Josh Cribbs adds value to the Browns, but I don’t know what his true value is at the negotiating table — because I still don’t know if he has a position.
APJosh Cribbs
Representatives for Cribbs discussed a contract extension with the Browns this week, and although I think his value is on special teams, I don’t see the need to overpay for Cribbs if he struggles to become a position player under new head coach Eric Mangini. We tend to discuss Cribbs in the same regard as Chicago’s Devin Hester, but I still don’t see the comparison when it comes to their value on their respective teams. Cribbs is player who might be tried out on defense — or used in various creative ways on offense — while Hester is the unquestioned No. 1 receiver on the Bears’ roster.
Cribbs is without a doubt one of the best returners in the league as well as one of the best cover men on kicking units, but I would be hesitant to pay him like a position player until I see it in camp under Mangini.
If I’m the Ravens, I like the signing of former Rams wide receiver Drew Bennett, who agreed to a one-year deal after a workout with the team on Friday. Bennet — who missed all of the ’08 season after breaking his foot in the opener — joins a receiving corps in Baltimore that’s depleted after the sudden retirement of last year’s leading receiver, Derrick Mason.
APDerrick Mason
The Ravens hope Bennett can provide some of the flash and big-play ability that made him a threat when he was as a Tennessee Titan — before the Rams gave him a six-year, $30-million deal that brought him to St. Louis.
Even if Mason does return to the team at some point before or during camp, Bennett could give Baltimore a long, athletic receiver who can go up and get the football. I like the idea of adding a weapon like Bennet for QB Joe Flacco to use in the red zone and in the deep passing game outside the numbers.
Now he just has to show the team that he has enough talent at this stage of his career to make a difference in the regular season — and it is at no risk to the Ravens with a one-year deal.
Word out of San Fran is that everyone inside the building is pulling for quarterback Alex Smith to win the starting job in camp. Publicly, it’s being called an open competition, but a source close to the Niners told us that he believes Smith will win the job.
But Smith will still have to hold off Shaun Hill throughout August in what should be his last chance as a starter in the league -- and most likely his last chance to show 49ers management that he’s part of their future plans.
The Bills open camp today in Rochester, N.Y., and I can’t think of another team in the league that starts practice with as many expectations or as much pressure to win as Buffalo. I still know a lot of the guys on that squad, and I wish them luck and hope they stay healthy during the month of August.
Head coach Dick Jauron is a good man — one of the best I met in the league — and his back is against the wall as far as his future on the Buffalo sidelines.
We talk about Michael Vick daily in the sports media world, but what’s the real story here and who’s going to take a shot on the former Falcons QB? Because as much as we want to talk about it, he still has to show a team that he’s ready to play at the elite level it takes to compete in this league, and a team still has to find a spot for him on its roster.
Once Commissioner Roger Goodell makes a decision on the Vick case, we can all start throwing out names of teams that could make a play for Vick, but until then, everything we hear is just speculation.
APAntoine Winfield
Signing Antoine Winfield to a contract extension was a good move by the Vikings. He’s still one of the best Tampa 2 corners in the league and a solid tackler in the open field — and his age isn’t a concern for me. Corners who play in the Tampa 2 scheme last longer and are an essential part of the success of the entire unit.
The timing almost seems perfect because the Vikings already will have a media circus at camp if quarterback Brett Favre decides to sign. And not signing Winfield — and risking a possible holdout — would have just led to another distraction that this team doesn’t need.
Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41.
Be curious to see if the ESPN report on a suspension length is correct for Vick...
League hasn't said a word about it....
Does it really matter who is playing WR for the Ravens? They run the ball and play great D.
Considering the distractions that Big Ben could cause this season, this Ravens team with Bennett or Mason will win the AFC North.
I hope Alex Smith wins the job just for his sake... Guy has taken a beating (rightfully so) since he has been in the league, and I wouldn't mind seeing him win the job and the Niners fan base...
Not feeling any reason why Cribbs should get a contract extension... The Browns were awful last season, and he plays special teams... Plus, he already got a new contract not too ling ago.
Play defense? Really? It sound like the Browns are trying to find a position for him to justify paying him.
No way Mangini crumbles to this guy.
Winfield is a player in the Vikings scheme... would love to have him playing for Lovie in the Tampa 2 in Chicago... then we can launch Vasher.
I'm waiting for the day when a guy comes into the league and wants to be a kick/punt returner. How great would it have been if Hester or Cribbs told their teams "look, I know you can't pay me like a top receiver or corner, but I want to be the greatest at what I do, and what I do is return kicks." Then these guys spent all their time becoming the greatest return men of all time. It could change the game where one of the biggest rivalries in the game is two guys trying to outdo each other in the return department. It would be fun to watch, and teams would start looking for a guy to draft who is only a return guy. It would never happen though because the money is too important.
In 2007, Cribbs touched the ball 101 times, racking up 2312 yards and 3 TDs.
In 2008 he dipped a bit, on 103 touches, logging ONLY 1523 yards, and 3 tds.
compare to Devin Hester:
2007 112, 1874, 6
2008 120, 1603, 3
In 2007, the NFL leader in yards from scrimmage was Brian Westbrook with 2104
in 2008 it was AP with 1884.
Its not apples to apples, but it seems like if Cribbs can repeat his 2007 numbers, it would be hard to discount his impact on Cleveland's success.
In 2008 Hester moved to WR full time, which was also the season he got paid.
That's a bad argument there Jack...
Cribbs is a kick returner, the Browns are brutal on defense, so he gets more chances on kick off return.
Plus, if this guy is so dynamic, why can't they find a spot for him?
3 catches in '08... PLEASE. The guy is a great returner and that's it.
QB Alex Smith is a bust he is a backup at best. It's one thing to be great at drills and in practice but come game time he JUST CAN'T GET THE JOB DONE.
da coach, I didn't actually make a point. I just wanted to put the numbers out there in terms of how yardage Cribbs actually contributed. Return yards are in a different context than scrimmage yards (would love to have a breakout that factored only yards beyond the 20 yard line on kick-offs that could have been touchbacks for example). Still if we're talking how much is Cribbs worth, I think its worth saying that he accounted for an intense amount of yardage in '07.
If he can repeat that kind of season with consistency, then he's not an easily replaceable part.
What his actual worth is, I don't know. I'd wait a year to see if 2008 was a more realistic projection of his production or if 2007 was.
is josh cribbs barely able to pay for food on his table?...while starving people all over would kill for ONE tenth of his pay...he's CRYING about it...when he AGREED to this CONTRACT...this man has NOOO honor and wont abide by his own contract he AGREED to....GET HIM OFF THE TEAM--i dont want a BITCH like that playing for our football team...he's just a money hungry bitch!....Here's what's FAIR...if your not a superstar in the world then when we sign contracts we're OBLIGATED to adhere to that contract...you AGREED to your six year contract...be a REAL man and uphold your contract you AGREED to you flipping WUSSY...you aint nothing anyways...your just a return man..EASILY replaced...rookies such as johnny knox do just as good of a job...if your such the man and stud...why did your team only win 4?...you only lead the league cuz the browns kept giving up points and giving you tons of chances...you only returned 4 td's...WHO CARES About that...your a WUSSY and fumble like a bitch....when u were playing wideout u did nothing....oh wait...u fumbled PLENTY...your nothing and the browns dont need u to be good...if anything your bitch mode probably holds them back...not man enough to uphold your contract you agreed to....just a BITCH
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Jul 26, 2009
08:36 AM
Cribbs is a special teams demon, but why would the Browns overpay for that? He had 2 or 3 receptions last season...