While We’re Waiting… Garcia Released, Browns Depth Chart, and Shooting Stars Review
September 8, 2009Michael Brantley Looking Good Thus Far
September 8, 2009It appears to be make or break time for Josh Cribbs in regard to his stance on his current contract. If you recall, Cribbs skipped the early portions of the voluntary minicamp with teammate Phil Dawson, as both players were on a strike of sorts due to their respective situations..
Cribbs then was allegedly told to come to camp and that the team would consider increasing his pay – he is currently in the third year of his six-year, $6.7 million deal. Thus, Cribbs came to camp and did not hold out during any portion of the mandatory minicamp.
He did so while putting a bit of a caveat, claiming that he would consider holding out when things mattered most: the regular season. But with the team apparently not budging regarding Cribbs’ quest for a pay increase, will the special teams star stay true to his word?
If judging by this week’s practice, it doesn’t appear so as No. 16 was present at yesterday’s practice as the Browns gear up for opening weekend against the Vikings. And he was doing a lot more than simply giving the defense a look at what they may find in Percy Harvin.
At this stage, Cribbs has very little leverage beyond his importance to the team. If he were to sit out, he would not make any money, forfeiting one week’s salary at the considerably low rate. Even if he were to demand a trade, the team owns his rights through 2012 – the beauty of the NFL contract.
With any contract debate, there are two sides to the story with supporters of each argument. Cribbs signed a six-year deal; he should be required to hold up his end. But in the same, his contract is in no way guaranteed. And while he was “just a special teams guy,” the official depth chart lists Cribbs as the starting wide receiver opposite Braylon Edwards. Needless to say, there are not many starting wide receivers bringing home less than $1 million this season.
Of course, the team may want to see what they can get out of the talented return man in the passing game before they make any moves with their wallet. Regardless of which side of the debate you are on, it appears that even without a new deal, Josh Cribbs will be in uniform come Sunday at 1PM. At this point, he can prove whether or not he is worth more than his current wage.
For the sake of the Browns offense, I hope he more than proves his point.
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(image via stampy74/Flickr)
54 Comments
@ Pittsburgh is for Man Lovers…. That was a GREAT link. It was hilarious. True too. My favorite part was the comments after the post. The one guy mentioned the Steelers fans and their unlicensed jersey’s HAHAHA I seriously laughed out loud when I read that. I had to read the Browns one just to check it out. It was tame compared to the Steelers one. The author seemed less angry and more upset at our lost tradition.
[…] most of us agree that he is underpaid even as a special teams player, the waters warmed up with the placement of Cribbs as the team’s second receiver opposite Braylon Edwards. Of […]
[…] has been looking for a contract extension for a little over a year now, and Mangini stated that talks are ongoing. It comes as no surprise […]
[…] has taken the high road through most of the season. In what looked like a potential holdout situation, Cribbs has participated in mandatory camps and has put his body on the line through each of the […]