CLEVELAND — Owner Randy Lerner and president Mike Holmgren weren’t on hand for the Browns’ season finale Sunday afternoon, but injured running back Jamal Lewis was.

Lewis quietly congratulated many of his teammates after Cleveland’s 23-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, then spoke to the media for the first time since suffering a season-ending concussion five weeks earlier.

“It was scary from the start, but I talked to a specialist (in Atlanta) who eased my mind with his knowledge of what’s going on,” the nine-year veteran said. “I still have symptoms, so I’m trying to get over that and rest as much as possible.

“After I get through with the concussion process, then I can make a solid decision on retiring. I’m just not closing the door on the decision.”

Lewis revealed that he actually suffered two concussions this season. The first came in the Browns’ opener against Minnesota on Sept. 13, while the second occurred at Cincinnati on Nov. 29.

Though he fought through the pain to play in nine games and rush for exactly 500 yards, the 21st-leading ground gainer in NFL history looked like a shell of his former self.

“The first game of the season, I got knocked out against the Vikings and I couldn’t move,” he recounted. “We just went on, kept going, but I felt something was not right, I wasn’t me. I told (offensive coordinator Brian) Daboll, not getting my totes might have been a blessing in disguise.”

Lewis also surprisingly came out in support of coach Eric Mangini, who he publicly clashed with early in the season. Lewis listed a number of reasons why Lerner and Holmgren should keep the staff intact, going as far as to praise Mangini’s “great philosophy.”

“Everybody was trying to figure out what he was trying to accomplish,” Lewis said. “It just takes time to put it together.

“Later in the year, all the guys were playing for each other. You could tell nobody wanted to go out beaten down and losing. That says something.”

Close, but no cigar

Joshua Cribbs failed to break the NFL record for all-purpose yards in a season, but he was still happy after the Browns extended their winning streak to four games.

“We got it done toward the end of the year, and these wins are going to carry over into next season,” he said. “We were going out there expecting to win, knowing we were going to win. That was the difference this year.”

Cribbs played a big role in the victory, putting Cleveland ahead for good with a 14-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter. He finished with 47 rushing yards, 40 on kickoff returns and 18 on punt returns for a total of 105.

That raised his season sum to 2,510 all-purpose yards, which placed him fourth in NFL history behind Tennessee’s Derrick Mason (2,690 in 2000), New Orleans’ Michael Lewis (2,647 in 2002) and San Diego’s Lionel “Little Train” James (2,535 in 1985).

And Cribbs did it all while attempting to have his contract renegotiated, which he believes new team president Mike Holmgren will do in the near future.

“I stuck it out for my friends, family and my teammates, and I didn’t worry about injuries,” the former Kent State quarterback said. “I think I did a good job of handling it my way.”

Brownie bits

• Jerome Harrison finished the year with 862 rushing yards and had two receptions Sunday, which earned him a share of the team crown with wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi at 34.
• Robert Royal’s first-quarter reception was his first since Nov. 16 against Baltimore. The veteran tight end had four grabs in the season opener and just seven since.
• Cornerback Eric Wright tied injured safety Brodney Pool for the team lead with his fourth interception.
• Safety Abram Elam forced a fumble from Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew and led the Browns with six tackles.
• Rookie linebacker Kaluka Maiava had a career-high 1½ sacks, along with four tackles, two quarterback hits and one tackle for loss.

Out of action

The Browns’ inactives were defensive end Kenyon Coleman (ankle, elbow), tackle John St. Clair (ankle), wide receiver Brian Robiskie (ankle), cornerbacks Gerard Lawson and Coye Francies, linebacker Titus Brown, defensive end Titus Adams and tight end Greg Estandia. Floyd Womack started at right tackle for St. Clair, moving Rex Hadnot to right guard, while Corey Williams took Coleman’s spot at left end.

Jacksonville did not dress wide receiver Torry Holt (hand), cornerback Rashean Mathis (groin), tight end Marcedes Lewis (cheek, head), cornerback Kennard Cox, center Cecil Newton, tackle Tra Thomas, defensive end Julius Williams and guard Paul McQuistan.

Looking ahead

The Browns’ 2010 schedule was finalized when the last-place finisher in the AFC South Division was determined. The Browns’ home games are against New England, the New York Jets, Atlanta, Carolina, Kansas City, Baltimore, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

Cleveland will travel to Buffalo, Miami, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

Next season marks the eighth and final year of the NFL’s scheduling format that guaranteed each team one trip to every stadium during that timeframe. The 2011 grid will not be created until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached — one that will likely expand the regular season to 18 games.

Extra points

Jacksonville suffered its first loss in Cleveland, having won all five of its previous trips to the North Coast. The Jaguars lead the all-time series 8-4.

The official attendance was 66,935, which was the smallest crowd in Cleveland Browns Stadium history. The stands were never more than half full at any point.

Kickoff conditions were 16 degrees with a minus-1 wind chill and 20 mph gusts. Very light snow fell intermittently throughout the game.

The Browns wore their brown tops and white pants, while the Jaguars sported white jerseys and black pants.

Contact Brian Dulik at brisports@hotmail.com.

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