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Home > Blogs > Dawging the Browns > Archives > 2008 > February
February 2008
Signing Lewis an easy call
A 4-year-old could have decided it made sense for the Browns to sign running back Jamal Lewis before another team got a crack at him.
So it’s heartening that GM Phil Savage was able to come to that rather obvious conclusion, getting Lewis’ signature on a three-year deal Thursday, about a week before he became a free agent.
The Browns wanted a two-year contract, but after Lewis rushed for more yards last season than any player in franchise history other than Jim Brown, they weren’t going to get that lucky.
So they went to three years, probably suspecting that’s what it would take all along. Is it a gamble? Maybe, but some gambles are worth taking and Lewis showed last season that he wasn’t an “old 28” as many of his Baltimore critics would have had you believe.
Give Savage credit for knowing that a “hungry Jamal,” as he said, would be “a good Jamal.”
What surprised the Browns most, however, was how Lewis became a leader in the locker room, quietly taking younger guys aside and letting them know how NFL life works and what’s expected.
And he was consistently terrific with the media, not that that means anything in the overall scope of things.
But the best reason to give Lewis what he wanted is this: Alternatives are few at this point. Jason Wright is a nice backup, but nobody thinks he can carry the full load. Jerome Harrison is promising, but he rarely saw the field.
Running backs are a dime a dozen. You can find a Ryan Grant on the scrap heap, as the Green Bay Packers did last season. But proven talents and future Hall of Famers like Lewis are worth their weight in gold.
Browns, Lewis happy together
The Cleveland Browns confirmed it this afternoon. They have agreed to terms on a three-year contract with RB Jamal Lewis through the 2010 season.
“I am thankful to the Browns for the opportunity they gave me last year to come out and prove that I was still one of the top running backs in the NFL,” said Lewis. “I feel the future is extremely bright for this team and I’m excited to be a part of it for another three years.
“I said all year long that I wanted to get a long-term deal done to stay in Cleveland and it looks like with this new contract I will be able to finish my career as a Brown.”
Lewis, 28, had 298 carries for 1,304 yards (4.4 avg.) and nine rushing touchdowns last season and added 30 receptions for 248 yards (8.3 avg.) and two receiving touchdowns. His 1,304 yards rushing ranked seventh best in franchise history and his 298 attempts ranked third in team annals.
“The Browns are pleased that Jamal has decided to continue his career here in Cleveland,” said GM Phil Savage, who is hanging out at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
“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-plus career yards in 2008, which will put him in elite company.”
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Three-year deal for Lewis
According to reports, the Browns have reached agreement with running back Jamal Lewis on a three-year contract.
Just in the nick of time, it seems, as Lewis was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next week.
To get the deal done, the Associated Press says the Browns have “relented” and added a third year to their initial two-year offer.
Lewis, who will be 29 in August, did have some leverage after reviving his career by rushing for 1,304 yards last season and scoring nine touchdowns.
He was working on a one-year deal signed after seven seasons in Baltimore.
Lewis was just the Browns’ second 1,000-yard rusher since 1985 and his rushing yards were the most in one season by any Cleveland running back in franchise history not named Jim Brown.
Yes, the investment seems worthwhile, especially when you consider there isn’t a backup running back of any stature waiting in the wings. And Lewis, one could argue, was as valuable as any member of the Browns’ resurgent offense last season.
Now the Browns will turn their attention to getting a deal done with quarterback Derek Anderson, who can become a restricted free agent next week.
GM Phil Savage, appearing on a Cleveland radio station Thursday morning from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, seemed optimistic about reaching agreement with Anderson soon.
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Savage: Lewis deal about done
General Manager Phil Savage said on WTAM-AM radio in Cleveland this morning that a contract with Browns running back Jamal Lewis is close to getting done.
Savage is in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine, along with head coach Romeo Crennel.
Savage said the Lewis deal could be done within the next 24 hours. It is believed to be a two-year deal with an option for a third. Not clear if that would be a club or player option.
Lewis, who revived his career by rushing for 1,304 yards last season, his first with the Browns, can become a free agent next week if he doesn’t sign. Getting him back in the fold has been an offseason priority, along with signing quarterback Derek Anderson.
Savage told the radio station he expects to meet today in Indianapolis with Anderson’s people and remains optimistic a deal will be struck before free agency starts.
Anderson, coming off a year in which he threw 29 touchdown passes in his first season as a starter, can be a restricted free agent if nothing gets done.
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NFL rules against ‘48 Browns
In case you were waiting breathlessly, the NFL has ruled that the 1948 Browns, who went 15-0 in the old All-America Football Conference, will not be finding their way into the official records.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown had petitioned the NFL to include the records from the Browns’ four championship seasons in the AAFC from 1946-49.
The ‘72 Dolphins thus remain the only sanctioned undefeated team in NFL history.
Why can’t the Browns be included? Well, the (Cleveland) Plain Dealer quoted an NFL spokeman who said that going undefeated and untied was “a sterling achievement,” but “it was not achieved in the NFL nor against NFL teams, nor in a league which became in its entirety part of the NFL.
“As such, our historians believe it is appropriate that it not be part of the official NFL records.”
Sounds fairly logical.
Nice try by Senator Brown, who now can go back to worrying about the mortgage crisis or whatever else he’s supposed to be doing in Washington.
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Your Pro Bowl scorecard
In case you’ve forgotten what qualifies six Browns for the Pro Bowl on Sunday, here’s a scorecard:
DEREK ANDERSON, quarterback: Threw for 3,787 yards with 29 TDs and 19 interceptions for a 82.5 QB rating. TDs were one short of tying Brian Sipe’s franchise record set in 1980. Went 10-5 as a starter. Offense ranked eighth in NFL with 25.1 points per game. Total points (402) and net yards (5,621) were third best in franchise history.
JOSHUA CRIBBS, kick returner: Returned 59 kickoffs for 1,809 yards (30.7 avg.) and two TDs. Returned 30 punts for 405 yards (13.5 avg.) and one TD. First NFL player to average at least 30 yards on kickoffs and 10 on punts since Terry Metcalf in 1974. Also led the team with 23 special teams tackles.
BRAYLON EDWARDS, wide receiver: Caught 80 passes for 1,289 yards (16.1 avg.) and 16 TDs, which was second in the league. Set franchise single-season records for receiving yards (1,289) and TD receptions.
RYAN PONTBRIAND, long snapper: Assisted kicker Phil Dawson to a career-best 120 points, which tied for second-highest in franchise history. In the blizzard game against Buffalo, every one of his snaps was perfect despite howling winds, winning him some national attention.
JOE THOMAS, offensive tackle: The rookie from Wisconsin started all 16 games at left tackle. Part of an offensive line that allowed only 19 sacks, tied for third fewest in the NFL and also tied for third fewest in franchise history. Never missed a play and did not allow a sack.
KELLEN WINSLOW, tight end: Caught 82 passes for 1,106 yards and five TDs. Yardage set team record for his position.
Six headed to Hawaii
QB Derek Anderson and TE Kellen Winslow were added to the Pro Bowl as injury replacements Monday, bringing to six the number of Browns who will represent the AFC in Hawaii this week.
Anderson and Winslow replace Tom Brady and Antonio Gates, respectively, and join teammates Braylon Edwards, Joshua Cribbs, Ryan Pontbriand and Joe Thomas in paradise.
“We’re excited the Browns will have such a presence at the Pro Bowl this year,” GM Phil Savage said. “Kellen (Winslow) has overcome so much in the past two years and is a real catalyst for our team. Derek (Anderson) became the starter under difficult conditions after week one and led us to 10 wins and a 7-0 home record. Both will grow from this experience in Hawaii.”
Anderson was 10-5 as a starter and completed 298-of-527 passing for 3,787 yards with 29 touchdowns and 19 interceptions for a 82.5 quarterback rating. He finished the season tied for second in franchise history with 29 passing touchdowns, fifth in attempts (527), fifth in passing yards (3,787) and sixth in completions (298).
Winslow, who talked last week about having knee surgery but was waiting to see whether Gates would back out, led the Browns with 82 receptions and ranked second on the club with 1,106 yards receiving and five touchdowns. His 1,106 yards receiving are the most by a Browns tight end in franchise history and third overall in franchise annals.
This is the most Browns in the Pro Bowl since six made it following the 1994 season: Rob Burnett, Leroy Hoard, Pepper Johnson, Eric Metcalf, Michael Dean Perry and Eric Turner.
The team record is eight, last accomplished after the 1987 season. Anderson is the first Cleveland QB named since Bernie Kosar that year.
And next year’s favorite is …
Stumbled across next year’s odds to win the Super Bowl. According to bodoglife.com, the Browns are 40-to-1, which puts them about middle of the pack. Last year at this time: 100-to-1.
Here’s the full list:
New England Patriots 4/1
San Diego Chargers 6/1
Indianapolis Colts 8/1
Dallas Cowboys 10/1
New York Giants 10/1
Green Bay Packers 15/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 15/1
New Orleans Saints 25/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 25/1
Cincinnati Bengals 30/1
Philadelphia Eagles 30/1
Seattle Seahawks 30/1
Tennessee Titans 30/1
Denver Broncos 33/1
Chicago Bears 35/1
Minnesota Vikings 35/1
Cleveland Browns 40/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 40/1
Washington Redskins 40/1
Arizona Cardinals 45/1
Carolina Panthers 45/1
Baltimore Ravens 50/1
Detroit Lions 50/1
St.Louis Rams 60/1
San Francisco 49ers 65/1
Houston Texans 70/1
Buffalo Bills 80/1
New York Jets 80/1
Atlanta Falcons 100/1
Kansas City Chiefs 100/1
Miami Dolphins 100/1
Oakland Raiders 100/1
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Where was he when they moved?
Maybe he’s angling for the elderly football fan vote.
That was my first guess as to why Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown wrote a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell asking that the statistics from the All-America Football Conference be included in the NFL record book.
Aren’t we still at war? Isn’t the economy tanking? Doesn’t this guy have anything better to do than fire off missives to sports czars about leagues that folded six decades ago?
On closer inspection, however, maybe there’s some merit to this effort.
The 1948 Browns finished 15-0 and won the AAFC championship. But you won’t hear them discussed on the Super Bowl telecast as being among the undefeated teams in NFL history.
Because, for reasons never completely explained, AAFC records were not incorporated into the NFL record book in 1950 when the Browns and two other teams were admitted to the league.
So, as unbeatens go, the NFL only recognizes the ‘72 Dolphins.
“It was agreed upon at that time not to include AAFC records,” Joe Horrigan of the Pro Football Hall of Fame told The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer. “Whereas, when the NFL merged with the American Football League and took all (10) of its teams, the agreement included bringing along AFL records.”
To say the Browns dominated the AAFC would be the understatement of a lifetime. Paul Brown’s teams won all four available championships from 1946-49. They had an unbeaten streak of 29 games with a roster teeming with future Hall of Famers.
But it’s going to be tough to russle up much support from Goodell, who truly does have better things to worry about, what with Pacman Jones in strip-club trouble again, a void in Los Angeles where an NFL team used to be, the mighty Patriots being cheaters, etc.
And if he even considers this for one minute, Goodell probably will decide the accuracy of AAFC records is open to question. The Browns don’t list individual stats in their media guide for any of those years. Every other year, yes. Not those.
As for Sherrod Brown, where was he — not to mention all the other politicians — when the Browns left town on Art Modell’s magic carpet? Nice effort here, I guess, but perhaps more was needed back then.
D.A. to the Ravens?
The only thing to conclude from the Browns’ initial contract offer to quarterback Derek Anderson is that they are not willing to make him the long-term face of the franchise.
That’s good news if you’re a store with No. 10 Brady Quinn jerseys in the window.
The Browns reportedly are offering Anderson a three-year deal worth between $15-20 million, which isn’t going to get it done.
Does Anderson deserve Tony Romo money (six years, $67.5 million, $30 million guaranteed? Don’t be ridiculous. Not after one good season.
But these low-ball tactics are not the way to go, either, if you intend to keep the guy.
The Browns’ offer might come up, but probably not to any degree that will entice Anderson to commit for more than one season. So, do they step up efforts to trade him or do they let him become a restricted free agent and wait and see what happens?
Worst-case scenario? Anderson ends up in Baltimore, where his career began. The Ravens’ new offensive coordinator is Cam Cameron, who tutored Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski when both were with the Chargers.
You saw how Anderson excelled in that system, falling one short of Brian Sipe’s team record (30) for TD passes in one season. The Ravens need a quarterback. Could be a good fit if Anderson suddenly needs a team.
