Reliable Droughns has Shanahan's confidence

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Oct 18, 2004 | by FRANK SCHWAB THE GAZETTE

OAKLAND, Calif. - Even though the Denver Broncos were up by four touchdowns in the fourth quarter Sunday and Reuben Droughns had more than 30 carries, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan kept calling Droughns' number.

By the time Droughns' day was done he had 38 carries, a Broncos' record for a non-overtime game. The number of carries was especially high because the Broncos led 21-3 at halftime, 31-3 at the start of the fourth quarter and they had backups Quentin Griffin and Tatum Bell available.

Shanahan's explanation: When it started raining in the second half, he wanted the sure-handed Droughns to carry the ball to help run out the clock.

Griffin has fumbled three times this season -- one in each of the first three games. The defense recovered all of them.

"Normally you don't give a guy the ball that many times, but when it's raining like that and the conditions are like that you want to keep on going with the guy that's got you there," Shanahan said. "Reuben had the ability if he didn't feel real good to take himself out because he knew we had (Griffin) and Tatum there, and he felt good enough to keep going, so it says a lot about him."

Bell got his first carry with 7:45 remaining in the game. Griffin had only one carry at that point; he finished with four.

Bell's first carry was the last offensive play of a drive in which Droughns carried the ball five straight plays. Bell and Griffin split carries at tailback for Denver's final series, which started with 5:47 left in the game.

Droughns has rushed 68 times the past two weeks and with his running style, in which he initiates contact and fights for extra yards, he could wear down if he continues to get that many carries.

"I took some shots today, didn't I?" Droughns said. "If you guys go back to my college, my high school and junior college days, that's the type of runner I am. It feels like I was getting stronger towards the end of the game, so I can take a pounding."

Last season, Shanahan was criticized for leaving Clinton Portis in a game against Cleveland although Portis had 37 carries and the Broncos were in field-goal range in overtime.

On Portis' 38th carry of the game, he sprained an ankle and missed two games.

Droughns got through Sunday's game without problems.

"I'm bruised up, but I'm feeling good," he said.

Droughns rushed for 176 yards and a touchdown.

"I'm really proud," said Shanahan, who added that Droughns is now the permanent starter at tailback. "He kept on hanging in there and fighting."

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