INDIANAPOLIS -- The Browns reached one of the their most important offseason goals Thursday, finalizing a new three-year contract for running back Jamal Lewis.
"The Browns are pleased that Jamal has decided to continue his career here in Cleveland," said Phil Savage, Cleveland Browns Senior Vice President and General Manager. "He brings a maturity, toughness and football temperament to the team that is critical to our success on top of the physical abilities that he possesses. Plus, he'll have the opportunity to go over 10,000+ career yards in 2008, which will put him in elite company."
Working on a one-year deal in his first year with the team last year, Lewis proved to be a solid fit in Rob Chudzinski's new offense and a valuable veteran addition to a young locker room. He rushed for 1,304 yards and 9 touchdowns as the team's feature back, highlighted by a 216-yard day in the Browns' home win over the Bengals. He also scored twice and totaled 156 yards against his former team as the Browns swept the Ravens for the first time since 2001.
"One of the important things for any football team, and any offense, is continuity, and re-signing Jamal allows us to have some of that continuity," said Chudzinski. "I'm excited about having him back. We asked him last year to do some things that maybe he hadn't done much of before, such as running outside, or hadn't done for a long time, and he embraced it. He did everything we asked him to do. His numbers tell you that he was one of the top runners in the league, but he was just as good when it came to being a good influence in our locker room."
Lewis, who will turn 29 just before the start of the 2008 season, was especially good in December. He went over 100 yards in three of the Browns' last four games, sealed the Jets' win with a late breakaway touchdown and ground out 163 yards in a blizzard in the Browns' 8-0 win over the Bills.
Browns personnel began arriving in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine Wednesday and Thursday. Savage and Romeo Crennel are expected to speak from the Combine on Friday. Stay tuned to ClevelandBrowns.com for video of these availabilities, as well as more Combine coverage.
