Giants Trade for RB Droughns

gibbs4president · Post by **gibbs4president** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 5:29 pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2793305

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

Filling their need for a proven running back to team with youngster Brandon Jacobs, the New York Giants on Friday acquired Reuben Droughns from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for wide receiver Tim Carter, ESPN.com has learned.

Cleveland has been shopping Droughns in trade talks since signing unrestricted free agent tailback Jamal Lewis to a one-year contract earlier this week. The Giants were seeking a tailback to replace the retired Tiki Barber.

Droughns, 28, should provide the Giants a solid insurance policy and a veteran and tested back who can share the ball-carrying chores with Jacobs, a two-year veteran. Jacobs has been the complementary back to Barber, playing mostly in short-yardage and goal-line situations in his two NFL seasons.

A fourth-round pick in the 2005 draft, Jacobs has logged only 134 career carries for 522 yards, but has scored 16 touchdowns. Last season, the former Southern Illinois standout rushed for 423 yards and nine TDs on 96 attempts.

Droughns came to the Browns from Denver in a 2005 trade after rushing for 1,240 yards in 2004. He gained 1,232 yards in 2005, his first year in Cleveland, and the Browns rewarded him with a three-year contract extension worth $12 million. But Droughns slumped to 758 yards in 2006 and there have been some off-field problems in the past year.

He was due a $1.75 million roster bonus on March 17 but the Browns wanted to avoid paying it, especially after acquiring Lewis, who has already been penciled in as the starter. Droughns is scheduled to have a base salary of $1.25 million for 2007 and is due base salaries of $1.75 million for '08 and $2.75 million for '09 under his Cleveland contract. It was not immediately known if he reworked his contract to help accommodate the trade.

For Carter, the deal represents a chance for a fresh start after five injury-marred seasons with the Giants.

"Tim is absolutely excited about this opportunity," agent Pat Dye Jr. said on Friday afternoon. "In discussing Tim's situation with the Giants, we wanted to identify some teams who might be a good fit for him if New York decided to deal him. Obviously the Browns, who were looking for the kind of deep-threat dimension he brings to the table, were the most proactive."

Carter, 27, was a second-round choice of the Giants in 2002. The former Auburn standout possesses sprinter's speed, but a series of injuries have kept him from fulfilling his potential. He has 72 career receptions for 967 yards and three touchdowns in 33 games, including 11 starts. Last season, Carter started eight games and had 22 catches for 253 yards and two touchdowns.

In an active market, Droughns is the fourth starting-caliber tailback to be traded in the past week. The other tailbacks to be traded were Tatum Bell (from Denver to Detroit), Thomas Jones (from Chicago to the New York Jets) and Willis McGahee (from Buffalo to Baltimore).

brad7686 · Post by **brad7686** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:02 pm

If i were them i would just give it to jacobs constantly. He is going to be a good one. Droughns is a product of Denver and is not very good at all.

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:40 pm

brad7686 wrote:If i were them i would just give it to jacobs constantly. He is going to be a good one. Droughns is a product of Denver and is not very good at all.

From what I've read they plan to make Jacobs the feature back but were uncomfortable with the notion of having him as their lone back headed into next season. This is more of a just-in-case signing.

Skins2daGrave · Post by **Skins2daGrave** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:00 pm

brad7686 wrote:If i were them i would just give it to jacobs constantly. He is going to be a good one. Droughns is a product of Denver and is not very good at all.

Clinton Portis is a product of Denver...its not Droughns fault Cleveland had one of the worst Offensive Lines in the league. i think he's talented and could succeed with a decent O-line

Redskins Rule · Post by **Redskins Rule** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:15 am

Now the Giants have two big backs for us to worry about! Normally teams have the one fast and one big guy!

Personally, I think this is dumb! Replacing Barber with Droughns is laughable!!!

brad7686 · Post by **brad7686** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 3:26 am

Skins2daGrave wrote:
brad7686 wrote:If i were them i would just give it to jacobs constantly. He is going to be a good one. Droughns is a product of Denver and is not very good at all.

Clinton Portis is a product of Denver...its not Droughns fault Cleveland had one of the worst Offensive Lines in the league. i think he's talented and could succeed with a decent O-line

Well Portis' yards per carry has dropped over a whole yard since he left denver so people can fight the denver thing all they want it is a FACT that it makes people look better than they are.

fredp45 · Post by **fredp45** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:39 pm

...and Portis played with Brunell who scared NO one. Defenses played 7-8 in the box and dared us to let Brunnel pass.

Portis in the backfield with Campbell will be much more unpredictable. I'd love to see defenses bring 7-8 into the box with Campbell...

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:02 pm

A case could be made right now that we have not only the best RB in the NFC East in Portis but also possibly the 2nd best in Betts - :wink:

gibbs4president · Post by **gibbs4president** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:22 pm

SkinsJock wrote:A case could be made right now that we have not only the best RB in the NFC East in Portis but also possibly the 2nd best in Betts -

Except for that whole Brian Westbrook on the Eagles problem.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:40 pm

gibbs4president wrote:
SkinsJock wrote:A case could be made right now that we have not only the best RB in the NFC East in Portis but also possibly the 2nd best in Betts -

Except for that whole Brian Westbrook on the Eagles problem.

well.... - we still have the best RB and this year I predict both Portis and Betts will be a big part in setting new Redskins' rushing records in both yards gained on the ground and also for yards gained in the air. :lol:

gibbs4president · Post by **gibbs4president** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 8:03 pm

SkinsJock wrote:
gibbs4president wrote:
SkinsJock wrote:A case could be made right now that we have not only the best RB in the NFC East in Portis but also possibly the 2nd best in Betts -

Except for that whole Brian Westbrook on the Eagles problem.

well.... - we still have the best RB and this year I predict both Portis and Betts will be a big part in setting new Redskins' rushing records in both yards gained on the ground and also for yards gained in the air.

Yeah I know what you mean. If they can both stay healthy, the offense could be very dangerous next year.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 10:41 pm

Fios wrote:
brad7686 wrote:If i were them i would just give it to jacobs constantly. He is going to be a good one. Droughns is a product of Denver and is not very good at all.

From what I've read they plan to make Jacobs the feature back but were uncomfortable with the notion of having him as their lone back headed into next season. This is more of a just-in-case signing.

What's interesting is that they signed someone who has pretty much the same gameplan as Jacobs. Pound the ball.

The thing that scared me about the Giants offense was Tiki Barber just blowing by your defense. It certainly wasn't Eli "Interception" Manning. I guess now with the Giants having two plodders, we won't have to worry about that anymore.

redskingush · Post by **redskingush** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:22 am

No matter who the G-Men signed, Its still no Tiki Barber whick equals good things for us Skins Fans.

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:25 am

redskingush wrote:No matter who the G-Men signed, Its still no Tiki Barber whick equals good things for us Skins Fans.

Agreed and I was very pleased to see they were unable to get McGahee

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:28 am

Fios wrote:
redskingush wrote:No matter who the G-Men signed, Its still no Tiki Barber whick equals good things for us Skins Fans.

Agreed and I was very pleased to see they were unable to get McGahee

From a friend who is a huge Bills fan (lives up there), he thinks McGahee is more hype than substance. 3.8 yards per carry...and he has lost his explosiveness. 8 runs total over 20 yards the past 2 seasons.

Also thought Clements was incredibly inconsistent, and was shocked to see how much the Niners threw at him. But he said he'll miss London Fletcher-Baker, so that makes me happy...

redskingush · Post by **redskingush** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:33 am

I live about 50 miles from 1 Bills Drive in Orchard Park and I have no clue what this team is trying to accomplish. Theyve gone out and adressed the OLine needs, but now have no one to block for. Defensively, they let there best player in Clements walk away, Flethcher is not the best but on that Defense you knew he was there. It seem like there going to make some draft day splashes if they expect to field a team this season.

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:15 am

PulpExposure wrote:
Fios wrote:
redskingush wrote:No matter who the G-Men signed, Its still no Tiki Barber whick equals good things for us Skins Fans.

Agreed and I was very pleased to see they were unable to get McGahee

From a friend who is a huge Bills fan (lives up there), he thinks McGahee is more hype than substance. 3.8 yards per carry...and he has lost his explosiveness. 8 runs total over 20 yards the past 2 seasons.

Also thought Clements was incredibly inconsistent, and was shocked to see how much the Niners threw at him. But he said he'll miss London Fletcher-Baker, so that makes me happy...

I looked at McGahee's numbers a few days ago and I was very surprised but I'm still of the belief that a change-of-scenery is exactly what he needs.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:03 am

Fios wrote:
PulpExposure wrote:
Fios wrote:
redskingush wrote:No matter who the G-Men signed, Its still no Tiki Barber whick equals good things for us Skins Fans.

Agreed and I was very pleased to see they were unable to get McGahee

From a friend who is a huge Bills fan (lives up there), he thinks McGahee is more hype than substance. 3.8 yards per carry...and he has lost his explosiveness. 8 runs total over 20 yards the past 2 seasons.

Also thought Clements was incredibly inconsistent, and was shocked to see how much the Niners threw at him. But he said he'll miss London Fletcher-Baker, so that makes me happy...

I looked at McGahee's numbers a few days ago and I was very surprised but I'm still of the belief that a change-of-scenery is exactly what he needs.

What he needs is an offensive line. What the Ravens have is a big gaping hole at RT