Posted on Wednesday 30 March 2005 by JEC @ 12:29 am
After failing to land Baltimore second-string running back Chester Taylor, the Browns on Tuesday traded DE Ebenezer Ekuban to Denver for Reuben Droughns, the Denver back who rumbled for 1,240 yards and six touchdowns last year. Of course, the Broncos’ system inflated Droughns’ overall numbers but he still represents a significant acquisition for the Browns. A converted fullback, Droughns, 26, will back up Lee Suggs while also providing potentially explosive insurance for the Browns’ injury-prone starter. Another fantastic move by Savage and Crennel.
As for the Broncos, again, I’m having a hard time understanding why they insist on rebuilding their defensive line with Cleveland’s castoffs. That’d be like Martin Scorsese watching the cast of “Son of the Mask” and thinking, “Damn, I gotta get me some of that.”
Wow. This looks like another great move. Ekuban is not a bad player, but he just isn’t big enough to fit the new defense. Getting Droughns looks like a real coup and definitely solidifies the backfield. As a former fullback, he’ll add to a power running game.
This move also signals that the Browns don’t think any of the backs in the draft warrant a #3 pick, despite the rankings from the “experts.” If they get stuck at #3, I still think Braylon Edwards will be the pick.