NFL: Lewis reaches one-year deal with Browns
Jamal Lewis is heading north without leaving the AFC North.
The free-agent running back and former 2,000-yard rusher for Baltimore agreed to a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, a person within the NFL told the Associated Press on Wednesday night.
Lewis was released last week in a salary-cap move by Baltimore, which elected not to pay its career rushing leader a $5 million roster bonus. He’ll try to boost the Browns, who were last in the league in rushing in 2006.
In 2003, Lewis torched the Browns for an NFL-record 295 yards on the ground. He rushed for 2,066 yards, the second-highest total in league history, that year.
With Lewis on board, the Browns must decide what to do with incumbent Reuben Droughns. They owe Droughns a $1.75 million roster bonus later this month.
Slowed by injuries, Droughns rushed for just 758 yards last season after gaining 1,232 yards in 2005.
Elsewhere, Daniel Graham became the latest addition to the Denver Broncos, one of the most active teams so far this off-season. The Broncos agreed with the former New England tight end on a five-year, $30 million deal that includes $15 million in guaranteed money.
Graham had been with New England since the Patriots drafted him with the 21st overall pick in 2002.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons were talking to 35-year-old wide receiver Joe Horn, who was cut last week by their NFC South rivals in New Orleans. ESPN.com quoted unnamed team sources as saying the Falcons reached agreement with the outspoken receiver, but the Falcons denied it.
In Davie, Fla., Joey Porter passed his physical and signed a five-year, $32 million contract with the Miami Dolphins. Porter, a three-time Pro Bowler, spent his first eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who released him last week in a salary-cap move. He ranks fourth in Steelers history with 60 sacks.
In other moves:
“Green Bay released 36-year-old fullback William Henderson, leaving Brett Favre as the only member of the 1996 Super Bowl championship team still playing for the Packers.
“Baltimore released 350-pound guard Edwin Mulitalo, who missed most of last season with a torn triceps.
“Washington released kicker John Hall, a 10-year veteran who missed most of last season with a leg injury.
“Pittsburgh re-signed running back Najeh Davenport, who backed up Willie Parker after being signed last September. The former Packer rushed for 220 yards on 80 carries.
“Atlanta signed cornerback Lewis Sanders, who started seven games for Houston last season.
“Jean-Phillipe Darche, a long snapper who spent seven years in Seattle, signed with Kansas City.
“The New Orleans Saints agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free-agent tight end Eric Johnson. Johnson, with San Francisco 49ers the last six years, will compete for playing time with Mark Campbell and recently re-signed Billy Miller.
“The Detroit Lions re-signed running back Aveion Cason and defensive tackle Cleveland Pinkney to one-year contracts.