News & Info/Headlines

The Ravens announced today that they have agreed to a contract with running back Jamal Lewis, bringing back a popular player whose return seemed unlikely just a day ago.

NFL Network insider Adam Schefter is reporting the two sides agreed to a three-year deal worth $25 million.

Lewis, the franchise's all-time rushing leader, ran for 906 yards during a disappointing 2005 season.

The Ravens appeared to be headed in a different direction Sunday when the team announced the signing of former Broncos running back Mike Anderson to a four-year deal after unrestricted free agent Chester Taylor signed with the Vikings on Saturday.

"We are so excited to have Jamal back," said general manager Ozzie Newsome. "If you look at his history, he always rebounds in a big way from adversity. He had a tough 2005 that started with surgery, his incarceration and then dealing with all of the turmoil during the season with the contract hanging over his head.

"We expect big things from him."

After undergoing offseason ankle surgery, the 5-11, 245-pound back led the Ravens with 1,097 combined yards last season, including 906 rushing and 191 receiving.

The return of Lewis, a 2003 Pro Bowler, puts the kibosh on initial reports by Baltimore Sun staffer Jamison Hensley and the Associated Press, who advised readers Sunday night that Anderson expected to take over as the team's starting running back.

That won't happen now.

While his return is clearly a positive for Baltimore's offense, I tend to agree with Yahoo! Sports NFL writer Charles Robinson, who suggested last Sunday that it's hard to which Lewis the team will be getting for their money.

Robinson went on to wonder: "Is he the guy with injury issues who seemed to be protecting himself last season while feuding with the Baltimore Ravens over his contract? Or is he the punishing superstar runner of 2002 and 2003 who often looked unstoppable?"

It's hard to know for sure, especially with Anderson in the mix. While it's not clear exactly what role the newcomer will play now that Lewis is back in the fold, it's hard to imagine him cutting significantly into Lewis' touches -- as long as Lewis returns to his pre-2005 form.

And that's certainly possible.

Lewis doesn't turn 27 until August and there have been other running backs who rebounded from similar issues -- with Robinson pointing to Corey Dillon as a prime example.

It's worth noting, as Profootballtalk.com editor Mike Florio did this morning, the possibility of lingering tension between Lewis and head coach Brian Billick.

In case you missed it, Sun staffer Mike Preston asked Lewis about his relationship with Billick last month -- when all involved assumed the star halfback would be plying his trade elsewhere this year.

"I don't know what to say about it," Lewis said initially. He then added: "We really didn't bump heads, but I've always played for coaches who shoot the truth. I want the truth and didn't get it here. Other coaches handled me as a partner, but here I was splitting time with [Taylor]. The year before they're running me 25 to 30 times a game with a bad ankle and we're trying to get into the playoffs.

"This year, I'm carrying it only 10 to 15 times on a 6-10 team. It doesn't make a lot of sense, huh?"

But of course, the issues aren't limited to Billick. If you'll recall, Lewis acknowledged midway through last season that he wasn't running with his usual power because he feared getting hurt -- something that would hurt his value as a free agent this offseason.

Preston, in fact, went so far as to suggest: "The mysterious hand injury (Lewis supposedly suffered) before the Denver Broncos game was more fake than real. He deserved an Oscar."

So. ... Relationships will need some mending. But I suspect that will be a simple matter as long as Lewis returns to form. If he doesn't, well. ... That's where Anderson could come in.

It's worth noting the 32-year old Anderson, who 1,014 yards rushing and scored 12 touchdowns last season, was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year ahead of Lewis in 2000, when he gained 1,487 yards and scored 15 touchdowns.

Anderson's numbers declined from 2001 to 2003, when he averaged 440 yards. He was sidelined for the entire 2004 season because of a groin injury.