Professor

Baltimore's running game was not only the line it was the FB lead blocking, and he hasn't had a healthy FB in a couple of years. He also ran tentative at times to not get hurt for when he left Baltimore. A lot of what goes on behind the scenes and off the field has a direct impact on what transpires during the games.

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gruntbygod

But it hasnt effected so many others. I dont buy that theory on Lewis. I think he got worn down carrying that offence so much early in his career. I dont buy any of the "tentative" stuff either. If thats true, than he is a complete waste. Haveing terrible years will hurt your chance of getting signed as much as getting hurt.

Thats why he wound up in Cleveland and not a decent team. And good luck to him playing for his next deal facing 8 in the box every time he touches the ball with the Brown. It wouldnt surprise me if he gets less than 3.5 a carry again this year

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Professor

well he should at least be used to 8 in the box, LOL. He had 3 kind of heavy years in his first 4 with the 2000 year being the only real heavy year, but only has been in the league for 7 years and was hurt for one. He gets a bad rap a bit for a team that couldn't pass the ball even in the year he went for 2000 and aside from the 2000 year he has never had more than 314 carries in a season (last season), which is less than 20 a game, doesn't sound like a guy who was overworked

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gruntbygod

But his yards per carry makes him sound like a back thats done

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Professor

I think it is deceptive, considering all of the extenuating circumstances that factored in. I think he could be done, but he is young enough and not been used too much to where a return to form is completely out of the question. C-Mart didn't lead the league in rushing until he was what 30,31? I wouldn't draft him high of even ahead of Willis, because we all know that most successful fantasy running backs have a good-average oline and a stable QB situation, something the Browns do not have, but he is not ancient.

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Ravens52

Lewis was terrible. It wasn't the O line!!! Most Ravens fans know of Lewis' stutterstep to the hole. That was why he was crappy. When there was a hole, he would stutterstep instead of bash through.

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"You can't win 'em all, if you don't win the first"
-- John Madden

BeastJacobs

Lewis tried to use some elusive moves when he has tree trunk thighs and should be plowing through everyone. That was his issue. I'll agree that they've got some issues with blocking but, really he was too hesitant going into the hole. The only other people I've seen hesitate towards the hole and get good gains in this era is Shaun Alexander and Tiki Barber. Both were miles ahead of Lewis, Shaun Alexander would keep his blockers infront of him and use them to make a cut and then explode with his speed. Tiki would stay low to the ground and then slip through a hole and explode using his speed.

What Jamal Lewis should have done. Spot a hole, with his good O-line. Lower the shoulder and run right into it and keep your legs chopping. Hell I saw Brian Leonard doing that last night against the Chargers Defense.

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Professor

the king of the stutter step was Ricky Waters, hands down, That guy pissed me off, LOL.

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gruntbygod

I dont buy Lewis's excuses. He had a good one a few years ago when he spent his offseason in Jail, but thats the only thing I will give him a pass for.

Corey Dillion tore up the league when he had so may team issues going on, including a terrible O-Line, and QB

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Professor

and he did that when he went for 2000, after that he lost respect for his team and coaches, he knew that he could make cream based on his age and the 2000 yard year. It was pretty well documented.

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