How's this for a reversal of fortunes? Jamal Lewis is set to bounce off of would-be tacklers for the Browns instead of bouncing would-be tacklers who play for the Browns.
The Browns signed Lewis to a one-year deal Wednesday night, bringing the veteran power back to the team that he set the NFL single-game record of 295 yards rushing against in 2003.
The Ravens released Lewis in a salary-cap move just prior to the start of free agency.
His 314 carries for 1,132 yards last fall were the most since the record-setting 2003 season that gave him the NFL rushing title. That year, he rushed for 2,066 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Lewis, who turns 28 just prior to the start of the 2008 season, has seven NFL seasons under his belt. His emergence as a rookie in 2000 helped the Ravens win the Super Bowl, but he suffered a torn ACL in training camp the following summer and missed the season.
He's rushed for more than 1,000 yards in four of five seasons since, missing the mark only in 2005 when he had 906. For his career, he has 1,822 rushes for 7,801 yards and 45 touchdowns.
He has six career 100-yard games against the Browns, four of 170 yards or more.
"We are pleased to add Jamal Lewis to our team," Browns Senior Vice President and General Manager, Phil Savage said. "He is a proven NFL back who brings a toughness and demeanor to the game that his teammates and our fans will appreciate."
The addition of Lewis and Eric Steinbach in free agency dramatically changes the look of the Browns' offense and reflects at least a mild change in the look of the AFC North Division as a whole. Lewis is a 5-foot-11, 245-pound battering ram, and the Browns plan to put a rugged offensive line in front of him.
Savage was with the Ravens when they drafted Lewis in the first round in 2000. Lewis becomes the third high-profile former Raven to sign with the Browns under Savage's watch, joining Gary Baxter (2005) and Dave Zastudil (last season).
