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September 18, 2000

It's Time to Give Jamal the Ball

Running game threat will open up offense


Top draft pick Jamal Lewis will add serious running game threat in 2000.

No pun intended but last night in Miami, the Ravens played their sloppiest game in quite some time. Unless you're a freak of nature, you don't have enough fingers to point for the poor showing. The entire team looked lethargic, unemotional, asleep at the wheel. I try not to get too high or too low after a game and I'm still in the honeymoon stage, thankful that I have something to complain about on Monday morning. Having said that, give the entire team (including coaches) an "F" for effort and give Miami a lot of credit for playing with passion and beating the Ravens to the punch in every phase of the game. A disappointing showing, to say the least. The bright spot? Jamal Lewis. This young man can obviously play the game. It may be time to start centering the offense around him. With all due respect to Priest Holmes, Jamal is a game breaker, a constant home run threat and will change the entire dynamic of the team. A large part of the St. Louis Rams' highly potent offense is the ever-present threat of running back Marshall Faulk. Teams must key on him as he is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. This alone has opened up many other avenues of success for Kurt Warner and the wide receivers. Jamal Lewis is such a running back. With power, speed, instinct and receiving ability, he must be constantly "shadowed". Opponents will be forced to put that 8th man in the box, opening up the field and taking some pressure off of Tony Banks and the young wide-outs. The NFL is all about winning. Give Jamal 25-30 carries a game, coupled with the team's defense and there are not many teams that can beat the Ravens.

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