May 19, 2013

NFL Free Agency: Josh Cribbs not confident in Browns’ “upper management”

February 26, 2013 by 19 Comments

We’re at a standstill right now. My plan is to stay with the team as much as possible even if it’s a slight pay cut but at the same time not huge pay cuts. I’m trying to work with the team — I want to be a Brown and end my career here. I’m willing to make a compromise but at the same time I won’t devalue myself. I haven’t really been used to my potential and all of that but I just want to be able to help this football team see a playoff and get to the playoffs, and see what we can do in the post season because I think we’re so close. I would just hate to have to leave the team right when we’re on the cusp of winning. [...] I’m not too confident in upper management because I’m not sure what their plans and their intentions are. Right now it doesn’t seem like the interest level is there with the upper management.

– Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl return man/wide receiver Josh Cribbs, Tuesday, on 92.3 The Fan’s “Baskin and Phelps” show. Cribbs, 29, was recently the subject of contractual discussions at the NFL Combine, but it was later reported that the Browns — led by team CEO Joe Banner — are not likely to meet the player’s asking price. In 2012, Cribbs caught seven passes for 53 yards as his role on offense was greatly reduced from the season prior. He will be an unrestricted free agenct on March 12.

[Related: Joe Banner and the assumed departure of Phil Dawson]

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  • LesFleursDuMal

    Cut Ray Ventrone, keep Cribbs as the ST ace… DONE.

  • dwhit110

    He’s lost a step and I wonder if we wouldn’t be better off letting Travis Benjamin return kicks and punts.

  • ThatAlex

    I’m glad that Cribbs put this out there. It’s going to look bad if the upper management makes no real effort to sign him.

  • The_Matt_Of_Akron

    Alternate headline:
    “NFL Free Agency: Browns’ upper management not confident in Josh Cribbs”

  • http://www.facebook.com/oscar.shlotkinz Oscar Slotkin

    “I’m not too confident in upper management” —- join the club, Josh.

  • Harv 21

    if Joshie’s expectations are that he be paid like an experienced, valuable, 30-something special-teamer, maybe they’ll work something out.

    But if he wants to be paid like someone who has yet to “be used to my potential,” better to Free the Man and let him take that tired sales pitch elsewhere. Norv Turner is not Mangini, worried that he needs Cribbs and gimmicks to get the team downfield. If Josh overplays his hand he’ll end up somewhere where he’ll feel real de-valued.

  • MrCleaveland

    Pay the Man. Jeez, he’s being reasonable about this.

    As for negotiating through the media, it worked for Josh last time, but I’m not so sure it will work this time. I fear that Banner will want to show everyone how smart he is and cut Josh loose because he don’t need no stinkin’ special teamer. That would be unfortunate.

    But if Banner is willing to hurt the team and alienate fans and let Phil Dawson go, then Cribbsie is hist’ry.

  • FearTheRoo

    Exactly. Jimmy seemed like a smart guy, but he brought in an awful CEO, GM, and coach. I’m willing to give them a chance, but this will be a rough season to watch.

  • The_Matt_Of_Akron

    I think Harv’s point about this applies. Is he being reasonable about what his current skills are? If he keeps getting used as a WR, then $1.438M might be reasonable. If the FO brings in Breaston or whoever to fill out the WR corps, and Cribbs is relegated to only special teams, that sounds like about a million too much.

  • ObieMassillon

    One thing I never see mentioned is how Cribbs let off the gas a little ( noticeable amount) when he got the big contract last time. The main reason he got the money was the all-out, 110% effort he gave as an undrafted guy out of Kent. The minute he got that payday, he became pedestrian at best. I understand some may argue that he was injured but tell me what he has done to impact a game since the contract.

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    He got paid the last time more then enough to compensate for his next potential deal. If anything he should have given back some of that $$$ he got the way he contributed.

  • Felix Krull

    So Cribbs is still moaning about being underutilized. Ho hum. Cribbs made some catches the year before last when McCoy was forced to scramble and plays broke down, making the fact that he cannot run precise routes to save his life irrelevant. I think the current staff will rightly expect more from the far more talented corps of WR we have in place, especially after we add a vet in FA. KR notoriously hit a wall around the age of 30, but I’d bring him back in a Ventrone role if he were willing to play for league minimum. Otherwise, no thanks.

  • Porckchop

    Can we do a lifeboat with guys tha Cleveland fans overvalue(d) because they play here?

  • zonk

    Finally a post I agree with, although Michigan still sucks

  • Guest

    I literally yawn when I hear Josh Cribbs discuss Josh Cribbs. His act, like his game, is just tired. I’d give him a 2 year deal commensurate with what he is: a special teamer. I’ve got no problem, too, if they cut bait and use his roster spot on an extra linebacker that can run. I commend Josh for his all out effort and overcoming the odds of being an undrafted FA. But his mouth writes checks that his body can’t cash, and I can’t stand his manipulation of the media. He says “team” but only in the context of “me”.

  • mgbode

    how would they pick only 4 choices?

  • mgbode

    I don’t know about Jimmy.

    Calling Banner anything but successful as President of the Eagles is ridiculous. I have no idea on the football side of things though. That is a valid, but open, concern.

    Lombardi has alot to prove, yes.

    But, outside of that, how can you not LOVE the coaching staff? We brought in 2 of the most highly sought after co-ordinators. Norv and Horton were HUGE gets. The fact that they wanted to work for Chud is a huge feather in his cap along with the work he did here and in Carolina. I don’t know if he can be the head-man, but I don’t understand how anyone can hate that hire.

  • C-Bus Kevin

    It would be a reverse lifeboat…a whole bunch of players and only 1 gets to stay on the boat. It’s more of a life vest.

  • C-Bus Kevin

    Let me put on my “anywhere else but Cleveland” fan hat.

    Why are obsessed with an underperforming 4th WR with diminishing KR skills?

    It’s harsh, but the man had a good run, and unless he wants the minimum, he’s out of the league.