Professor

link:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns


Ravens elect not to give franchise tag to Jamal Lewis

February 22, 2006

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -- The Baltimore Ravens have decided not to protect Jamal Lewis from free agency, but have not ruled out the possibility of signing the one-time 2,000-yard rusher to a long-term contract.

Lewis, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2003, when he rushed for 2,066 yards, slumped to a career-low 906 yards this season following a four-month sentence in a Florida federal prison and two months in a halfway house for a cocaine conspiracy plea bargain. He also underwent surgery on his right ankle.


The Ravens would have had to assign a one-year, $6 million franchise tender to retain Lewis. Not doing so means they are likely to look over the veteran running back market while evaluating potential rookie running backs such as USC's LenDale White and Memphis' DeAngelo Williams. The Ravens have the 13th overall pick in the draft.

Chester Taylor, Lewis' backup, is likely to become a free agent.

"We will still consider the possibility of talking to Jamal about a long-term contract with us," said Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, who drafted Lewis fifth overall out of Tennessee in 2000.

Lewis could join an already crowded running back market that could include NFL MVP Shaun Alexander of Seattle; Indianapolis' Edgerrin James and Carolina's DeShaun Foster.

"I've spoken with Jamal and his agent today to let them know."

Lewis' agent Mitch Frankel had no immediate comment.

Lewis' total in 2003 was the second-highest total in league history. However, his production has declined each year since then while dealing with legal turmoil and injuries. In 2004, Lewis rushed for 1,006 yards. This season, Lewis averaged a career-low 3.4 yards per carry and scored a career-low three touchdowns. He rushed for 100 yards only twice this year.



Updated on Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006 3:49 pm EST

bigboy

Has to be a good move IMO he already basically shown them that he won't play if there's no money there and he totally sucked last year. They have to explore other options and if I was them I would make Taylor the man...

stormdriver

That seems to be what they're doing. At least now no teams will be hungry for RBs next year..

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Jayhawk_Colin

i think that lewis would be a waste of money, they as shoul the seahawks go after domonick davis4, the ravs have an edge over the because they pick higher

stormdriver

I would expect them to stay with Taylor for now. They need to start looking for a replacement for the "other" Lewis...

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bigboy

Davis is good and all but from what I'm reading he's being WAY overrated IMO....the guys has been injured every year and they keep getting worse, plus IF they do pick Bush they would want Davis around this year as a safety net.

Overall I think they have to go with Taylor and Musa and maybe draft one.

Professor

taylor is wayyyy overrated and I know the ravens will draft either white or williams

bigboy

How is he overrated at all?

Professor

just about the way people like you are talking him up, like he is walter payton or something

bigboy

From what I have seen there's been 2 people that said he would be an alright fit, if that's what it takes to make someone overrated then you have about a million overrated players. Nothing even close to Payton but IMO 1,000 yards and 8-10 total TD's to go along with 40 catches and a new dimension to the offense in B-More.