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Droughns may hold out
New Browns running back wants a new contract
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Mary Kay Cabot
Plain Dealer Reporter
New Browns running back Reuben Droughns has left the team's off-season conditioning program and said Tuesday he won't be back until he has a new contract.
"We're prepared to hold out," Droughns said by phone from Denver.
Droughns, who was acquired by the Browns in a trade March 30 for Ebenezer Ekuban and Mike My ers, said the Browns were aware during trade talks that Droughns wanted a new deal. He's un der contract for about $950,000 in 2005 and $1 million in 2006. He did not say how much he wants.
"I started working out in Cleveland, and we had that [orientation camp]," Droughns said. "At that point, they told me that they did want to get a deal done. My agent [Drew Rosenhaus] gave them a proposal, but we heard nothing from them for at least 1½ weeks."
Droughns said the next thing he heard from the Browns was that they wanted him to come in and prove himself this season and see what comes of it. With that, he left Cleveland about 2½ weeks ago on the advice of Rosenhaus.
Browns General Manager Phil Savage could not be reached for comment.
"I keep hearing from everyone my whole career that I'm going to get taken care of down the road," Droughns said. "But I keep getting the short end of the stick."
Droughns wants a bigger deal after leading the Broncos with 1,240 yards and six touchdowns last season. After two seasons as a fullback in Denver, he was pressed into service at tailback because of injuries to the top two runners.
"I'm not being greedy, and I'm not looking for beaucoups bucks," he said.
"But what the Browns are telling me is that what I did last year doesn't mean diddly squat to them."
Droughns said he's upset because he thought the Browns were willing to redo the deal when they traded for him.
"I feel it's kind of unfair, but I'm sure something's going to get done," he said. "If not, we're prepared to hold out."
The Browns acquired Droughns to help carry the load with Lee Suggs. At the time, former first-round pick William Green was on the trading block and not long for this team. But on draft day, Savage said that Green has worked himself back into good standing, and that the Browns are planning to keep him as long as he shows he's dedicated.
"We need big backs," Savage said.
Droughns said he found out Tuesday that the Browns have changed their tune on Green.
"I think that's a little besides the point for what's going on with me," he said. "William is a great back, and I'd obviously love to work with him. I think I can help those guys."
Droughns, originally a third-round pick of the Lions out of Oregon in 2000, said he's disappointed not to be in Cleveland working out. He's training on his own at a rec center in Denver.
"It's the first time I've ever done anything like this," he said. "For me, it's real sad. I don't want to upset my teammates or the coaches.
"Some of the players have already called and asked where I am. But I hope they understand I'm doing what I have to do. Maybe someday they'll be in my shoes."
He said he means no disrespect to the Browns.
"I love the coaches and the organization," he said. "But in all honesty, it's something that has to be done. I'm married now, and I have to think of my family."
He said he anticipated a contract dispute in Denver, which is one of the reasons he asked to be traded. The other was that he was going to revert back to fullback there and wanted to carry the ball.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
New Browns running back wants a new contract
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Mary Kay Cabot
Plain Dealer Reporter
New Browns running back Reuben Droughns has left the team's off-season conditioning program and said Tuesday he won't be back until he has a new contract.
"We're prepared to hold out," Droughns said by phone from Denver.
Droughns, who was acquired by the Browns in a trade March 30 for Ebenezer Ekuban and Mike My ers, said the Browns were aware during trade talks that Droughns wanted a new deal. He's un der contract for about $950,000 in 2005 and $1 million in 2006. He did not say how much he wants.
"I started working out in Cleveland, and we had that [orientation camp]," Droughns said. "At that point, they told me that they did want to get a deal done. My agent [Drew Rosenhaus] gave them a proposal, but we heard nothing from them for at least 1½ weeks."
Droughns said the next thing he heard from the Browns was that they wanted him to come in and prove himself this season and see what comes of it. With that, he left Cleveland about 2½ weeks ago on the advice of Rosenhaus.
Browns General Manager Phil Savage could not be reached for comment.
"I keep hearing from everyone my whole career that I'm going to get taken care of down the road," Droughns said. "But I keep getting the short end of the stick."
Droughns wants a bigger deal after leading the Broncos with 1,240 yards and six touchdowns last season. After two seasons as a fullback in Denver, he was pressed into service at tailback because of injuries to the top two runners.
"I'm not being greedy, and I'm not looking for beaucoups bucks," he said.
"But what the Browns are telling me is that what I did last year doesn't mean diddly squat to them."
Droughns said he's upset because he thought the Browns were willing to redo the deal when they traded for him.
"I feel it's kind of unfair, but I'm sure something's going to get done," he said. "If not, we're prepared to hold out."
The Browns acquired Droughns to help carry the load with Lee Suggs. At the time, former first-round pick William Green was on the trading block and not long for this team. But on draft day, Savage said that Green has worked himself back into good standing, and that the Browns are planning to keep him as long as he shows he's dedicated.
"We need big backs," Savage said.
Droughns said he found out Tuesday that the Browns have changed their tune on Green.
"I think that's a little besides the point for what's going on with me," he said. "William is a great back, and I'd obviously love to work with him. I think I can help those guys."
Droughns, originally a third-round pick of the Lions out of Oregon in 2000, said he's disappointed not to be in Cleveland working out. He's training on his own at a rec center in Denver.
"It's the first time I've ever done anything like this," he said. "For me, it's real sad. I don't want to upset my teammates or the coaches.
"Some of the players have already called and asked where I am. But I hope they understand I'm doing what I have to do. Maybe someday they'll be in my shoes."
He said he means no disrespect to the Browns.
"I love the coaches and the organization," he said. "But in all honesty, it's something that has to be done. I'm married now, and I have to think of my family."
He said he anticipated a contract dispute in Denver, which is one of the reasons he asked to be traded. The other was that he was going to revert back to fullback there and wanted to carry the ball.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: