"Jamal is a great asset to that team," he said. "But anything can happen in the NFL."

Frankel said Lewis, who's also heard the speculation, is taking it one day at a time.

"We'll wait and see like everyone else," he said.

Lewis, coming back from off-season ankle surgery, averaged 2.6 yards per carry on his 24 preseason carries with a long gain of 11. He hinted during an interview on his birthday (Aug. 26) that he wasn't going all out yet. However, his protege, Davis, averaged 7.8 yards per carry and scored on an 81-yard burst against the Lions, although many of those yards came against backups.

After Thursday night's game in Chicago, during which Lewis and the rest of the starters were idle, Lewis praised the young back, who picked up a blitz on a touchdown pass and blocked well on Gerard Lawson's 55-yard kickoff return.

"I've known him for a long time and to see him come out here and do a good job and take things in the way he has and handle things like a real professional, that's a great deal," said Lewis, who attended the same high school as Davis in Atlanta. "He runs good and he looks good and he's going to be a great back."

He's also spent much of the off-season mentoring his apparent successor.

"Whatever I know, I try to give to him and he takes it and adds to it everything else that he has and makes it special," said Lewis, who rushed for 1,304 yards in 2007. "I try to let him know everything I did wrong and how to make it right."

Lewis, who became the 24th back in NFL history last season to reach 10,000 yards, was also looking forward to sharing reps with the rookie.

"When they brought him here I was like 'that's cool' because I remember him from high school, so being able to be in the same backfield with him and practices and the same meeting rooms, and actually share my experiences with him, it's a good deal," said Lewis. "I had a Priest Holmes (as a mentor) when I came in the league and I try to pass the same things down."

If the Browns cut Lewis, that would mean they paid him $10 million for the 1,002-yard season he had in 2008. Signed to a three-year extension by Phil Savage in 2008, Lewis made $6.5 million in 2008, including bonuses, and then the $3.5 million roster bonus in 2009.

Would it be wise to cut him after that kind of investment? His base salary for 2009 is $2.4 million, which he would not get if released.

"Eric Mangini and George Kokinis are running the team and they can do whatever they want," Frankel said of the Browns coach and GM.

If it does happen, the Browns would potentially have at least $19 million on the books this season for players who are either gone, on the bench, or coming off it. Derek Anderson, who could be the backup quarterback, received a $5 million roster bonus in April. Corey Williams, who's playing behind Robaire Smith at right end, received a $6 million bonus. Receiver Donte' Stallworth, who's suspended for the season, received a $4.5 million bonus, and Lewis, $3.5 million.

Deadline for final cuts is 6 p.m. Saturday.

Others on the bubble: Rookie receiver Jordan Norwood, who showed promise early in camp, dropped a potential touchdown pass in Chicago and could be headed for the practice squad. . . . Second-year tight end Martin Rucker hopes to get the nod over free agent tight end Aaron Walker. "(Saturday) comes with some butterflies, but I feel I had a good camp and worked as hard as I could," Rucker said. . . . Running back Noah Herron suffered what appeared to be a stinger and sat out most of the Chicago game, but could make the team if Lewis doesn't. . . . Linebacker Beau Bell, the Browns' fourth-round pick in 2008, might not make the team. . . . Receiver Paul Hubbard could be headed back to the practice squad. So could second-year receiver Lance Leggette. . . . Linebacker Leon Williams could get beaten out by rookie free agent Marcus Benard.