<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Browns agree to multi-year deal with DroughnsBy Len PasquarelliESPN.comThe Cleveland Browns, well under the projected league spending limit and expected to be aggressive from the outset once free agency begins, invested some of their salary cap room in one of their own.The team on Friday reached agreement with running back Reuben Droughns on a three-year contract extension through 2009. Droughns, who last season became the first Browns player in 20 years to rush for 1,000 yards, was entering the final year of his contract and scheduled to earn a base salary of $1.15 million.Complete details of the contract were not yet available but it is believed the extension is worth about $12 million in so-called "new money."Droughns, 27, was acquired by the Browns last March 30 in a trade that sent defensive linemen Michael Myers and Ebenezer Ekuban to the Denver Broncos. He became for Cleveland the workhorse-type back, with a physical inside running style that first-year coach Romeo Crennel favored. Droughns carried a career-high 309 times for 1,232 yards and two touchdowns.It marked the second straight 1,000-yard season for the sixth-year veteran, who logged just 40 carries for 97 yards in the first four years of his career.Principally a fullback during those first four seasons, Droughns moved to tailback in 2004 when Denver suffered a spate of injuries at the position. He responded by rushing for 1,240 yards and six touchdowns on 275 carries. But in need of defensive line help, and with plenty of depth at tailback, the Broncos dealt him to the Browns last spring.The former Oregon Duck missed some of the early conditioning sessions in Cleveland, when he was seeking a contract upgrade, then reported and became not only a productive player on the field but a leader off of it. Browns officials had identified Droughns, even during last season, as a player they hoped to sign to a longer-term contract.He becomes the third key veteran signed to an extension since last December, joining standout inside linebacker Andra Davis and defensive end Orpheus Roye.Droughns originally entered the NFL as a third-round choice of the Detroit Lions in the 2000 draft. He spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury suffered in preseason, then was released by the Lions after the 2001 season. He then signed with Denver as a free agent in 2002 and spent three seasons there.In 72 games, including 38 starts, Droughns has carried 624 times for 2,569 yards and nine touchdowns. He also has 89 receptions for 771 yards and six touchdowns.Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com.</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2353207Good, I like Reuben Droughns.
I don't know if Droughns is the answer at running back. He only had 2 touchdowns in 16 games. Only 2. That is an average of 1 touchdown every 8 games. He can carry the ball and take the damage but once he's in the redzone he's a non factor.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dawgfan @ Mar 4 2006, 10:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't know if Droughns is the answer at running back. He only had 2 touchdowns in 16 games. Only 2. That is an average of 1 touchdown every 8 games. He can carry the ball and take the damage but once he's in the redzone he's a non factor.</div>I wouldnt worry about that too much.Alot of his 'redzone struggles' is due to the troubles on offense (You cant score if your team cant help you get to the redzone) and because of the redzone playcalling. They seemed to pass alot more in the redzone then they would run the ball (As shown by the 15 Passing Touchdowns in comparison to the 4 rushing touchdowns). I would expect that number to raise significantly next season.
