Cleveland Browns (2009 Season)

[tsteele316]

It isn't Cribbs fault his capabilities haven't been utilized to full capacity. Leon Washington is about to bank big money, being a 3rd down back based on his explosiveness.

Why Josh wasn't used in more creative ways, is unknown. What is known, is he has a boatload of potential, and is being underpaid. There is no way he should play for what he is currently being paid.....especially when you factor in Lerner's agreemenet to address his contract in the off-season. Does anyone really feel Josh made that up?

I don't think he should get Devin Hester money, but if the Browns part ways with him due to a contract dispute, he's the type of guy we'll be scratching our heads about for a long time, IMO.

he was tried at wr, and it was not good. cribbs made travis wilson look like a viable wr. they ran him out of the wildcat, on reverses from the slot and out of the backfield, with marginal at best success. creativity was not the issue with cribbs.

as for playing for what he's being paid, he shouldn't have signed a 6 year deal. he also has really only one season to bank his demands on. showing that he can be something other than a special teams player like both hester and leon washington have done then asking for cash is probably a more suitable option.

as for the lerner promise, the team came out and issued a statement flat out denying it. why are they any less believable than a disgruntled player with a value contract that now has a new agent that wants to earn himself some scratch?

the bottom line is that cribbs has no leverage in this situation right now and is only screwing himself over for future negotiations.

 

[OH10]

I agree that Cribbs is more valuable than his current salary. But he's not going to get the amount he wants. I'm sure Cleveland will offer him close to his worth, but if he overvalues himself, he can find a nice spot on the couch watching games on Sundays this fall... for all I care.

The fact is that Cribbs is in a weak bargaining position. If Cleveland gives him more money, that's out of goodwill and nothing more.

 

[billmac91]

he was tried at wr, and it was not good. cribbs made travis wilson look like a viable wr. they ran him out of the wildcat, on reverses from the slot and out of the backfield, with marginal at best success. creativity was not the issue with cribbs.

as for playing for what he's being paid, he shouldn't have signed a 6 year deal. he also has really only one season to bank his demands on. showing that he can be something other than a special teams player like both hester and leon washington have done then asking for cash is probably a more suitable option.

as for the lerner promise, the team came out and issued a statement flat out denying it. why are they any less believable than a disgruntled player with a value contract that now has a new agent that wants to earn himself some scratch?

the bottom line is that cribbs has no leverage in this situation right now and is only screwing himself over for future negotiations.

I don't think Cribbs was used well at all. I'd expect Mangini to find moe ways to utilize him than the past regime. Josh has a unique build, where he runs with decent power, has good vision, and good speed. Whether he can catch a football as a WR is irrelevant to me....to me, he's a guy you could utilize as a 3rd down back, motion him into the backfield, etc.

I just think he has a lot of explosive potential in him. His skillset is unique. Again, not worth Devin Hester money, but worth a lo more than what hes being paid. He also was probably the biggest reason we won 10 games 2 years ago. His return abilities are special.....

 

[Buckrock]

This is another test of the new regime. Cribbs has very little leverage. The next issue may be the LB D. Jackson. He is certainly underpaid.

 

[tsteele316]

I don't think Cribbs was used well at all. I'd expect Mangini to find moe ways to utilize him than the past regime. Josh has a unique build, where he runs with decent power, has good vision, and good speed. Whether he can catch a football as a WR is irrelevant to me....to me, he's a guy you could utilize as a 3rd down back, motion him into the backfield, etc.

I just think he has a lot of explosive potential in him. His skillset is unique. Again, not worth Devin Hester money, but worth a lo more than what hes being paid. He also was probably the biggest reason we won 10 games 2 years ago. His return abilities are special.....

well, he wants to get paid like he's a position player, yet has not shown any ability to be anything more than a gimmick player used on occassion. if he shows he can do something besides run for 4 yards out of the wildcat 3 times a game, then maybe he can talk cash. but as of now, he'd be better off showing that he's still got the '07 return skills that he certainly didn't illustrate last year.

also, it should be noted that the two sides did have a sit down in february about cribbs contract demands. so, it would be fairly safe to assume that one side put an offer on the table and the other scoffed at it.

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Guess I can't be objective... cuz I'm a big Cribbs fan.. having watched him with Kent... I've always thought Cribbs was a dangerous dude.. that could hit a homerun on any play... plus he's one seriously gutsy dude...

but if you are a believer that there are three elements that are key to a win (offense, defense, special teams)... and that whoever wins 2 of 3 generally wins... then I think Cribbs is jugular...

If you had to name the 5 BEST parts of the Browns... Cribbs has to be one of those 5... thus, worth more than $900K... not $10M... but I'm guessing he'd be ecstatic at $3M .. and I think he's worth that .. the Central Jersey Browns Backers has over 200 fans that meet every Sunday.. and they love this kid...

Without Cribbs we start every series from the 20... so 12 plays later, we're on the 40, throw an interception... and down by 20 again... I feel we HAVE TO HAVE Cribbs... cuz we don't have much else...

 

[Bleed S & G]

I feel we HAVE TO HAVE Cribbs... cuz we don't have much else...

I agree.

When we need a big play, I always look to Cribbs. God knows it won't be Braylon, BQ, DA, or anyone else on the roster.

 

[osubartender23]

well, he wants to get paid like he's a position player, yet has not shown any ability to be anything more than a gimmick player used on occassion. if he shows he can do something besides run for 4 yards out of the wildcat 3 times a game, then maybe he can talk cash. but as of now, he'd be better off showing that he's still got the '07 return skills that he certainly didn't illustrate last year..

I actually would agree with this. I think he does need to get paid more than he is currently, but I dont think he should be getting Devin Hester or Leon Washington type money. Whether people think he is being under utilized or not, the stats don't support his wish to be paid like the 2 players listed above.

Here are 2008 stats for all 3 players.

Josh Cribbs- 2 receptions for 18 yards with 1 receiving TD. 29 rushes for 167 yards with 1 rushing TD. He had 28 punt returns for 228 yards with 0 td's and he had 44 kickoff returns for 1110 yards with 1 td. In all he had 1523 all purpose yards. Cribbs is making 1 million a year for 6 years.

Devin Hester-51 receptions for 665 yards with 3 receiving Td. 6 rushes for 61 yards with 3 rushing TD's. He had 32 punt returns for 198 yards and 31 kickoff returns for 679 yards. Hester is making 10 million a year for 4 years.

Leon Washington- 47 receptions for 355 receiving yards with 2 TD's. 78 rushes for 448 yards and 6 TD's. He had 29 punt returns for 303 yards and 0 Td's and 48 kick returns for 1231 yards and 1 TD. Washington is playing in the final year of his original rookie contract for 550,000.

Washington has a legitimate case in terms of wanting a new contract because his play has far exceeded what he is currently being paid. He is also in the final year of his contract. Hester is being overpaid but if he is able to turn himself into a #1 receiver then his pay is on par with other #1 receivers. Cribbs does deserve a pay raise but his play only shows that he has established himself mainly on special teams and really hasnt shown he is able to be a regular contributer on offense.

 

[LitlBuck]

I guess D. Jackson is in his last year of his contract also and wants to renegotiate but he has reported to minicamp and I think by Cribbs staying away from camp is just hurting his chances of getting any more money. Maybe the new guys on the block will utilize him different situations and his value can increase but he needs to be in camp to show them that.

 

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Agent for Cleveland Browns' Josh Cribbs tells team to rework contract, or make a trade
by Mary Kay Cabot/Plain Dealer Reporter
Tuesday May 19, 2009, 9:29 PM

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns receiver Josh Cribbs will definitely ask to be traded if the Browns tell him they won't re-do his contract, multiple sources close to the situation said Tuesday.

As expected, Cribbs failed to show up for the first day of voluntary minicamp Tuesday because there's been no "meaningful dialogue" yet on a new contract, according to Cribbs' agent, J.R. Rickert. As of Tuesday night, the two sides had still no made no progress, Rickert said.

The minicamp runs through Thursday, with only the final day being open to the media. Although it's voluntary, players are expected to be there -- and almost all attend.

Rickert said the Browns told him they might be willing to open discussions Tuesday, but no substantial talks took place. He said the Browns have also indicated that they might not want to renegotiat

The Browns have said they have defensive plans for Cribbs this season, if and when he rejoins the team."We exchanged emails Monday night, but there were no proposals made or numbers discussed," said Rickert. "We need to have some substantial talks for Josh to show up."

Cribbs has four years remaining on the six-year, $6.7 million extension he signed in Nov. 2006 with his previous agents. His base salaries over the next four years are $620,000, $635,000, $650,000 and $790,000. The starting point for Cribbs' side is Devin Hester's four-year, $40 million extension with $15 million guaranteed.

Rickert said he also has phone records to prove that Browns owner Randy Lerner had a conversation with Cribbs right after the season. Cribbs said Lerner told him in that conversation that the Browns would make good on former General Manager Phil Savage's promise to re-do Cribbs' deal in the off-season.

But the club countered in a statement Monday that "no one from the current Browns organization, including owner Randy Lerner, has ever made any promises to Josh Cribbs with regard to his contract status."

Continued

Having his agent make a trade demand is just stupid and will not help him in negotiations at all.

 

[OH10]

If Cribbs' starting point is the Hester deal, then have a seat young man 'cause you aren't playing this year.

 

[itownbuckeye]

Detailed review of Browns draft

TFY

Is it not beautiful when a plan comes together? For Cleveland fans, it is obviously hard to tell since they have not seen one for so long. This last point is probably why Cleveland?s latest draft class has been generally met with far too much negativity within its own fan base and those who cover the team professionally.

 

[exhawg]

If Cribbs' starting point is the Hester deal, then have a seat young man 'cause you aren't playing this year.

He makes so little that it would be nothing for the Browns to sit on his contract the next 4 years so there will be no trade unless the Browns can get something really good in return. I'm sure they'll figure it all out and give him a slight raise. His old agent really needs to be shot for that 6 year deal. If they were only offering a mill a year he should have gone for a 2-3 year deal. Cribbs really has very little leverage.

 

[billmac91]

He makes so little that it would be nothing for the Browns to sit on his contract the next 4 years so there will be no trade unless the Browns can get something really good in return. I'm sure they'll figure it all out and give him a slight raise. His old agent really needs to be shot for that 6 year deal. If they were only offering a mill a year he should have gone for a 2-3 year deal. Cribbs really has very little leverage.

I highly doubt they are actually looking for Hester money. At this point, I'm sure Cribbs is sick of looking like a liar. There is no doubt in my mind that Lerner told Cribbs they would re-work his deal.

When an agent comes out and says they have proof of a phone conversation with the owner, it better be true. From the jump though, knowing Josh's character, it seemed unlikely he was lying.

I can understand Kokinos and Mangini not feeling obligated to uphold agreements made with Phil Savage, or even Lerner, but if I'm Cribbs, and I was told by the owner that my contract would be revisited, and then the Cleveland Browns release a statement that is not true.......I'm pissed.

 

[tsteele316]

I highly doubt they are actually looking for Hester money. At this point, I'm sure Cribbs is sick of looking like a liar. There is no doubt in my mind that Lerner told Cribbs they would re-work his deal.

When an agent comes out and says they have proof of a phone conversation with the owner, it better be true. From the jump though, knowing Josh's character, it seemed unlikely he was lying.

I can understand Kokinos and Mangini not feeling obligated to uphold agreements made with Phil Savage, or even Lerner, but if I'm Cribbs, and I was told by the owner that my contract would be revisited, and then the Cleveland Browns release a statement that is not true.......I'm pissed.

it was never alledged that the phone call didn't take place. what was said by cleveland was that at no point was cribbs promised a new contract by lerner in that phone conversation. and again, the two sides met in february, and no progress was made, it was then that the "hester-type" money label started getting tossed around. cribbs' new agent is getting nothing until cribbs signs a new deal, it's in his, and cribbs' best interest to play the victim card, which is why i'm hesitant to believe he was promised anything definatively.