SI's Peter King gives Josh Cribbs some love

by Buckeye Brad on Nov 11, 2008 11:24 AM EST

Peter King wrote extensively in his MMQB column this week about Josh Cribbs, calling him the best special teams player in the NFL. He notes that it is unusual for a great return man to also be a suburb "gunner" on the punt team. He goes so far to say that he's never seen a player in the kicking game like Cribbs (and this guy has seen a lot of football games), calling him the most complete special-teams package of pursuit, blocking and returning playing today. That's high praise for Cribbs. I think most Browns fans don't realize how lucky we are to have a weapon like him on our team.

King writes this about Cribbs' performance in the Denver game.

In the first quarter against Denver, he hand-swiped punt-returner Eddie Royal around the ankles, undercutting him for a two-yard gain and forcing Denver to travel 86 yards for a touchdown. Cribbs returned the ensuing kickoff 37 yards, which meant the Browns had to travel only 59 yards for Brady Quinn's first NFL touchdown drive. These are yards that show up in the box score but are rarely acknowledged. Cribbs' plays made Denver have to make a long drive for its TD, and shortened the field for Cleveland's TD drive. That's what great special-team players do. For the game, he had four of Cleveland's six special-teams tackles and added 140 return yards.

I'm glad to see us finally starting to use him a little bit in the offense. I know that he's so valuable on special teams that we can't use him too much, but his wide array of talents can help us move the ball and also give opposing coaches something to worry about. I'd like to see him throw the ball once in a while in a trick play; he was a QB for many years so he should be able to throw a decent pass.

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If anybody on this team “deserves” a new contract, he goes to the front of the line. Clearly Savage’s best draft eligible FA signing and probably the best ever for the Browns.

Oh The People You Meet When Your Out of Ammo.........

by Juannieboy on Nov 11, 2008 3:05 PM EST reply actions

Not only that, but he’s durable and has a magnificent attitude about football, the Browns, the coaching staff and life.

by elsandito on Nov 11, 2008 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

Love Cribbs!

I was so excited to see Joshua Cribbs get some much-deserved pub in Peter King’s column. Even though he didn’t have his same explosiveness as a return man early in the year, he made play after play on special teams, especially as a gunner.

He is without question one of the 5 most indispensable players on the Browns, and also one of our only leaders. I was pumped to see Cribbs step up earlier this week and call out players for quitting on not playing hard.

Cribbs Calls Out Browns for Quitting

On a team that seems devoid of play-matters and leaders most of the time, Joshua Cribbs is one of the few guys who fulfills both roles. Glad to see him get the recognition.

by DallasDawgPounder on Nov 12, 2008 10:22 AM EST reply actions

Cribbs being Brian Mitcheled to death

Brian Mitchel had more talent than half the Skins and Eagles that he played on in the early 90’s but was pigeon holed to returns. He set records their BUT he would have been a Westbrook if given the chance. He was also a good QB. I think Cribbs should be a major part of the offense. Billick didn’t utilize Jermaine Lewis enough and it hurt us bad.

by raven on Nov 15, 2008 5:51 PM EST reply actions

I would support that thought, but it is interesting to see what’s happened with Devin Hester in Chicago. As soon as they make him a starting receiver, his return numbers go down heavily, and he’s not that effective of a receiver either.

I’d like to think the story would be different for a more physical Cribbs.

Dawgs By Nature - Find out why Pittsburgh still sucks.

by Chris Pokorny on Nov 17, 2008 6:41 PM EST up reply actions