By the end of last season, it appeared as though Jamal Lewis and the Ravens would part ways. Yet the demand for Jamal’s services as an unrestricted free agent wasn’t what he or his agent expected it to be and as we all know, Jamal has returned to the Ravens. On Tuesday he spoke about the return and there seemed to be a ray of optimism in the way Jamal spoke and carried himself. He seemed like a man whose troubles weren’t so far away yesterday, yet they are today.
It feels good to be back with the team and going through the workouts and everything and just being here this time of year. There’s a good tempo going on out here and I’m a little winded but that’s all part of getting out there and getting back in to it.
Is the ankle where you want it to be in terms of being able to plant and cut and things like that?
I’ve been training hard on it in the offseason – to do everything on it that I’ll be doing out here. That’s what my trainer has been putting me through [with] extensive workouts. I feel pretty good out here today cutting on it but it’s going to take a little bit to break it in.
How do you think an offseason like this one will help you compared to the offseason last year [while incarcerated]?
Last season was more of a rush job. I felt pretty good coming into last season. I was more fresh than anything. But as coach said, I wasn’t able to get into real good football shape as soon as I needed to be.
Is the competition brought on by Mike Anderson a good thing or is it your impression that you will be starting?
This game is all about competition. I just want to come in and do what I do every year and practice hard like I do every year. That’s not my concern. [My concern] is to come in here and be the best running back I can possibly be and help this team go where it needs to go.
Are you concerned that you won’t get the number of carries that you were looking for a year ago?
I don’t really care anymore. I’m just out here having fun. I’ve got a job and I’m working and that’s all I’m concerned about.
Did the new contract change your mind [about the number of carries]?
You know we got a new deal done. Both parties are happy. I’m happy, the organization is happy. We just roll with it and hopefully we can be on better terms than we were in the past year.
Can you compare from a mental standpoint, how you felt last year to this year?
Right now I’m free and clear. I’m free and clear. Everything is behind me. It’s a much better situation. I’m back on the right track compared to where I was before and that’s a good situation for myself and the organization.
When the focus is only on football and not on off the field issues or health, how much different is that for you as a player?
The less you have on your mind the better off you are as a football player because this is a mental game. It’s more mental than physical so I think that I’m in a good situation right now.
Would you describe this as a new beginning?
Oh yeah. I feel like it’s a new beginning, starting out with a new contract, starting off fresh, free and clear and brand new. Like I said, I’m in a good situation, I’m happy right now and I have everything behind me and my future to look forward to and I’m just trying to make the best of it.
You were criticized last year because the results weren’t there. Now that the issues and the injury are behind you, does the criticism give you more motivation to show what you can do?
Like I said before, this is bigger than Jamal Lewis. It is a team effort and we did worse last year as a team. It’s not all about Jamal Lewis. I didn’t do good, we didn’t do good as a whole team. I think it motivates the whole team to do better and if the whole team does better, Jamal Lewis does better, Ray Lewis does better and Ed Reed does better.
What do you think of the prospects of adding a Steve McNair?
I don’t know that situation. I don’t watch the news. I don’t watch Sportscenter. So I really don’t know anything about it. I can’t even comment on that.
What do you think of him as a quarterback?
He’s a good quarterback. He has a lot of experience, a lot of accolades – he’s a great quarterback. I know him as a person and he’s a good person.
Did you lose some weight from last year?
No actually I didn’t lose weight. I leaned up a little bit more. But this isn’t the time when I tried to come in at 230, 235 pounds. That will be on July 29. But right now I’m just doing what I have to do and trying to get in better shape for July 29.
What do you weigh now?
I don’t disclose my weight. What I look like I weigh that’s what I weigh.
