Music to My Ears...maybe...

Potentially big news for Steelers fans -- the Ravens cut Jamal Lewis today in an effort to bolster some salary cap room...apparently (although chances are they just didn't wanna pay him the $5 million roster bonus he was due to receive in two days) in the hopes that they will be able to re-sign him shortly hereafter.

So what does this mean to Steeler Nation? It means there might be a guy on the market right now that looks an awful lot like Jermoe Bettis, though not quite as upstanding a citizen. Despite the fact that he's a convicted criminal, Lewis has still been a premier presence at RB in the NFL, and a major thorn in the Steelers side over the past 7 years or so. With his Bettis-esque between the tackles-pound the shit out of you-I'm as big as a house and as fast as a track star running ability, Lewis runs the football better than a majority of NFL RBs.

And frankly, due partly to Najeh Davenport's more or less ineffectiveness the last half of the season, I wouldn't mind seeing the Steelers make a push for Lewis to wear the Black and Gold. I say offer him a one year contract, see if he can behave (which he did all last season) and be a second option behind Willie Parker, a goal line specialist if you will. I know it's tough for skill players to take a back seat when they've been so successful as starters, but there's always a chance it could work if he had the right attitude.

However, on another note, it could also mean that he's a very viable option for the Browns, who also need backfield help (and have been speculated to be interested in Adrian Peterson with the 3rd pick in this year's draft)...although I don't think the Browns are smart enough to recognize the potential he would bring so I think this move is probably doubtful.

But none of this really matters anyway because both the Lewis camp and the Ravens camp have said they want to see him back with the team next season just with different terms.

Nonetheless, he's out there...along with Eric Moulds (not for the Steelers, but could be a good WR option for someone else), Brad Johnson (who really ought to strong consider retirement at this point), and maybe even Trent Green.