For Immediate Release
March 3, 2006

RB REUBEN DROUGHNS SIGNED TO THREE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION

The Cleveland Browns have signed RB Reuben Droughns to a three-year contract extension, the club announced today.  Droughns started all 16 games last season and ranked sixth in the AFC with 1,232 yards rushing.  The contract extension keeps Droughns signed with the club through the 2009 season.

We are extremely pleased to get this extension accomplished with Reuben,” said Cleveland Browns Senior Vice President and General Manager, Phil Savage.  “The discussion to extend Reuben’s contract was first introduced last spring and we wanted to evaluate Reuben’s performance over the course of the season and have him show us what he can do in a Cleveland Browns uniform.  He ended the season with 1,232 yards rushing.  It was the right and honorable thing to do to give Reuben new contract.  We are anxious to give him the opportunity to have a focused off-season where he can emerge as a leader on offense.”

Droughns, 5-11 and 215 lbs., became the first Browns RB since 1985 to top the 1,000-yard mark as he finished with 1,232 yards rushing and set a franchise record with 309 carries and two TDs in 2005.  Droughns rushed for over 100 yards on three occasions and had a season-high 166 yards rushing, including a career-long 75-yard rushing TD, vs. Miami on Nov. 20, 2005.

“I am very excited to get this extension done and now I can focus on getting ready for the 2006 season,” said Droughns.  “This deal will allow me to establish myself as a member of the Cleveland Browns and be a part of a team that is improving and an organization on the rise.”

Droughns joined the Browns on March 30, 2005 in a trade with the Denver Broncos for DE Ebenezer Ekuban and DT Michael Myers.  Droughns has rushed for over 1,000 yards in two consecutive seasons (1,240 yards with Denver in 2004; and 1,232 yards with Cleveland in 2005).

Droughns was originally a third-round choice, 81^st overall, by the Detroit Lions in the 2000 NFL Draft.  Droughns is a six-year NFL veteran with Detroit, Denver and Cleveland and has played in 72 career games, including 38 starts.  During his career, Droughns has rushed for 2,569 yards on 624 attempts (4.1 avg.) and nine rushing TDs.