Suggs, Green both happy with role (for now)

One rushed for over 100 yards, the other caught five passes for 100 yards.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CLEVELAND -- For one game at least, both the Browns running backs were happy. And winning had a lot to do with it.
"When we're not playing catch-up, we're able to work our offense and get me and Lee [Suggs] involved," said William Green, who had 115 yards in Sunday's win over Cincinnati. "Bottom line, the offensive line just wore those guys out."
Green became the first Browns running back to gain 100 yards in a game since Suggs did it last year against -- guess who? -- the Bengals. Green missed that game after being suspended for the second half of the season after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
"It's a part of life," Green said, when asked about dealing with adversity over the last two years. "You've just got to bounce back. That's what I've been doing."
Green has had his ups and downs this season -- he's been unhappy about his role in the offense since Suggs returned from a neck stinger three weeks ago -- but no one was complaining after Sunday's win.
Winning most important
"That is the most important thing," Green said. "It doesn't matter how much you have if you don't get a win. It's not worth much at all."
Green's last 100-yard game came last October against Oakland, when he ran for 145 yards. He's since been overshadow by Suggs, who missed most of last season with injuries. Suggs caught five passes for 100 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, but had just 19 yards rushing on 13 carries.
"It is not uncomfortable," Suggs said of the running back rotation. "When I was in the game I was fresh and ready to go and I'm sure Will was probably the same way."
Neither player is enamored with the rotation, but they're making the best of it.
"It's a difficult situation," said Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia. "It's tough to keep either one on the sideline. It worked today, but it may not work every week."
Smith helps both
Both backs are also getting comfortable running behind fullback Terrelle Smith -- "You can't say enough about that guy; he smokes people," said offensive lineman Ryan Tucker -- and it didn't hurt that the Browns were playing a struggling defense.
Cincinnati entered the game giving up an average of 168 yards on the ground. Cleveland had 139 yards rushing, but also threw for 310.
"We're finally getting it together, getting on the same page," Suggs said. "The goal each game is to play better."
scalzo@vindy.com