The Cleveland Browns have placed Jamal Lewis on the Injured Reserve list, effectively ending his career.
I continue to hope that Lewis will quickly have a place in the Ravens Ring of Honor.
Was there anything better than watching Lewis in his prime just beat-up defenders during the course of a game?
While the Super Bowl team obviously is credited for the defense, it should be remembered that the Ravens also had the combined rushing attack of Lewis, and Priest Holmes.
If Lewis did not miss all of the following season, I believe that team would have had an excellent chance to repeat. It also would have been interesting to see if Grbac’s legacy would have turned out different.
One thing I never understood about Lewis’ career was his receiving out of the backfield. After missing his second-season, Lewis had 47 receptions during the 2002-3 season. For the remainder of his career, he never had more than 32 receptions in a year. I always felt that he could have had further shelf life as a weapon if some of his carries had been shifted to receptions.
I understand running-backs only have so much tread on their tires, and that his punishing physical style had repercussions. Still, I think he could have had more to give if things had worked out differently. When he went to jail in February 2005, he was never able to correctly rehab his injury. While he always had a bit of a stutter-step, his dancing at the line was much more pronounced when he came back. At a minimum, he should have been able to emulate Jerome Bettis at the end of his career. A big back, capable of getting short-yardage, and at the goal-line. On the other-hand, his fumbling was part of the reason that never evolved.
All in all, Lewis is one of my favorite players of all-time. If there is anything that disappointed me about his career, it is that I thought he could have been more loyal to Brian Billick. When Lewis was in jail, Billick was there at the jail visiting him. At least publicly it appeared that Lewis did not give him the same support.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.