wants nothing more than to go out doing what he's always tried to do: Win games.

Speaking Wednesday before the Browns' final practice of the bye week, Lewis sounded convinced that his 10^th NFL season will be his last. He also sounded focused on making the most of what's left.

"I want to go out fighting, winning and to just know that when I'm sitting at home next year, I can be able to see this team start off where we left off," he said. "And hopefully that's winning."

Lewis has battled through injury the last two seasons after going for 1,304 yards and helping the Browns to 10 wins in 2007, his first year with the team. He went over 1,000 again last year in tough circumstances, making it eight times in his nine seasons that he's crossed the four-digit marker.

Though he's in the 10,000 yard club for his career and has the credentials to at least merit strong Hall of Fame consideration, Lewis said that's not something he thinks about. As for his legacy, his approach there is a simple and straightforward as his running style.

And he's ground out a lot of yards using that style.

"I just want to be remembered as a hard worker," he said. "That's it. A hard worker. I brought my hard hat every time I stepped on the field and that's it."

Lewis was especially hard on the Browns when he was with the Ravens. He went for 500 yards in two games against the Browns in 2003 as part of his record-shattering, 2,066-yard season, the second-best season by a runner in NFL history.

A team captain this season, Lewis said he has no regrets about picking the Browns to finish his career and is spending this week making sure his young teammates know there's plenty of work to be done as the Browns try to turn things around.

"I'm glad I came here," he said. "I got a chance to play with some good players. I came here really because of Phil Savage and because of our relationship. He knew what I could do and I think we started off great.

"At the same time, things go certain ways and unfortunately (the record) went the other way. But what can you do? You got to keep on moving, keep fighting. There's a lot of young guys around here and my thing is to instill in them some of the things I learned in the past that taught me when I first came in this league. And I think with some of the young guys around here, they listen and they follow and I think it's going to be a great group in the future.

"I approach (the eight remaining games) the same way I've approached them every other season. I'm a hard worker. I want to win. I want to go out there and do my best."

Lewis maintains that nothing - not even the Browns turning things around and running the table - can change his mind. For now, though, it's practice, improvement and preparation for one last crack at the bullies in purple and black.

"If we go win eight in a row," he said, "it would mean that I have done my part."

Like he's been doing all along.