http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/cleveland-browns-release-jamal-lewis-021710
<h3>BEREA, Ohio (AP)</h3>
<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/player/jamal-lewis/71031" target="_blank">Jamal
Lewis</a> was released by the <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/cleveland-browns/67042" target="_blank">Cleveland
Browns</a> on Wednesday, but hasn't given up hope of playing again in
the NFL.
Lewis was let go with one year remaining on his
contract. His season ended on Dec. 2 when he was placed on injured
reserve with post-concussion symptoms, but he doesn't want his career to
end with an injury.
First, he must be cleared to return.
"If
Jamal wants to play and he's cleared to play, I think he's got a lot of
football he can bring to the table to help an organization," Lewis'
agent, Mitch Frankel said. "He can be a significant contributor to the
right organization. <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/player/jerome-bettis/70584" target="_blank">Jerome
Bettis</a> and some other guys at the end of their careers took on a
different role, and I think Jamal can do that."
Lewis, 30, said
after the Browns' season finale that he was still suffering from
headaches and blurred vision as a result of the concussion, which he
sustained in the opener against
Minnesota.
Frankel said he wasn't sure if Lewis was still having the problems and
Lewis did not address them in a prepared statement, although he did
thank Browns fans and owner Randy Lerner.
"I plan to evaluate my
future and have not made a final determination on whether I will be
playing football next season," he said.
Lewis tried playing
through the symptoms for three months before finally getting examined.
He carried 143 times last year for 500 yards and has rushed for 10,067
yards in his career.
Lewis was one of the most outspoken veterans
against first-year coach Eric Mangini. He was critical of Mangini's
practice habits and felt the coach was working the players too hard.
Halfway through last season, Lewis said he would retire.
Now he
wants to join a contender if his body will let him.
"Jamal went
to the Browns with the hope he'd be successful and go to the playoffs
and beyond," Frankel said. "At this stage in his career, I think he
would want to play for a team that has a chance to compete and get back
to the Super Bowl like he did in 2000. That's not to say Cleveland can't
do that, but it would appear there are other teams out there that, as
of today, look a lot stronger."
Lewis' release leaves <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/player/jerome-harrison/401631" target="_blank">Jerome
Harrison</a> as Cleveland's apparent starter. Harrison rushed for 862
yards last season, but ended with a flurry. He rushed for 561 yards and
five touchdowns over the final three games - all wins - as Cleveland
closed the season by winning its final four.
"I enjoyed getting
to know Jamal and having the opportunity to coach him last season,"
Browns coach Eric Mangini said in a statement. "We want to thank him for
his contributions to the Cleveland Browns and wish him nothing but the
best moving forward. I'm sure he will be successful in whatever he
decides to pursue."
