Jamal Lewis: Back But Not Happy

Jamal Lewis: Back But Not Happy

The Baltimore Ravens took care of the Cleveland Browns last night defeating them 27-13 in front of a sellout home crowd. Despite the win, Jamal Lewis voiced major grievances about his role and utility in the offensive gameplan;

I feel like I'm one of, if not the, best running back in the league," Lewis said. "Out of all the backs in the league that is ranked where I'm at, they touch the ball 25, 30 times a game. I'd like to be called upon because I feel like I can make things happen. When we're weak in the passing game and weak anywhere else, I feel like we can run the football. We've been running the football for five years since I've been here. I just think we need to be called on a little bit more."

"I feel kind of held back a little bit...I didn't feel rusty."

"I went in one time and didn't touch the ball, not one time. It was three passing plays in a row. It's hard to establish the tempo with the offensive line and me to get back in the groove of things without me running it up in there."

(Asked if Lewis was fed up)

"Yeah, because we don't have to win like that" - Baltimore Sun

How Jamal Lewis figures he's in any position to run his mouth off is beyond me. How Jamal Lewis figures he can complain like that after a victory is even less comprehendible. And how Jamal Lewis can make these kinds of comments following a two-game drug suspension is just downright selfish and detestable. Jamal Lewis says he wasn't 'rusty' last night, and yet it was pretty clear that he was exactly that. He lost his first fumble of the year. He repeatedly took himself out of the game to catch his breath. In fact, I distinctly recall one particular offensive series where Jamal ran for 8 yards and a first down, and then signalled to the bench to be replaced because he needed a rest. His backup Chester Taylor came in and ran one play. Taylor then glanced to the sidelines looking for Lewis to signal for his return to the game, at which point Lewis held up his index finger to let Taylor know that he needed one more play to catch his wind. Does that sound like a guy who wasn't 'rusty'?

By all accounts Jamal Lewis is in no position to complain and he should shut-up and play as much or as little as the coaches deem it appropriate, and do it with a smile on his face and nothing less should be tolerated. As it is, not only has Lewis' off-field problems cost the team 2 games without his services, but he still faces an off-season where he will spend 6 months in jail. That's 6 months he won't be participating in the team's off-season conditioning program, and will likely cause him to miss the team's mini-camps and a portion of training camp as well. Jamal Lewis still doesn't 'get it'. One would hope that he would emerge from his personal adversity a more mature, humble athlete and team player. However, based on this post-game negative diatribe, what is abundantly clear is that Jamal Lewis is still a work in progress, rough around the edges, with much personal and professional growth and maturation work left to do.

With 22 carries, J. Lewis feels forgotten [Baltimore Sun] Photo: [AP]

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