Disclosed is a fiber optic drop cable including at least one optical waveguide, at least one roving, and a cable jacket. In one embodiment, the at least one roving includes a resin matrix having a water-based acrylic composition that includes an ethylene-acrylic acid and a water-swellable component. The resin matrix has a percent by weight of about 10 percent or less of the flexible roving so that the at least of one roving is at least partially bonded with the cable jacket, thereby inhibiting buckling of the cable jacket. In another embodiment, a plurality of rovings are arranged in clusters in the cable for influencing the bonding between the rovings and cable jacket. Also, disclosed is a protective casing for protecting and routing optical fibers along with preconnectorized cable assemblies.