While We’re Waiting… Mo Will’s Value, Charlie Weis to KC, and Evan Turner’s Return
January 7, 2010Browns’ Silence on Cribbs Situation is Deafening
January 7, 2010Talk about a quick honeymoon phase. Within 72 hours of landing in Cleveland, Browns president Mike Holmgren has experienced his first rough patch with a player on his team as well as fans of his franchise.
During his Tuesday afternoon press conference, Holmgren stated that he “believes players should be rewarded for what they do.” This, of course, was in reference to one Josh Cribbs and his ongoing contract desires. Holmgren also stated that the issues that arise come between the team and the player’s representation.
“I want Josh here,” said Holmgren. “Now, he has three years left on his existing contract so it’s a little unprecedented to start doing things this early in a contract like that. Having said that,” he continued, “a player should get what he deserves and (Cribbs) has been a fine player. It’s just that business part of it that we’re going through now. We’re trying. I hope how we do that is good enough.”
And as of approximately 6PM last night, “good enough” would not be the term used by Josh Cribbs and his agent J.R. Rickert.
Cribbs took to Twitter to discuss what transpired between the two sides.
“Thanks everyone. I love playing for the Browns and put my all in to it, but it doesn’t look good [for] me at this point on returning… I don’t believe I made the to do list for the team in 2010…”
Rickert was not far behind.
“I do not understand how Dawn Aponte and Mike Holmgren can defend their position, but they are alienating one of their best players. 1.4 per year is NOT even in the top 10 in the league for kick returners…..Are you kidding me or what?? This is one the best special teams players in the history of the game and a player who has the ability to be a game changer at any moment”
As expected, Browns fans were incensed by the words typed by the fan favorite. Replies were predominantly in the form of disgust with the organization, the one that has strung the return man extraordinaire on for the last few years with promises of getting compensated for all of his work.
In a recent radio interview, Cribbs expressed that he felt he was doing things correctly – not holding out, taking on expanded roles, giving 100 percent despite the team record or current game score.
Cribbs and Rickert are reportedly seeking a contract that ranges from $2.8-3.2 million per season. As Rickert stated, the Browns offered $1.4 million with incentives that could maximize the annual pay at $2 million. The Browns offer is being described as a “take it or leave it.” The OBR has a quote from Browns representative Dawn Aponte:
“It’ll be the same offer tomorrow, the same offer in March, and the same offer in September.”
Or as Jerod Morris put best:
“The Cleveland Browns, in their infinite wisdom (you know, the same wisdom that has guided them to so many winning seasons since rejoining the league in 1999…), have decided that it is fair and reasonable to offer Josh Cribbs significantly less money than Andre Davis and Roscoe Parrish make per year.”
Yes, that Andre Davis.
Other WRs who make more than $1.4 million and aren’t “every down” players: Marty Booker, Sam Hurd, Rashied Davis, Greg Camarillo, Brian Finneran, Jordy Nelson, Arnaz Battle, Brandon Jones, Reggie Brown, Javon Walker, and fellow return man Antwan Randle El ($4 million in 2009). And do not forget Cribbs’ importance on return coverage as well.
Given that, Team Cribbs has reportedly said that he feels “deeply disrespected” and feels that he has been lied to for over two seasons, regardless of what regime is in place. Rickert went on record to say that if the Browns do not improve their offer, his client will never step foot back in the Browns facility and that Cribbs/Rickert will push for a trade come March. Of course, Rickert would need permission to shop his client to other teams within the NFL.
Cribbs’ quotes from later in the night speak a little louder, as the “in the moment” emotion was hours past. Attending the Cavaliers game, Cribbs received a standing ovation from fans during a timeout.
“Thanks for cheering me up I really needed it everyone. It feels like I’ve been betrayed by my best friend.”
Cribbs is due to make just over $700,000 next season, making the Browns offer one of an additional $500,000 – or half of what Team Cribbs desires.
Given what Cribbs has meant to this Browns franchise since joining as an undrafted rookie, it is understandably a tough place for Holmgren and the Browns. Randy Lerner is one of the individuals who “promised” Cribbs a new contract; Holmgren was brought in to show the fans that Lerner is in fact serious about getting this team on the right track. A player that Cribbs is consistently compared to at this stage is Chicago’s Devin Hester – a player who is playing on a contract that pays him upwards of $5.5 million per year. Cribbs is looking for approximately half of that deal, which was signed a handful of years ago.
Of course, taking matters public via Twitter and an interview with Fox 8 may not be thought highly of by the Browns front office. Holmgren has dealt with contract issues of fan favorites in his past, most notably Walter Jones. Jones was not given a contract extension in 2002 and skipped the first two games prior to signing a one-year deal.
How he deals with his first contract dispute in Cleveland remains to be seen.
—
Related: Examining Cribbs’ contract situation [No Logo Needed]
(image via Flickr)
61 Comments
Cribbs does need to get paid. When he gets paid is a different matter. Decide on a coach and GM first. Look at the type of program they want to build and then find where Josh fits. Make some decisions on how we can get complementary players in the draft or free agency. Then pay him because the Browns have plan and are doing it with a purpose and vision in mind. This isn’t fantasy football. Paying Cribbs, with an undefined position, has implications on where the team can spend going forward.
I can appreciate Josh being anxious in advance of an uncapped year where he stands to make more than in other years, but we can’t get on Holmgren less than a week into the job and hold him accountable for the missteps of those before him. This is how bad situations become like quicksand and sink quickly – like the Browns have been doing for the last 10 years.
hey dead horse, c’mere (whap, whap). OK final thought re: Cribbs, contracts, performance, etc. It seems to me that while the contract he signed has not evolved/been renegotiated, Mr. Cribbs role on this team has. When he signed that contract he was a special teams guy period and a very good one at that. In the present day he is an all purpose yards czar – kick-off/punt returns, rushing, and receptions – to the tune of #2 in NFL 09. Add ko/p coverage, a few passes thrown, and #1 NFL KOR TD for good measure.
So if I am under contract to build a stone wall (I was a mason and landscaper in a former life) and in addition to the wall my client decides they want me to choose and install the plantings, install some lighting, and create a water feature. Do we renegotiate the orginal contract? We sure do.
the browns didn’t HAVE to offer cribbs anything, he has three more friggin’ years on his contract, but they did offer him a new contract as a gesture of good will, showing that they appreciate him and want him to stay.
cribbs should be happy with a $500,000 a year raise. if he doesn’t want it, i’ll take it.
i’m afraid he’s starting to sound a bit greedy and emo now thanks to his twitter rants…
“So if I am under contract to build a stone wall (I was a mason and landscaper in a former life) and in addition to the wall my client decides they want me to choose and install the plantings, install some lighting, and create a water feature. Do we renegotiate the orginal contract?”
If the original contract specified just the stone wall, yes, you would renegotiate or get an additional contract. I’m unaware that Josh Cribbs’ contract says it’s just for special teams, though… pretty sure it’s a standard NFL player contract under the CBA.
Again, that’s not to say that Cribbs doesn’t deserve a new or extended contract. But the fact remains: he does not have the leverage here, and needs to stop negotiating in the press, cut the amateurish posturing from his agent, and stop crying poor and talking about being “taken advantage of.” Holmgren has expressed a willingness to work something out. Cribbs needs to behave professionally and come to an agreement. I have no doubt he’ll do much better than the $1.4m currently thrown out there, if he doesn’t make such a spectacle that he gets himself run out of town. He’s making himself look like a problem right now while GM candidates are visiting Berea–he’s going to want that guy on his side, and all this stuff right now isn’t going to help him any.
Even though he already had a contract and they offered him some sort of raise with this new contract, they did promise him that they would give him a new contract. And considering the high caliber player he has become, he deserves more than 1.4 mil a year. He’s been a spark for their offense all year, and broke the kick return career touchdown record in his first five years in the league. He plays five different spots for them and is possibly one of the best utility players in the entire NFL. The offer is well below market value for a player with his talent. He deserves better.
Here’s an illustration: when Christmas shopping for a Browns shirt for my dad, I walked into multiple sportswear/memorabilia stores in Columbus. Both of them had all Browns gear at 50% off. All Browns gear except ONLY vintage jerseys and Cribbs jerseys.
@milton
Your thoughts on LeCharles Bentley are correct, but you are forgetting to mention that he didn’t just “get hurt.” He got hurt and went to medical facilities that represent the Cleveland Browns, in which he got staph infection and encountered problem after problem, and THEN faced the dumping of his contract. My point is, this organization, along with the rest in the NFL are a bunch of shady, money hungry people who will do whatever it takes to make/save a buck. If we don’t pay this man, I for one, am done with the Browns, and more likely, done with professional sports.
[…] He is currently making around 700k a year. The Browns offered him 1.4 million. Cribbs is insulted by the offer and cleans out his locker, stating that he may never return to the Browns. Key point: Cribbs is […]
“My point is, this organization, along with the rest in the NFL are a bunch of shady, money hungry people who will do whatever it takes to make/save a buck”
Sounds like the same kind of class-envy/warfare talk that’s becoming so popular with our politicians and most of the media these days. “Look over there! It’s there fault for [x]”
Maybe you know all the owners and executives in the NFL to be able to intelligently make a sweeping statement like that. I’ll admit that I don’t know any of them personally, and have only had contact with high-level members of two organizations in my life.
But I am smart enough to know that rich and wealthy (or owning or running an NFL club) does not automatically mean one is “shady, money hungry people who will do whatever it takes to make/save a buck”. I don’t fault people for being successful, and I don’t begrudge them for wanting to make money. It’s the American way.
As for Bentley’s staph infection, I feel bad for the guy. It’s unfortunate. But it doesn’t just happen to the Browns. It doesn’t just happen in the NFL. It happens to all kinds of people. Every day. In every hospital in America. It’s a health risk, and it has nothing to do with his playing football or being an employee of the Browns. I mean if we’re going to go there, what about the middle-class working stiffs who contract infections like this and lose their livelihood and don’t have tens of millions of dollars in the bank to fall back on?
None of that is the Browns fault. As it relates to his contract, the Browns acted within the rules of the system that was collectively bargained with and agreed to by the players. They did nothing wrong whatsoever.
And with Bentley, like I said… he’s a multi-millionaire, with high paid agents and attorneys and financial advisors all around him. If he was smart enough to listen to their advice, then he’s recovered most if not all of the money he’d have earned over that contract thanks to a smart insurance policy.
Considering that the Browns DO NOT have to renegotiate with Cribbs since he is signed for 3 more years but they did offer a little more money means that made an effort. Okay, so he is underpaid and they didn’t offer him the keys to Fort Knox. So what!
His last agent had him sign a bad deal. His new agent is an idiot who has him packing up his locker to hold out and the playoffs haven’t even started yet. So tell me, which one is more stupid, the agent recommending a bad deal or the agent who says to holdout about 275 days before the regular season starts?
Or maybe its the player who hired and then listened to them in the first place.
Josh needs to realize that being offered 1.4 million is a lot of money. So what if he is underpaid compared to other players. Just because other teams overpay, doesn’t mean the Browns have to.
Cribbs will be back next year with the Browns. His agent is being stupid at this stage. It doesn’t matter what Holmgren said. There was no reason to go public at this time.
The real reason is that the agent wants other teams to call the Browns to explore trades because the agent can’t (without Browns permission) or there can be tampering charges.
[…] all of this together, Cribbs’ team took to the media to discuss their unhappiness. Radio row, ESPN television shows, Twitter… The special teams […]