EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Dion Lewis grew up in Albany, N.Y. when the Giants' training camp was held there. Lewis and his father would drive over to the University at Albany to watch practice.
"It was probably about 10 minutes from my house," Lewis said in a phone conversation today. "I would go with my dad, and we would go watch training camp three times a year. That was a great experience for a young kid like me, who had football dreams. Getting to watch some of the pros practice, that was always pretty cool. I used to always look forward to that during summer time."
Lewis admired quarterback Kurt Warner in 2004 and wide receivers like Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard. But he was most impressed with the running backs, the position he played in his youth league. Lewis' favorite player was Tiki Barber. "I used to wear 21 as well when I was younger, too," he said. Lewis later met Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs and even scored an autograph from the latter.
"That was a pretty cool experience for me," Lewis said. "I think I still have it. I think I have the autograph tucked away somewhere. I would have to ask my mom and dad where it's at."
Now Lewis will wear the same uniform as the heroes of his youth. The Giants last week signed the nine-year veteran to be Saquon Barkley's backup.
"It's a perfect and unique opportunity," Lewis said. "Can't wait to get to work."
Lewis began his career in 2011 with the Philadelphia Eagles and spent the last two seasons with the Tennessee Titans. In-between, he missed two entire seasons – he broke his leg in 2013 - and spent three years with the New England Patriots, for whom he played in two Super Bowls, winning one. Like fellow free agent signees Nate Ebner and Cam Fleming, he was in New England with Joe Judge, the Giants' head coach. Lewis returned two kickoffs for touchdowns when Judge was the Patriots' special teams coordinator, in a 2016 postseason game and a 2017 regular-season contest.
"Every time we did a kick return, every special teams unit, we were so in sync with the game plan," Lewis said. "We knew exactly what the other team was going to do. When I was returning kicks, we knew where they wanted to kick the ball. The whole kick return unit, we knew where they were kicking the ball because our return was based off where they were kicking it. We all had to be on the same page, and he made sure we were.
"(Judge is) very attention to detail oriented. He does a great job. He works really hard. He takes pride in what he does. But he's also pretty funny. He throws a couple of jokes in there to keep it light. But at the same time, he's always letting you know that he expects the best out of you."
View photos of running back Dion Lewis.
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) plays against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) runs the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) celebrates a touchdown catch with teammate Dion Lewis (33) in an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 in Baltimore. The Titans defeated the Ravens 28-12
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) catches the ball during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New England Patriots on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 in Foxborough, Mass. The Titans won, 20-13. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) runs with the football during the NFL AFC Championship football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Kansas City, MO. The Chiefs defeated the Titans 35-24. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) catches a pass during pregame warmups against the Kansas City Chiefs during the NFL AFC Championship football game, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Kansas City, MO. The Chiefs defeated the Titans 35-24. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) during warmups prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs during the NFL AFC Championship football game, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Kansas City, MO. The Chiefs won 35-24. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) before the NFL AFC Championship football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) runs during an NFL regular season football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Houston. The Titans won, 35-14. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) catches the ball during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New England Patriots on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 in Foxborough, Mass. The Titans won, 20-13. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. The Saints beat the Titans 38-28. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) is seen from the back during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. The Texans beat the Titans 24-21. (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) during an NFL regular season football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Houston. The Titans won, 35-14. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) runs for yardage during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday Dec. 15, 2019 in Nashville. The Texans defeated the Titans 24-21. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. The Texans beat the Titans 24-21. (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis warms up before an NFL football game between the Titans and the Houston Texans Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Cleveland Browns running back Dion Lewis (28) runs the ball chased by Detroit Lions Gregory Hickman (60) during a preseason NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
NFL football player Julian Edelman, of the New England Patriots, accepts the award for best game for Super Bowl LI at the ESPYS at the Microsoft Theater on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, in Los Angeles. Pictured from left, Trey Flowers, Dion Lewis, James White, Nate Ebner, Malcolm Butler and Danny Amendola. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) runs for yardage during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019 in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers defeated the Titans 30-20. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
From left, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and players Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady, James White and Dion Lewis carry Super Bowl trophies off the field before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates on opening day at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) hands the ball to running back Dion Lewis (33), during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
FILE- In this Oct. 29, 2017, file photo, New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) returns the opening kickoff in the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles are set to meet in Super Bowl 52 on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, addresses the crowd as cornerback Malcolm Butler holds a Super Bowl trophy and running back Dion Lewis takes a photo during a rally Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, in Boston, to celebrate Sunday's 34-28 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game in Houston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots Dion Lewis #33 in action against the Atlanta Falcons at Super Bowl 51 on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Houston, TX. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots, from left, owner Robert Kraft, and players Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Dion Lewis and James White carry the team's five Super Bowl trophies during Boston Red Sox Home Opening Day ceremonies at Fenway Park, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Boston. The Red Sox face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the baseball game. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots Dion Lewis #33 in action against the Atlanta Falcons at Super Bowl 51 on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Houston, TX. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots, from the left, LeGarrette Blount, Dion Lewis, and Brandon Bolden, walk with the Super Bowl trophy as they greet fans outside Gillette Stadium, Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass, after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game in Houston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis takes a selfie with head coach Bill Belichick during a rally Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, in Boston, to celebrate Sunday's 34-28 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game in Houston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots, from left, LeGarrette Blount, Rob Gronkowski, James White, Dion Lewis, and Martellus Bennett ride in a parade Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, in Boston to celebrate the team's 34-28 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Sunday's NFL Super Bowl 51 football game in Houston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots' Dion Lewis, left, runs against Atlanta Falcons' Jalen Collins during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
A close up of New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) helmet during warm ups prior to an NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28 in overtime. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis speaks during Super Bowl LII Opening Night on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018 in St. Paul, Minn. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick celebrates with running back Dion Lewis (33) after Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston, Texas. The Patriots won the game in overtime, 34-28. (Greg Trott via AP)
FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2017, file photo, New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs past Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass. In last week’s 34-16 win over Houston, Lewis became the first player in the Super Bowl era to score on a run, a catch and a kick return in a postseason game. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
New England Patriots' Dion Lewis plays against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) celebrates after an NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28 in overtime. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New England Patriots' Dion Lewis ( 33) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) carries the ball through the hole during an NFL Super Bowl LII football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018 in Minneapolis. Philadelphia won 41-33. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs during an NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28 in overtime. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) celebrates after an NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28 in overtime. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs with the ball during the NFL Super Bowl LII football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018 in Minneapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) reveres the ball during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl LII football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. The Eagles won 41-33. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs upfield during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl LII football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. The Eagles won 41-33. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) hands off to running back Dion Lewis (33) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, site of Super Bowl XLII. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs with the ball during the NFL Super Bowl LII football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018 in Minneapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick celebrates as he hugs running back Dion Lewis (33) after Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston, Texas. The Patriots won the game in overtime, 34-28. (Greg Trott via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during warm ups prior to the NFL Super Bowl LII football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. The Eagles won 41-33. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) returns a kick off during the 2018 NFL Super Bowl LII football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018 in Minneapolis. The Eagles won the game 41-33. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs with the ball during the NFL Super Bowl LII football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018 in Minneapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis celebrates a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during a NFL football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) celebrates a touchdown with offensive guard Tre Jackson (63) and quarterback Tom Brady (12) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, October 11, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) tosses the football at a network sideline camera after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) congratulates running back Dion Lewis (33) on his rushing touchdown against the New York Jetsduring the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, top, runs from New York Jets safety Marcus Maye toward the goal line and a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, top, dives over New York Jets safety Marcus Maye for the goal line and a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, left, heads toward the goal line for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates a touchdown by running back Dion Lewis (33) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) slips the tackle of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25) and dives for the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) scores a touchdown after catching a pass from Tom Brady during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. New England won 30-6. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, right, celebrates his touchdown against Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) celebrates his touchdown against the Miami Dolphins with teammates Brandon Bolden, left, and Dion Lewis (33)during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) scores a touchdown after catching a pass against the Oakland Raiders in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis runs a kick off back for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) for a 103-yard touchdown on a kick return during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017 in Denver. New England won 41-16. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs back a kick-off for a touchdown as Denver Broncos outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett (48) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs back a kick-off for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs for a touchdown in action against the New York Jets Sunday December 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Mass. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) scores a touchdown in front of Carolina Panthers cornerback Kevon Seymour during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) scores a touchdown in front of Carolina Panthers cornerback Kevon Seymour (27) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Cleveland Browns running back Dion Lewis (28) is congratulated by quarterback Brandon Weeden, left, and offensive tackle Jason Pinkston after a catching a two-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) celebrates a touchdown run in divisional playoff action against the Houston Texans Saturday January 14, 2017 in Foxboro, Mass. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) celebrates a touchdown run in divisional playoff action against the Houston Texans Saturday January 14, 2017 in Foxboro, Mass. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) returns a kickoff for a touchdown in divisional playoff action against the Houston Texans Saturday January 14, 2017 in Foxboro, Mass. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) celebrates a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. New England won 30-6. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) warms up for play against the Houston Texans Jan. 14, 2017 during an NFL football conference playoff game in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 34 - 16. Lewis' three touchdowns set an NFL record. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Dion Lewis is stopped just short of the goal line by Washington Redskins outside linebacker Brian Orakpo during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) gets past Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Malcolm Jenkins (27) in overtime of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Dion Lewis (28) walks from the Locker room to the field through the tunnel before the NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, December 9th 2012 in Tampa, Fla. The Eagles won 23-21. (AP Photo/Brian Garfinkel)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Dion Lewis (28) warms up before an NFL football game with the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Philadelphia Eagles' Dion Lewis returns a kick during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano greets running back Dion Lewis (28) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Monday, Sept. 15, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Dion Lewis (28) breaks away on a run during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Philadelphia Eagles kick returner Dion Lewis (28) returns a kick during the NFL week 9 football game against the Chicago Bears on Monday, November 7, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bears won the game 30-24. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, right, hugs running back Dion Lewis (28) as he walks back to the bench in the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Dion Lewis #28 carries the ball during the NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins. The Eagles won 20-13 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland on Sunday, October 16th 2011. (AP Photo/Brian Garfinkel)
Philadelphia Eagles' Dion Lewis celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 34-10. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Dion Lewis (28) looks up from the sideline with his helmet off during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, December 24, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Dion Lewis (28) returns a kick off during a NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, September 25, 2011 in Philadelphia. The Giants won the game 29-16. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Dion Lewis (28) carries the ball during the NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants on Sunday, December 30th 2012 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 42-7. (AP Photo/Brian Garfinkel)
Dion Lewis of the Philadelphia Eagles returns a kickoff against the St. Louis Rams during the 2011 NFL season opener at the Edward Jones Dome on September 11, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Eagles won 34-13. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Dion Lewis (28) runs with the ball in the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Lewis has started 27 of 86 regular-season games and rushed for 2,310 yards and 11 touchdowns on 538 carries (4.3-yard avg.) and caught 172 passes for 1,281 yards and seven scores. He has also played in nine postseason games with five starts, including the two Super Bowls. His playoff totals are 60 carries for 222 yards and one touchdown, plus 23 receptions for 158 yards and one score.
In 2019, Lewis played in all 16 regular-season games for the third consecutive season and three postseason games for the Titans as a backup to Derrick Henry, who led the NFL with 1,540 rushing yards. Lewis finished second on the team with 54 carries for 209 yards and added 25 catches for 164 yards and one touchdown. It was a much smaller workload than he had in 2017 (his final season in New England) and 2018 (his first in Tennessee) when he totaled 335 carries, 1,413 rushing yards and 91 catches and scored a total of 11 touchdowns.
"It was tough," Lewis said. "But at the same time, I think it helped keeping the team mentality first. Another thing that helped was Derrick and me had a great relationship. The relationship we had, I wanted nothing but success for him. I was rooting for him. We always helped each other, we were tough on each other. Those two factors made it easy for me to root for him to do well, just because we were close. I knew the type of runner he is. He's the type of guy that needs to be in the game a lot and gets better with more carries. I understood that, and just did whatever the coaches asked me to do and whatever they thought was best for the team."
Lewis has always had a close relationship with his running back teammates, whether he was starting in front of them or was behind them on the depth chart.
"I played behind LeSean McCoy my first three years in the league in Philadelphia," Lewis said. "I built a great relationship with him, learned a lot from him, especially as a young player, the way he studied the game and things like that. I played with LeGarrette Blount and James White in New England and those are two of my best friends now. James is an extremely smart player, so I learned a lot from him protection-wise, how to run routes. Then being with Derrick. Just being around great backs my whole career, just learning from them and just trying to keep a little piece from each player's game. I think that's what helped me be in the league for a long time, just learning, being open to learn and competing with guys."
Now he will partner with Barkley, who totaled 3,469 scrimmage yards his first two seasons and was the 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
"We texted the first day when I signed," Lewis said. "I haven't met him in person, but everything I've heard about him, he's a great kid, works extremely hard. I'm excited to play with him. I like the way he plays. I think he's one of the best running backs in the league, so I'm excited to work with him. I'm going to push him, I'm going to try to learn some things from him, and I look forward to building that relationship, that strong chemistry with each other. We're going to hold each other accountable, pick each other's brains, come together, make this team better and try to win some games."
Sounds like the perfect plan for a lifelong Giants fan.
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