Browns’ Silence on Cribbs Situation is Deafening
Written By: Scott | Category: Cleveland Browns | Comments: 56
“Three years of patience with zero indication of communication.”
These are the words spoken by Josh Cribbs’ agent Peter Schaffer on 850AM WKNR in response to the ongoing contract saga between his client and the Cleveland Browns. Cribbs, considered by many to be one of the few game-changing players in the NFL, is the most recent member of the Cleveland Browns to be the focus of perceived negative news as yeas of “unfulfilled promises” have bubbled over into the public eye.
When asked why Cribbs and his representation went public with the news, it appears that a lack of communication between Berea and Cribbs forced Schaffer (and J.R. Rickert) to head to the media.
Per Schaffer, Cribbs was offered a contract extension by the Browns approximately one month ago. When the negotiations began in terms of a counter offer, Cribbs was allegedly told that it would be best to wait for the team president (Mike Holmgren) to be officially a part of the discussions. After Holmgren arrived in Cleveland, Cribbs was offered the “take it or leave it” deal of $1.4 million, which was immediately shunned by the player and his representation without length of the deal being a factor.
Schaffer reportedly placed a phone call to Holmgren, looking to get an update on the contract situation. In speaking with team representative Dawn Aponte, a message was left to have his phone call returned. Schaffer claims that emails were sent to the team, though no reply was given. Upon several more phone calls and threats of going public, the Browns failed to return any calls.
Which lead to last night’s interviews and twitter entries.
Schaffer claims that his team has been very patient with the turnover in Berea since Josh’s Pro Bowl appearance in 2007. Dealing with Romeo Crennel, Phil Savage, Randy Lerner, Eric Mangini, George Kokinis, Dawn Aponte and now Mike Holmgren is arguably a difficult task for an agent. Getting promises from multiple individuals and having these go unfulfilled only makes matters worse.
“I have respect for Mike Holmgren, and he has earned that respect,” said Schaffer. “All I would like is for the Browns to objectively justify their position. NFL contracts are one-sided deals where a player can be cut at any time without compensation,” he continued. “To win, you have to take care of the best players.”
Schaffer also warned that this saga reflects poor light on the Browns as other players in the league are witnessing how the team is handling paying a player who is arguably deserving of a higher paycheck.
Even after going public, Team Cribbs has not received a response from the Browns.
“I belive Josh is going to Berea today to clean out his locker,” said Schaffer.
While there is rarely a dull moment in Berea, the Browns are already looking at a considerably long off-season – one that started only three days prior.
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(Joshua Gunter/Plain Dealer)
Author: Scott
Scott is a co-founder/editor of Waiting For Next Year who resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Feel free to follow him on Twitter or email him at scott@waitingfornextyear.com.Scott has written 2013 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
“I belive Josh is going to Berea today to clean out his locker,” said Schaffer.
Well of course he is; isn’t it time for the annual “spray the entire facility down to prevent staph infections” task?
I find it hard to believe something won’t get done; in Holmgren I trust.
“Three years of patience with zero indication of communication.”
So he was looking for a raise the very moment he inked the 6 year deal? I’m confused by this statement.
Yeah, because Mike Holmgren has nothing else to do right now. Cribbs deserves a raise, and more than this ridiculous $1.4 million offer, but Cribbs and his reps need to freaking chill out and give the Browns time to put together a front office. Sheesh.
Nice, so a team that has practically zero talent is going to lose one of its most talented players because they refuse to pay him a reasonable amount? WAY TO GO BROWNS! Here’s to 4 more decades of losing!
Cribbs needs to be careful that his agents don’t push this too hard. Though they still overwhelmingly have the fans’ support, if they keep going down this road, I think a lot of people will start to turn. You can’t blame Mike Holmgren for anything that happened as far as broken promises in the past.
As the new boss, Holmgren could have instantly had 500,000 people behind him if he had said “Ok, the first order of business here is to get Josh Cribbs a new deal.” There’s a lot to fix and where this falls in importance is subject, but just symbolically it would mean tons to Browns fans.
“Getting promises from multiple individuals and having these go unfulfilled”
Please source this. To my knowledge, the only person who has said anything was promised is Cribbs (or his agent), and I don’t understand why it’s being repeated here as fact. As is currently being demonstrated, Cribbs doesn’t exactly appear to be the most rational negotiator, and the only quote I recall hearing about anything being promised to Cribbs came not from any source within the organization but from Cribbs’ public posturing.
I hope any holdout or trade is avoided and that he gets a new deal. But with GM interviews and organizational meetings to determine the HC’s future underway and ongoing for the foreseeable future, Cribb’s timing in publicly annointing himself the team’s top priority is suspect, and isn’t likely to improve his bargaining position the way it’s being handled currently.
QUICK EVERYBODY OVERREACT!
LOUD NOISES!
It’s the first full week in January, a deal will get done.
I agree that Holmgren has other matters to tend to, but he was well aware of this situation from the second he was in discussions about the job. You can’t expect these guys to wait around for a GM/HC to be in place for two or three years before something gets done – it hasn’t happened in 10 years.
I agree with Cribbs’ camp in that a phone call or email being returned isn’t asking for the world – they just wanted indication that their client is as important as Holmgren made it sound in his press conference.
@3
Agreed 100%, Andrew. Holmgren would be going back on what he said Tuesday about getting his front office put together before dealing with personnel issues if he just went right out and signed Cribbs. We all know we want Cribbs but it’s also important that the Big Show gets the right people in the right spots and what does that say to potential GM candidates if the Walrus’ first order of business is to go unilaterally make a personnel move? Give him a few weeks, everyone. Sheesh.
Please source this? Excuse me, but I’m pretty sure I started the paragraph with “Schaffer claims.”
I agree Rock, I think Cribbs needs to wait a little longer. I understand that he’s upset but he has to realize that in Holmgren’s mind, finding a GM and (possibly) a coach comes first. THEN he can focus on the players. Its a long offseason, give it time.
I don’t have much sympathy for Cribbs in this…I like Josh Cribbs because he’s on the team, not the other way around. If the Browns move him and can get some talent in return I say so be it. No team has ever been a KR/PR player away from being a contender while not many teams with no great talent at QB/O-line (right side)/defensive back 7 with a great KR/PR player has ever won the Super Bowl.
I think it’s that the “Take it or leave it” came after Holmgren arrived. That’s the concern. If Holmgren doesn’t know about this offer, then Dawn A needs to go. If he did know about and approve this language and offer, then the Browns have no excuse. The Browns made their stand intentionally or not, and so it’s Josh’s turn to act.
“Please source this? Excuse me, but I’m pretty sure I started the paragraph with “Schaffer claims.””
Perhaps I worded that poorly.
Where can I read a confirmed report that somebody promised Cribbs an extension, a report that doesn’t originate from Cribbs’ mouth (or agent)?
There’s no link provided, and I don’t recall seeing any Schefter report that verifies any promises were made by anyone. If it’s there, I’d love to read it, but to my knowledge all anyone is doing is repeating Cribbs’ unconfirmed claim.
Like I said in my previous comment on the Cribbs saga there is entirely to much whining coming from the Cribbs camp and personally it’s really starting to irritate me. For a guy who is so tough on the football field his or at least his people sure seem to be a bunch of whiners off the field. I love Cribbs and his story but at the same time I’m sorry he’s still just a fantastic special teams player. Anyone remember Dante Hall of the KC Chiefs, yea, well he’s disappeared or how about Devin Hester of the Bears? Hester is concentrating on becoming a full time NFL WR perhaps if this were the same with Cribbs I could see ponying up the $$$ but no way would I make him one of the highest paid players in the league or even on the Browns. Btw Mike Holmgren just got to town so lets see what happens it’s not like giving a new contract to a special teams player with three years left on his current contract should be priority #1 at least not if you’ve watched any Browns games.
scott,
“Schaffer claims” in the introductory sentence of a paragraph does not function to cover other statements you make in the same paragraph. You may have intended it to, but that’s not how attribution works.
At clown baby. If you think the browns are better off without Cribbs you are crazy.
Jesus… I’m reading “Schaffer” and thinking/writing “Schefter.”
I’m sorry–totally my bad. Brain is stuck in neutral this morning.
“Where can I read a confirmed report that somebody promised Cribbs an extension, a report that doesn’t originate from Cribbs’ mouth (or agent)?
There’s no link provided, and I don’t recall seeing any Schefter report that verifies any promises were made by anyone. If it’s there, I’d love to read it, but to my knowledge all anyone is doing is repeating Cribbs’ unconfirmed claim.”
I’m not positive, but I believe Randy Lerner has confirmed that in the past – I’d have to dig, and frankly I dont have the time. This whole article is based on Schaffer’s words in an interview. Take it as hearsay or biased opinion – I’m just reporting what he said.
Swaying back and forth on this one. Like #2 pointed-out, “three years of patience”?!? He shouldn’t have signed that contract then! On top of this, Holmgren has AT LEAST two more important things to do before getting to the Josh Cribbs contract issue: determine whether or not Mangini will be the coach next year and hire a GM.
We all love you, Josh, but take it easy. The season just ended and there are a few things in the air.
C’mon people….if the Browns really needed “more time to assemble their front office”, then why did they rush this “final offer that will be good today, in March, and in August” to Cribbs?
My guess is that this negotiating tactic has clearly backfired and it will make the “real” deal that much more difficult to get done.
He’s probably worth a first round pick.
Just sayin….
I want Cribbs to be a Brown. That said, I HATE when players (agents) starting talking like this. His agent said “There are two options, pay him or trade him.” and may demand a trade. What are you, two years old. You can “demand” all you want but you are under contract for THREE more years. The Browns won’t trade him so the way I see it, Cribbs has 2 options, take the money or sit for 3 years. Don’t hire a scum bag agent who conviently forgets that the Browns stuck by you when you got busted for Weed. You can be an upstanding citizen now, but you weren’t at Kent State. Don’t forget where you come from. Grow up.
You don’t get rid of a guy like that …you just DON’T. He’s a once-in-a-generation athlete who can literally WIN GAMES for you all by himself.
I think the big issue at this point isn’t so much the number as it is the “take it or leave it” and the non-returned phone calls.
Holmgren didn’t have to lock down a new contract for Cribbs yesterday. All he had to do was call the agent back and say “I’d like to have a coach and GM in place first.”
I’m really with Clown Baby on this one – if the Browns actually had anyone else with any skill on the team, I don’t think this is big news. and I realize that we don’t but Cribbs or no Cribbs, this team isn’t making the playoffs any time soon
Seems to me that Holmgren is saying, “If you’re in a big fat hurry, this is the deal I have for people who are in a big fat hurry. If you want to let me get my personnel decision makers in place first, then we can negotiate then.”
Sounds reasonable to me.
I’m with Boogie and Clown Baby too, for the most part. Cribbs’ agents have come off as amateurs from the start.
Another line that kills me is that the Browns should pay Cribbs more than he’s worth just because so many krs and wrs have received terrible contracts.
I also wonder how much of Cribbs’ stardom this season is due to the overall performance of the Browns’ excellent special teams units that didn’t allow a return touchdown all season, and led the league in allowing opponents only 18.9 yards per kick return. Could it be a coincidence that Leon Washington of Eric Mangini’s Jets occupied the Pro Bowl KR slot last season? The situation is at least somewhat similar to the Denver Broncos ability to reload at running back throughout much of the last two decades, and suggests that Cribbs is more easily replaceable than he might seem to be.
Frowns,
how much of his stardom is due to the numerous kickoffs occasioned by the Browns’ defense?
exactly Frowns – I’m not saying that Cribbs isn’t worth a bit more – but with incentives $2mil, right? just b/c chicago, buffalo, and others have made horrendous decisions, doesn’t mean we have to. still rebuilding, right, then maybe this is where the crap ends and real business-like football team building begins. HUH?!? WHAT?!? I think that makes sense
Let the man get his house in order before you start acting like a three year old. I also would like to hear this “take it or leave it” segment. Did Dawn A say this? Was it in email form? Or was this typical agent bull to get their client angry? The man will get paid, but he won’t be OVERPAID. Holmgren doesn’t plan on Cribbs being our entire offense anymore. 3 more years, to quote Boondock Saints, you’re going F’N nowhere!
To echo RobGoBlue, and my wife would kill me if she knew I even uttered this, I hear Oakland is really nice this time of year.
big cunn-
I’ve re-read my post a few times and I still can’t find the part where I said the Browns are better off without Cribbs. I DID say that with as many holes as the Browns have a great KR/PR player isn’t all that’s standing in the way of a Super Bowl.
Did anyone ever hear of negotiations? Obviously, the Browns feel playing hardball is the way to go. Figuring the contract would be at least 5 years, saving even half a million per year could add up to nice savings for the organization. We all remember how Verejao claimed he was sickened by the Cavs and would not play for them ever, and now he is a happy camper. This will pass and the contract will get done, probably toward the Browns favor.
At the end of the interview, Rizzo asked Peter Schaffer if he would go on record as saying if Josh Cribbs does not have an acceptable contract by next season, he’ll sit out of football. Schaffer said yes. Take it FWIW.
Thanks for the response, Scott. No, I don’t expect you to spend time digging that up–it’s exactly what I thought. And like I posted just above you there, I initially mis-read “Schaffer” as “Schefter” and confused the issue.
At this point, since all the info is coming from an interested party, it can only be taken one way, really, as posturing (hearsay only if it were coming from someone without a financial stake in the negotiations.)
One thing seems apparent here… Cribbs doesn’t seem to make the best decisions picking agents, does he? Perhaps a better agent three years ago wouldn’t have had him trade away as much future earnings potential for the security in such a long-term deal. This new guy could sure afford to appear a bit more professional. I think there’s a huge potential for this strategy to blow up in his face in a town like Cleveland, and with a sharp guy like Holmgren across the table.
I hope they get it all worked out… I’d hate for Cribbs to be traded or to see his strong public image end up as collateral damage here.
I seriously doubt Mangini had anything to do with Cribbs’ success this year. It’s not like he was a first-year off-the-street free agent. This year was just the culmination of his natural progression as a talented football player.
I agree that all the opportunities that Cribbs had to return kicks played a roll as well. The Browns gave up more points this year than last year and more points than the Browns gave up in 3 of Romeo’s 4 years as coach. That’s what should be pinned on Mangini.
Frowns, that’s a reach at best. It’s not like Cribbs was some also-ran kick returner before Mangini arrived. Just look back at the 2007 archives. Sorry, but Mangini gets NO more credit for Cribbs’ play than Romeo Crennel does.
Josh Cribbs is the heart and soul of this team. He loves Cleveland…how many athletes can we say that about? His post-game interview after the Steelers win was so selfless it caused the NFL network studio team to break out into applause. He is an absolute beast, and in my opinion the most exciting player to watch in the league. Next year is going to be an UNCAPPED year. Lerner needs to reach in his pockets and pay Cribbs like one of the top return men in the league that he is.
The Browns will be losing a lifelong fan in me, if they don’t give this man his due. Look at how the media is reacting to this. They rarely support hold-outs but everyone in the league is unanimously rallying around Cribbs and his contract efforts. Pay Josh Cribbs 3 mil a year. PLEASE
HE WILL NOT SIT OUT!
That is really a horrible move by his agent. He will not be traded. And he isn’t stupid enough to sit out for the next 3 years. He probably will get payed but I think his agent just cost him money with this amateurish move.
Illmatic8
You are as bad as Josh Cribbs’ agent with your fake threats.
here’s a quandary:
if the Browns don’t want to pay Cribbs they can trade him. He’d fetch a first round pick, i’m pretty sure. If that’s the case, the signing bonus alone on that first-rounder is likely to be over $5 million. so the Browns can ask themselves: give more money to an unproven rookie, or take care of one of our own, while making a good PR move, and improving the team morale.
easy choice to me.
saggy,
couldnt’ they convert that first rounder to a few second and third rounders?
@ Jamie – agreed about his Kent days…I was in Holly Park when all that happened…was rather entertaining…
This is ridiclous didn’t cribbs agent think that maybe just maybe the browns want to hire a gm 1st, or even figuer out what they are doing with the coaching staff??
Cribbs is not the browns 1st priority they need to get over themselves and let things shake out
I cant believe that someone with Holgrems knowledge of the game, that he would allow Cribbs to get away, but stranger things have happened. Please Randy Lerner, pay Cribbs what he’s worth so we can get on with building our Browns into a team to be proud of.
I like Cribbs as much as the next guy, but it’s a bad move on his/his agent’s part to even be pursuing this 3 days after Holmgren was brought in while he’s trying to get a GM, coach, scouts, and you know the rest of the organization in place.
I get that he was patient for the past year and didn’t make waves like he could have, but give the dude time to find his office and put an organization in place. Threatening a holdout when games don’t take place for 9 months isn’t really a lot of leverage.
@42 I think your read on what Cribbs would fetch by way of draft picks is a bit off. I can’t imagine a lot of teams are looking to trade a 1st round pick for a special teams player who has already has a lot of miles on him.
I agree with you that they should pay him more than the reported offer, but if someone comes knocking with a first round pick, they better at least listen.
DEEEEEEEEP Breath everyone…
Mike Holmgren is in the process of making a more important decision (Head Coach/GM) than re-negotiating a contract with our standout Special Teams player/Part Time Direct Snap RB.
I totally understand Cribbs’ value, I’m just saying I, as a fan would rather see him focusing on getting the staff in place before he worries about re-signing Cribbs.
Kevin #47 I agree which should tell you the real worth of a Josh Cribbs around the NFL. Lets face it every team would take him or like to have him but honestly how many are going to pony up probably the contract he’s looking for, not many in my opinion.
There shouldn’t be a rush the fact that his people are trying to use the media to sway fans is kind of funny when you think about it. Personally I think it makes Cribbs and his crew look a little bad the way they are conducting themselves given the fact that the Cleveland Browns entire organization has been in total disarray for years and just now have a real life team president. Perhaps they should just get in line and let President Mike Holmgren get to them when he has time. No offense to Josh Cribbs but I’d much prefer the Browns hire a GM, head coach and other organizational people before they address a special teams player who has three years left on his current contract.
Posturing. Pure and simple.
Move along, nothing to see here…
Matt, I’m pretty sure Shaffer did know Holmgren was going to be pretty busy trying to sort out coaching and GM questions. He tried to buffalo the Walrus into inking Cribbs, before he hired a contract specialist for Shaffer to deal with. Guess he’s never seen how a bull walrus reacts when crowded.
I’m wondering how many people saying “Three more years” were saying “Pay Da Man” two weeks ago.
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