Before he signed his three-year contract extension that assures him of playing his prime years with the Browns, running back Reuben Droughns had a request for General Manager Phil Savage.

"I said, Get us some good free agents, some veterans,' " Droughns said Saturday. "Veteran leadership in the locker room is something a successful team always is going to need. That leadership helps the younger players."

Savage is poised to acquire some quality veteran players in free agency -- as soon as the NFL settles its tenuous labor situation.

If the dispute is not resolved today, free agency will begin 12:01 a.m. Monday and the Browns will have about $20 million in salary-cap room to spend in the market.

If the dispute results in an extension of the collective bargaining agreement, the salary cap would be increased by about $10 million and the Browns would have that much more at their disposal. But the start of free agency again would be postponed a few days.

"This is like waiting for Christmas. You want to sneak a peek at some of the presents," Savage said.

Christmas came early for Droughns in the form of a three-year contract extension worth $12 million. He earned it by rushing for 1,232 yards in his first year with the Browns.

Droughns, 27, could have played the 2006 season under his former contract and been a free agent in 2007. Without a CBA extension, the salary cap would be abolished in 2007, which could mean unlimited spending on players.

But Droughns would rather have the bird in hand. Former Pro Bowl rushers Stephen Davis and Mike Anderson recently were released by their teams. Franchise backs Shaun Alexander, Edgerrin James and Jamal Lewis will be free agents this year, and teams are not exactly lining up to throw money at them.

"That kind of scares you, doesn't it?" Droughns said. "People are getting cut to clear up cap space. Yeah, that's in the back of your mind. But the Browns have been loyal to me. I'm excited to get this done."

Despite a hesitancy on the part of the coaches to make Droughns a workhorse back last season, he broke the franchise record with 309 rushing attempts. Droughns ran on fumes the last month of the season, out of gas and banged up from being the offense's only focal point.

Savage and coach Romeo Crennel have cited the need to support Droughns with a change-of-pace back, perhaps Lee Suggs or Jason Wright, or somebody new.

Droughns has risen to the status of feature back after humble beginnings as a special teams player and backup fullback. He's not keen on giving back any playing time.

"I feel I'm capable of lasting through the season," he said. "I'm going to be here all off-season. I'll be in better shape [in 2006]."

Droughns' new deal leaves Savage with only one piece of business before attacking free agency. He's trying to re-sign left tackle L.J. Shelton.

"I'm going to give him a call and hopefully convince him to come back here," Droughns said.

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