Jags Sign Ravens' Return Specialist Jermaine Lewis

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Pro Bowl return specialist Jermaine Lewis signed a three-year contract Thursday with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Lewis spent last season in Houston after Baltimore left him unprotected in the expansion draft. He was cut by Houston on Feb. 20 because the Texans didn't want to pay him a $500,000 roster bonus.

Lewis is familiar to new Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio and personnel chief James Harris. They were with the Ravens when Lewis made the Pro Bowl as a punt returner for Baltimore in 2001.

"We're excited, because Jermaine gives us a playmaker from the return position," Harris said. "He can change the field position of a game very quickly. He has tremendous pure speed."

The contract is worth nearly $3 million, the Florida Times-Union reported in its Friday editions, quoting a team source.

Lewis, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds, was the sixth veteran free agent signed by the Jaguars since March 10.

The eight-year pro led the NFL in punt-return yards two years ago. He also topped the league with a 16.1-yard average on punt returns in 2000 and went to his first Pro Bowl in 1998.

"We had a lot of respect for Jermaine and the things he did for us in Baltimore, and he's still a young guy," Harris said of the 5-foot-7, 180-pound Lewis, who will be 29 in October.

Lewis replaces Bobby Shaw as the Jags' punt returner. Shaw signed with Buffalo on Monday.

Harris said Lewis, who missed four games with ankle, shoulder and rib injuries last season, probably wouldn't play much as a receiver because Del Rio wants to keep him healthy.

Information from: The Florida Times-Union, http://www.jacksonville.com