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Four Broncos on DL return to face former team

Oct 17, 2006 - 11:56 PM Denver (4-1) at Cleveland (1-4) Sunday 4:05 pm EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- The Denver Broncos are the first team in 72 years to allow just one touchdown in their first five games. They have a quartet of former Cleveland Browns to thank for some of their success.

Four starters along the Denver defensive line return to face their former team Sunday when the Broncos meet the Browns.

Defensive tackles Gerard Warren, Michael Myers and ends Ebenezer Ekuban and Kenard Lang all start on the line for Denver, which has allowed just 37 points this season.

Warren, Myers and Ekuban all came to the Broncos in trades before the 2005 season. Lang was signed as a free agent after being released by the Browns following the 2005 campaign.

Ekuban and linebacker Patrick Chukwurah lead the club with 2 1/2 sacks apiece.

Broncos defensive line coach Andre Patterson also came to Denver after serving in the same capacity with Cleveland in 2003-04. He is in his second season with the Broncos.

Denver is the first team to surrender just one touchdown in its first five games since the 1934 Detroit Lions allowed just one in their first seven contests.

The Broncos have given up just two field goals in wins over Baltimore (13-3) and Oakland (13-3) the last two weeks. They have gone eight quarters without allowing a TD.

Breaking through against the Broncos may be a challenge for the Browns, who have surpassed 17 points just once in five games.

Browns quarterback Charlie Frye, who is in his first full season as a starter, leads the NFL with nine interceptions. He will have to deal with a Denver secondary that features Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey and hard-hitting safety John Lynch.

The Browns enter the contest coming off their bye after a 20-12 loss at Carolina two weeks ago. Frye threw for 173 yards and two interceptions.

One of the bright spots offensively for the Browns has been tight end Kellen Winslow, who has returned from two injury-plagued seasons to lead the team with 30 catches.