124 Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 (from ESPN.com) Browns agree to multi-year deal with Droughns By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com The 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Troll Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 I'm a big Rueben Droughns fan. That dude is a bull. I love when he breaks out the Walter leg kick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted March 4, 2006 Author Share Posted March 4, 2006 I'm a big Rueben Droughns fan. As am I. Glad to see he's remaining in Cleveland where he's for sure won over the starting spot at RB for them. Lee Suggs and William Green have turned out to be complete jokes and it looks like Droughns wasn't just a guy who could only run well in Denver....I remember watching the Browns / Steelers game on Sunday Night last year and he was just a beast. Nasty. Glad to see he got the $$$ he deserved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smizzy Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 I'm a big Rueben Droughns fan. That dude is a bull. I love when he breaks out the Walter leg kick. Wow. Me too. he is a little pittbull who loves to fight for extra yards. Good job by Romeo & Co. to give this kid some extra coin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Troll Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 My favorite Rueben Droughns moment: Against the Titans this year, Pac-Man Jones is in his face talking **** as the play moves downfield. Right before the whistle blows, Rueben knocks the ever-loving **** out of him and drops him on his ass. Seriously just knocked the bejesus out of him. I watched PrimeTime/NFL Countdown hoping to see it again, but they never showed it. *I edited this post because I'm starting to buzz and I remembered it wrong the first time.* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smizzy Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 My favorite Rueben Droughns moment: Against the Titans this year, Pac-Man Jones is in his face talking ****. Rueben swats the little bitch down like a fly on the next play. Seriously just knocked the bejesus out of him. I watched PrimeTime/NFL Countdown hoping to see it again, but they never showed it. he's one of my Keeper back in the FRN FF league. Droughns/Foster/Dillion/Rudi & houston Not bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smizzy Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 *I edited this post because I'm starting to buzz and I remembered it wrong the first time.* lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 Anyone else notice the subtle intelligence with the extension? He's 27 years old, coming off two good seasons. Do they give him a $10M+ SB on a 5-year deal? No. They extended him through age 30 which is perfect (particularly since he doesn't have a lot of mileage on him). Even if he's still producing at the same level at the end of this contract they'll look elsewhere & not be the fools to give him a lengthy contract through age 35+. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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