Kemp to CLE? Big Ten Trophies, Thad’s Schedule and Dangerous Journalism: While We’re Waiting…
November 12, 2014NBA takes away LeBron James’ triple-double
November 12, 2014Long-time Cleveland Browns kick returner Josh Cribbs appears to be rejoining the NFL. Cribbs, the team’s record holder for most career Kickoff return yards (8,837) and combined Kickoff and Punt return touchdowns (11), uploaded a Browns Pro Bowl photo to his Instagram feed which stated that he was “anxious to return back to NFL football.”
Despite the history and imagery, and the Browns’ woeful return game in 2014, fans would be wise to not their hopes too high as Cribbs recently had a workout for the Indianapolis Colts, alongside another former Browns receiver in Willie Snead and defensive tackle Ben Bass.
Cribbs played for the new York Jets in 2013, after being cut by Browns in March and the Oakland Raiders in August.
Cleveland’s MVP in 2009, Cribbs in his prime served as a versatile weapon, returning punts and kicks, running the ball, catching the ball, and playing a little quarterback from time to time. The 31-year-old Kent State product has seen his name bubble up amongst local media as the Browns rank 26th in the league in kick return yardage (21.6 yards per return) while being dead last in the NFL with just 3.2 yards per punt return (Philadelphia leads the league with 16.7 yards).
In a recent press conference, Browns general manager Ray Farmer dispelled any notion that the team would bring Cribbs aboard.
“I can tell you I’ve heard the name,” said Farmer. “I don’t think I’m in that boat at this point in time. I would ask, ‘Why should I?’
“I would say that question becomes who do I want to let go to sign Josh Cribbs? It’s a balancing act. Do you sign someone and let go of another guy to play a role or do you keep guys you have in multiple roles?”
38 Comments
I am certainly of the school of thought that says, “there’s probably a reason 32 teams haven’t signed Cribbs yet.”
However, the Browns desperately need to figure out this punt returner situation.
Secret WFNY ninja cam audio recording from Berea HQ….
BUZZ…”Mr. Farmer, I have a Mr. Billy “White Shoes” Johnson on line two.”
“Ask him to hold Ethel, I have Eric Metcalf on the line.”
RING RING…”Cleveland Browns, Mr. Farmer’s office, how may I help you?”
“Hi, this is Gerald McNeil, is Mr. Farmer available?”
“Please hold.”
BUZZ…”Mr. Farmer, I have a Mr. Sanders in the lobby, what should I do?”
“Send him in.”
I would think that Eric Martin would be the cut. He’s played all of one snap most weeks, and hasn’t always played even on special teams. (Last week he got a penalty.)
Yes, Cribbs is a completely one-dimensional player, but so are a couple of our special team guys and end of the bench guys when it comes down to it in games.
I’m not even saying Cribbs is the right pickup; but we need someone who can catch punts (let alone return them).
Ah, the short memory of desperate fans. Before he left – way before he he was cut by subsequent teams – Joshie was having ball security issues in addition to his losing many steps. Since the year after his first contract extension he’s never once stopped manipulating local media and fans for NFL paychecks. That doesn’t mean he should get one. At this point the outside chance of Travis Benjamin quickly regaining his confidence is probably better than Josh filling a tiny roll. Please, let’s reconize a new era. We’re no longer required to campaign for him just because Josh won’t stop his radio show bleating.
Well, I hear JFF REALLY wants to get on the field, soooo…
after Leonard fumbled last game, a friend texted me the same thing! haha
“I would ask, ‘Why should I?’
because the return game is non-existent… and that would be fine…except for the turnovers as well. to not even CONSIDER bringing in a punt returner (maybe not cribbs specifically) is negligent.
I would ask, ‘Why should I?’
no high hopes from me, but I have a feeling Cribbs can fair catch. and, if he does run 5-10yards, he can hang onto the football. those are my “hopes” for our punt returning from here on out. not sure he’s worth a roster spot though (that’d depend on if he can still be a ‘gunner’ on coverage).
Great, can he be ready in four days?
i agree. but the Browns are certainly the WORST punt-return team in the league, so what doesn’t work for the other 31 might just work for the Browns.
Shoot, I would settle for Leo “Fair Catch” Lewis at this point. At least he caught it.
was just gonna talk about the fact that he is probably just as good if not better than one or two special teamers we have.
Little known by everyone, Josh has spent the last several months in his backyard, tossing the football up as high as he can and catching it on the run, over and over and over again. He’s ready.
http://cdn2.thegloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hh_club_uncle_rico.png
so no other teams are stashing a younger, healthier, never-concussed guy with sure hands on their practice squads? You know, guys in their 20s who can still run, catch and tackle? I’m not saying the current situation is sustainable. Just saying we’re giving Ray Farmer another hoot with this idiosyncratic reaction of local fans who always default to warm and fuzzy names from old rosters. The same people outraged that Bernie ain’t the GM or at least QB coach, or that Mark Price wasn’t seriously considered.
And, with Gordon coming back in one more week, Benjamin can spend more time on special teams, cause I don’t think Hawkins, Austin, or Gabriel will be the ones losing time as a receiver. I think Benjamin getting his mojo back from last year is our best bet. I loved Cribbs too, but his time ended…
Leo Lewis?
31 teams also passed on signing Gibson, Gabriel, Williams and Crowell, they seem to be working out pretty good for us. Cribbs might not be a return beast anymore, but at this point the Browns just need someone who can catch and hang onto the ball.
RE: Gibson, Gabriel, Williams, and Crowell – that’s not necessarily true. They passed on drafting them, yes. But who’s to say that it wasn’t simply the Browns that signed them first.
Now we’re just making stuff up. Josh never did a lot of fair catching here, and there’s no reason to think you can teach a broken down 30-something ex-thrill seeker new tricks. His return game had significantly deteriorated 2 years ago and he was fumbling both punts and kick-off returns. Please, let’s move on.
I’m not necessarily for or against signing Josh Cribbs, but I can tell you with certainty that every day that Mr. Farmer doesn’t do SOMETHING about the punt return game, he is placing our playoff hopes in jeopardy. One play, one ill-timed turnover could make the difference. It’s worth noting that our GM has done a remarkable job with this roster, but there’s really no explanation for failing to address this situation.
Fair Hooker?
100%. Farmer has done a solid job, but his confidence sometimes skids right over into the hubris. I’m wondering if he’s just been waiting for an inevitable injury to make a roster spot for some team’s practice squad guy. Or waiting to slide Gabriel there once Gordon returns.
Ok I see where you’re going with this: you want to see if we can sign a package deal of Cribbs and Lawrence Vickers. Hot damn, Harv, smartest man in the room!
Hmmm. This, to me, is not a GM problem, but a coaching problem. The problem of the inability of punt returners to catch/return punts is squarely on the coaching staff. Not sure I really care that the GM hasn’t addressed this problem. It can be fixed without throwing money at it.
Dude can’t manipulate – he can just advertise in an attempt to influence at best. The reason this is a story isn’t Josh Cribbs, it’s the Browns inability to fair catch a punt with any confidence. Remember last year when Benjamin was taking the NFL to task as a punt returner? No one was talking about Cribbs at all.
It’s cruel to ever mention a possible return of St. Lawrence, even in jest. Unless you, like, know something … hey, you know something? Sometimes late at night in the early winter when the house is real quiet and First Energy Field is frozen I swear I think I hear his theme music.
If Pettine would just greet these guys with a little eye contact in the Berea hallways, they would fair catch for him.
Hope springs Agnew
But o’er the frozen fields in our minds
St. Lawrence will rumble on forever
I don’t know about that, Greg Little, but they certainly can spend more time working on the skill at practice. It’s crazy, I know, but it’s what my coaches always did – and it fixed the problem.
just wow
He was great on returns, but he was also a beast on special teams coverages. Since he has lost a step or two, I don’t know what his value on special teams (other than returning) is anymore
Benjamin has a fragile stamp on him. I get worried each time he is hit.
Gilbert isn’t playing a ton of defensive snaps. They should give him a shot. I know they want to protect a 1st round pick from injury, but I’d take the risk.
What type of twisted logic are you using? Name ONE player who was signed by 32 teams.
Hey Harv, I am sure those guys exist. Honestly, I’m just baffled that we have had such issues at PR. Heck, Miles Austin has sure hands 😉
heh! touche!!!
yeah, why not Miles Austin? But probably he’s never done it competently and it’s weird to ask a veteran to learn a new position mid-season rather than in training camp. At this point I’m reduced to counting on Ray Farmer making us all look panicky and stupid, again.
This position is normally reserved for up and coming players. I don’t know if we can afford a roster spot for a pure punt returner. New kick off rules make a kick returner nearly irrelevant, and his history has shown he lacks the discipline to run a proper route.