When the Cleveland Browns signed RB Jamal Lewis to a one-year deal last season they were hoping to fill a gap until they could find their "running back of the future".  On Thursday, Jamal Lewis became the team's future in the backfield as he signed a three-year deal to stay in Cleveland.

Lewis was set to become an unrestricted free agent next week. But the Browns, coming off of a 10-6 season in which they barely missed the playoffs, didn't want to risk losing a running back that amassed over 1,300 yards on the ground in the process.

After beinig cut last year by the Ravens, Lewis surprised many by turning a Pro-Bowl caliber performance in helping Cleveland back to respectability. He scored 9 of his 11 TD's over the team's last 10 games and had four 100-yard efforts over the season's last six contests. He was a big reason that the Browns nearly made the playoffs and at just 28 years he may just have a few more years left.

With an offensive line that has vastly been improved, talented and gifted receivers like Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslon along with mutliple options at quarterback in both Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn there is plenty to get excited about in Northern Ohio.