Droughns, Roye vow quick return

09.25.2006

Less than 24 hours after getting bad news about their previous game, the Browns received some good news for their next contest.

That is, two key players who missed Sunday's disappointing, nearly last-play 15-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens because of shoulder injuries suffered at Cincinnati Sept. 17 -- running back Reuben Droughns and defensive end Orpheus Roye -- said Monday they will return for next Sunday's road game against the Oakland Raiders.

"Yeah, you can count me in," Droughns said, speaking publicly for the first time since getting hurt. "I thought about playing yesterday, but it was better that I didn't and risk getting hurt worse. All it would have taken for that to happen is someone trying to rip the ball out of my hands."

Added Roye, "I don't know the odds or anything, but I give myself a great chance to play."

This will no doubt provide a big boost to a Browns team that, while losing another game to fall to 0-3, turned in its best performance of the young season, playing the undefeated Ravens (3-0), who have the top-rated defense in the NFL, right down to the wire.

In fact, save for an interception that occurred in the end zone late in the game when quarterback Charlie Frye got hit by linebacker Bart Scott just as he threw, the Browns, ahead 14-12 at the time, probably would have won.

"The team made a step forward," Browns head coach Romeo Crennel said. "If we can continue to make a step forward, there's a reason for optimism going forward. We have a chance to have a competitive team."

With Roye and Droughns, though, the Browns are unquestionably a more competitive team -- a better team. Roye has been arguably the Browns' best defensive player since arriving in 2000 as a free agent from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Droughns last season became the first Brown in two decades to rush for 1,000 yards in a season when he had 1,232.

Without Roye, the Browns were not able to use their normal rotation at end. That could have played a role in the defense appearing to tire and allowing the Ravens, following the interception, to drive from their own 20 to the Cleveland 33, from which ex-Brown Matt Stover kicked the game-winning 52-yard field goal with 20 seconds remaining.

And without Droughns, the offense really struggled to run the ball, getting just 38 yards in 19 carries. With or without him, it would have been difficult to do much against the league's No. 1-ranked run defense, but with him, the Browns would have had a much better chance to get those tough inside yards against Baltimore's eight-men-in-the-box alignment.

"I think Reuben would have helped, but I think we have to block better as well," Crennel said. "If we block better, there are some yards to be had. We didn't block well enough."

Fortunately for the Browns, ends Alvin McKinley, Ethan Kelley (who moved from nose tackle) and Simon Fraser all picked up their game.

On offense, running back Jason Wright had 15 rushing attempts, equaling his career total entering the game, and ran hard despite not having many holes. Included in that was a 13-yarder. In addition, rookie fullback Lawrence Vickers caught a 29-yard screen pass.

"We really balled out there," Droughns said. "It was just a shame not to get a win out of it."

Roye said the same thing about the defense.

Maybe their presence in Oakland -- if they don't have any setbacks in practice this week -- will be the difference for the Browns in getting that elusive first win.

LONG MEMORY: Droughns wants to play Sunday because he's a gamer, and also because he wants to atone for what happened to him in the Browns' 9-7 win at Oakland late last year. After the Browns got a first-and-goal situation at the Oakland 4 in the opening quarter, Droughns failed to score in four plays. "When you don't get in on four plays from the goal line, you want to get that back," he said.

MIXED SIGNALS. Crennel had an explanation for why Scott was able to get to Frye so easily to help force that key interception. "There was a miscommunication on who was protecting the Baltimore defensive front," he said. "The front wasn't recognized the way we wanted it to be," he said.

QUOTABLES: "It's too early to write us off. It's a long season." -- Droughns on the Browns staying positive.

"If a play that is called works, it's a good play call. If it doesn't work, it's a bad play call. That's the way it's going to be." -- Crennel repeating what he has already said many times regarding play calling.

"Losses like the one Sunday are very tough. The next game can't get here fast enough." -- fullback Terrelle Smith on the Browns playing the Raiders and putting the Ravens contest behind them.

"You could taste the end zone. You could almost taste the victory." -- Browns right guard Cosey Coleman on the Browns, then ahead 14-12, getting a first down at the Baltimore 4 late in the game and having a chance to seal the victory with a touchdown before the interception occurred.

"I don't know where it was the first two weeks, but yesterday we let it all hang out defensively. We need to do that the rest of the season." -- McKinley on the intensity with which the defense played against the Ravens.