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But the real reason for the All-Pro linebacker reporting to training camp heavier is his health. For the first time in two seasons, he hasn't had to deal with pain in his shoulder and could concentrate on lifting weights.
"Last season, I didn't lift at all," Lewis said. "I lost so much weight, so much mass. Even though I dealt out more punishment, I took more than any time during my career.
"But this offseason, I've channeled my energy where it was needed the most. I won't allow my body fat to get below seven percent. I've always done a lot of cardio work, so I didn't do anything with my legs. But I started doing more work, almost every day, with dumbbells to isolate on my arms, back and shoulder areas. I started doing more pushups and ab work."
A dislocated left shoulder during the fourth game in 2002 forced Lewis to miss 11 of the final 12 games in what up to that point was perhaps his finest season.
Lewis had another strong season in 2003, leading the team with 225 tackles, but he played the second half with a bruised right shoulder and wore a brace in the final four games.
There were times when Lewis was overpowered, and those came before he put on the brace.
But now, the weight is up, the shoulders are fine and the outlook for the Ravens couldn't be better.
"All the pieces have come together again for me to physically dominate, and get us back to the Super Bowl," Lewis said. "This is going to be another special year."
He has been named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad six times. He is one of only six players to have won multiple Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year awards.
But this year, Lewis is aiming to become the league's Most Valuable Player award and win a second Super Bowl ring before he turns 30 in May.
If that happens, Lewis, who says he has three years remaining on his current contract, is expected to ask the Ravens for a contract extension and a signing bonus that would surpass the $34.5 million recently given to Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning.
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