Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
BEREA, Ohio - Slimmer and speedier than a year ago, Reuben Droughns has quickly moved to the cusp of hitting a big, round number for the Browns.
Coming off a 166-yard performance against Miami on Sunday, Droughns has rushed for 868 yards in 10 games, leaving him 132 yards shy of becoming Cleveland's first 1,000-yard rusher since Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner in 1985.
The nearly 20-season drought is the NFL's longest.
"I understand the streak the Browns have been on," he said. "I definitely want to give something back to the fans, and hopefully we can do it real soon."
Droughns could get to 1,000 this Sunday at Minnesota. And if he does, he doesn't plan to stop at 1,001. Now that he has hit his stride, Droughns is confident he can become the only Browns back other than Hall of Famer Jim Brown to eclipse 1,300 in a season.
"With those offensive lineman," said Droughns, raising on his toes to peer over a huddle of reporters toward the offensive linemen's corner of the locker room, "I really do believe so."
Droughns' confidence is soaring after his most productive game in his first season with Cleveland. Last Sunday he ripped off a 75-yard touchdown run the first time he touched the ball and finished with a season-high 30 carries, and the Browns were able to build a big lead and then use Droughns to protect it.
SEAU NOT DONE YET: Junior Seau is out for another season with a calf injury but doesn't want that to be how his 16-year career fades into history. So he hopes to play in 2006. Even if he has to change uniforms.
"The plan for next year is that I'm going to be healthy and ready to play with two legs rather than one," the Dolphins linebacker said when it was determined he will be placed on the injured reserve list for the second straight season. "So I'll be back. It might not be here, but I'll be back."
BILLS: Tight end Mark Campbell missed his second straight practice because of a hamstring injury and is questionable to play against Carolina.
BRONCOS: Tailback Tatum Bell was inactive for Thursday's game against Dallas because of a bruised chest sustained Sunday. He practiced during the week after being hurt in the third quarter of Denver's 27-0 win over the Jets. ... Kicker Jason Elam, who strained his calf while warming up for the Jets game, was active Thursday.
COWBOYS: Cornerback Anthony Henry was inactive against Denver, sitting out for the second time in three games because of a groin injury. Henry, who injured his groin Oct. 30 against Arizona, had been listed as probable.
JETS: Three days after bungling a chance to end the speculation about Herm Edwards' future, Jets owner Woody Johnson showed up Wednesday to tell reporters that Edwards is performing "fabulously," remarking several times, "I want him here."
Two hours later Johnson, who doesn't address the team that often, gathered the players on the practice field and tried to defuse the story he helped create. Recalling the owner's words, center Pete Kendall said, "He said it straight out: Herm is the coach this year and the coach next year."