Big Red Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 From http://www.baltimoresun.com J. Lewis released from federal prison in FloridaRunning back completed four-month sentence; will enter halfway house in Atlanta The Associated Press Originally published June 2, 2005, 11:02 AM EDT Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis was released Thursday morning from a Florida prison camp after completing a four-month sentence for using a cell phone to try to set up a cocaine deal. Lewis was expected to head to a halfway house in Atlanta for a two-month term. "I just spoke to Jamal, he was released early this morning," said Kevin Byrne, a team spokesman. "He seemed to be in a very good mood." Lewis was released at 6:11 a.m. EDT, said Dave Fagan, a spokesman at the prison in Pensacola, Fla. It was a quiet scene with no media present. Byrne said an attorney for Lewis has asked federal prison officials to allow the player to attend the Ravens minicamp June 13-16. "Medically, it would be good for him," Byrne said. "This is where he makes his living, but I don't know the court system. His lawyer is handling that." Lewis entered a guilty plea in October in Atlanta to trying to set up the drug deal in 2000, not long after he was selected fifth overall in the 2000 NFL draft. While in prison, he worked in the prison tool shop, read books, lifted weights and exercised his tender right ankle, which forced him to miss two games last season and was surgically repaired in January. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spain Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 Free at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty, Jamal is from at last! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgcoach Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 I just hope he can get in football shape and run starting the first game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Red Posted June 2, 2005 Author Share Posted June 2, 2005 I just hope he can get in football shape and run starting the first game. 829757[/snapback] He and his lawyer have asked to be allowed to attend mini camp. I don't think I'd be as concerned about him finishing his halfway house duties and getting to camp as I would about his ankle. No one really mentions that he had surgery on the ankle during the offseason and it is not back to where it needs to be yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 I'm expecting big things from Jamal this year, and I think he'll come through this part of his life better than ever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubfoothead Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 I see more then 2,000 on the ground again. When healthy, with all due respect to LT, he's the best in the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgcoach Posted June 4, 2005 Share Posted June 4, 2005 He and his lawyer have asked to be allowed to attend mini camp. I don't think I'd be as concerned about him finishing his halfway house duties and getting to camp as I would about his ankle. No one really mentions that he had surgery on the ankle during the offseason and it is not back to where it needs to be yet. 829877[/snapback] I know about the ankle and heard it was coming along great. He's doing running and cutting. I guess we'll see soon enough but, I think the ankle will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madbadbob Posted June 4, 2005 Share Posted June 4, 2005 BUST! Better than LT? Put down the pipe and step away. mbb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Red Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 Jamal was denied his request to report to this week's mini camp. He will be done his halfway house duty a few days after training camp opens. Billick is not happy (see bold quote below). From http://www.baltimoresun.com J. Lewis off-limits; Sanders is toe awayRunner must stay in Ga.; MRI delays corner's deal By Jamison Hensley Sun Staff Originally published June 7, 2005 The signing of Deion Sanders was delayed a day, but the Ravens' wait for Jamal Lewis will be much longer. Lewis' request to attend next week's mandatory minicamp was rejected by the Federal Bureau of Prisons yesterday, meaning the former Pro Bowl running back will have to remain in Atlanta for the last two months of his federal drug conspiracy sentence. His halfway-house term will be completed by either Aug. 1 or Aug. 2, which will cause Lewis to miss the start of training camp (July 31). There will no leniency to allow the 2003 NFL Offensive Player of the Year to report to camp on time, Lewis' lawyer said. "It's disappointing, especially since every time I turn on the TV, Martha Stewart is all over the country doing something," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "Evidently, she has a different furlough guy than Jamal." Lewis was transferred to a halfway house in Atlanta on Friday after serving four months at a minimum-security federal work camp in Pensacola, Fla. He pleaded guilty in October to using a cell phone to try to set up a cocaine deal in 2000. The Ravens had sent a letter to the managers of the halfway house explaining the importance of Lewis spending time with trainers to complete his rehabilitation from offseason ankle surgery. The denial by the Federal Bureau of Prisons also prohibits Lewis from visiting his Charlotte, N.C.-based surgeon. Arrangements will be made for the surgeon to travel to Lewis in Atlanta, his lawyer said. "The rules say wherever your halfway house is, you're not allowed to leave that district," said Jerome Froelich, one of Lewis' attorneys. "That's their policy and they're not going to make an exception to it. And Jamal understands that's their policy." Lewis said he has been running for more than a month and expects to be close to full strength by training camp. Billick said he wouldn't classify the ruling as a setback in Lewis' recovery. "The most important thing for me is whether he'll have adequate time and facility to work out now. As I understand it, he's going to have plenty of time and access to crank his rehab up," Billick said. "I wish he didn't have to miss next week's minicamp, but it's not insurmountable." Meanwhile, the holdup with Sanders is more of a logistical problem than a medical one. His physical at the Ravens' training complex could not be completed because the surgeon who performed minor work on a toe on Sanders' left foot this offseason is not in the area. The results of Sanders' magnetic resonance imaging test were sent overnight to his doctor, who will discuss them this morning with Leigh Ann Curl, the team's chief orthopedic surgeon. The Ravens are likely taking a cautious approach with the 37-year-old cornerback, and a team official said this snag is not any cause for concern. Once the Ravens have medically cleared Sanders, the seven-time Pro Bowl defender will sign a one-year, $1.5 million contract that could balloon to $4 million with playing-time incentives. Sanders left the Ravens' complex yesterday without comment. Toe and hamstring injuries limited Sanders to nine games last year, his first season since retiring in 2001. Still, he was only one of three NFL players to intercept three passes despite playing less than 10 games. Sanders' appearance coincided with the return of two Pro Bowl defenders. Middle linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed, both of whom had skipped the previous two voluntary passing camps, practiced with the team yesterday. The workout was closed to the media, and players were not made available. Besides Jamal Lewis, the only player not expected to attend is Terrell Suggs. The linebacker is scheduled to stand trial June 13 on two counts of aggravated assault. NOTE: The Miami Dolphins hired Randy Mueller as their general manager, ending speculation that Ravens director of pro personnel George Kokinis might leave. Kokinis was reportedly a top candidate for the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrGameTime Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 I see more then 2,000 on the ground again. When healthy, with all due respect to LT, he's the best in the game. 830016[/snapback] Jamal is a very nice back!!! OK but better than LT??????? Here let's start again........................No way, No how, and before you drop the pipe what were you smoking??????Just Jokes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 (edited) Question for everyone: is it just me or is this punishment for this crime more severe than what Ray went through? I understand Jamal knowingly lent his cell phone for a coke deal, but Ray Lewis plead guitly to obstruction of justice in an (still) unsolved double homicide. Jamal was 21 when he did his dumb move though that's no excuse, but Ray was near 30 and two guys were DOA. Anyone know full punishment details? Edited June 8, 2005 by Pope Flick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosn05 Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 I'm expecting big things from Jamal this year 830006[/snapback] Take his a$$ I will never take him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Take his a$$ I will never take him 834475[/snapback] Why so angry, bronc? Is it the Yankees doing this with an 0-2 count alla time? Strike THREE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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