August 01, 2004|By Jamison Hensley | Jamison Hensley,SUN STAFF
Said Billick: "He seems very comfortable with his circumstances right now. He has an appreciation for the seriousness of it, but again he has an incredible amount of confidence in his innocence and in that coming out."
The problem with Lewis is he's as tough to read as he is to bring down on the field.
His face seldom betrays any emotion. His personality is one of the most subdued on the team.
When he set the NFL's single-game rushing record last season (295 yards against Cleveland), he nonchalantly walked over to the sideline, received some hugs from teammates and sought out a drink of water. There was no celebration. There wasn't even a smile.
So, is Lewis, a portrait of poise in training camp, truly at ease with his circumstances or is he merely masking his feelings?
"Some are good poker players in these situations," Fish said. "On the outside, they're fully calm. But on the inside, their stomach is in knots. To say the team would be able to pick up how this is affecting him, you can't say that for sure."
For that reason, the Ravens rely on linebacker Ray Lewis, who is Jamal Lewis' best friend on the team. Drawing on his experience during the 2000 season in the aftermath of a murder trial, Ray Lewis has provided invaluable counsel.
Of his conversations with Jamal Lewis, Ray Lewis said, "[I gave him] just the advice of truth, nothing else. Don't worry about man, put your trust in God. ... Just keep your mind on football, keep your mind on your family, what you truly love, what you truly believe in. Everything else will be all right."
The Ravens can only hope that history repeats itself.
Ray Lewis fed off the emotions from an unsettling offseason and led the Ravens to their first Super Bowl championship.
Four years later, Jamal Lewis has arrived at a similar crossroads.
Will he wilt from the adversity, or will he use it as an opportunity?
"Great athletes sometimes can see the situation as challenge that can elevate their performance," Fish said. "For many of them, it's that notion of `I'm going to get through this bigger and stronger.' "
RAVENS TRAINING CAMP
When: Through Aug. 24
Where: McDaniel College
Admission: Free
