NFL

Sentence won't cut into RB's season

By wire services
Published January 27, 2005

ATLANTA - Ravens running back Jamal Lewis was sentenced to four months in prison Wednesday for using a cell phone to try to set up a cocaine deal about 41/2 years ago.

The penalty, worked out with prosecutors in October, should allow Lewis to return to the Ravens well before the 2005 season. At most, he could miss the opening of training camp.

He also will spend two months in a halfway house and perform 500 hours of community service after his prison term.

Lewis pleaded guilty to trying to set up the drug deal a few months after the Ravens chose him No. 5 overall in the 2000 draft. No drugs exchanged hands.

Prosecutors agreed to drop more serious drug conspiracy and attempted cocaine possession charges.

"I'm truly sorry for what I did," Lewis said to U.S. District Judge Orinda Evans.

Explaining the short sentence, the judge said the government didn't have a strong case and noted the only witness against Lewis was an informant with a lengthy criminal record.

Evans said she was also giving Lewis "credit for stepping up to the bar" and admitting his guilt.

Lewis has until Feb. 4 to surrender to allow him time to have a cast removed from his right ankle, the judge said. Lewis recently had surgery.

Evans said she will recommend that Lewis serve his time at a federal prison camp at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala. The community confinement will be served at a halfway house in Atlanta.

If Lewis reports at the latest possible date and does not get time off for good behavior, the earliest he would be released from the halfway house would be Aug. 4. The Ravens' training camp usually opens in late July.

STEELERS DISPUTE REPORT: Rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was exaggerating when he said he broke two toes on his right foot during the AFC Championship Game, Steelers coach Bill Cowher said.

Roethlisberger told reporters Tuesday he wore down physically during the lengthy season and broke two toes while scrambling late in the first half of the 41-27 loss to the Patriots.

Cowher seemed irritated Roethlisberger would go public with a claim that, in effect, suggested the Steelers gambled with the Offensive Rookie of the Year's health by playing him when he was hurt.

"We are unaware of any problems with his toes, okay?" Cowher said.

PRO BOWL: Dolphins cornerback Patrick Surtain was added to the AFC Pro Bowl squad, replacing injured Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister. Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith and offensive tackle Marvel Smith also were added, with Aaron Smith replacing Jets defensive end John Abraham and Marvel Smith replacing Chiefs offensive tackle Willie Roaf. In the NFC, Falcons return specialist Allen Rossum replaces the Lions' Eddie Drummond.

LIONS: Ted Tollner was named offensive coordinator and reunited with coach Steve Mariucci. Tollner replaces Sherman Lewis, who retired after the season.

OBITUARY: Charles Martin, the former Packers defensive end who body-slammed Bears quarterback Jim McMahon into the turf and ended his season in 1986, died Sunday in Houston. He was 46.

[Last modified January 27, 2005, 00:41:13]