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Former KSU quarterback's role might be rising
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008
CLEVELAND: Before signing with the Browns as a rookie free agent after the 2005 NFL Draft, kick returner Joshua Cribbs told his friends that he was looking to do anything he could to make the team.
''The more you can do, the more value you have to a football team. Put me anywhere and I'll play,'' he said after Tuesday's practice.
Judging from the offensive package the Browns have installed for him, it's quite possible that Cribbs' value will be rising.
The former Kent State University quarterback ran plays that highlighted his versatility, allowing him to run an option, take off running or pass.
The oddest part of the latter — watching a statuesque Derek Anderson split out at the wide-receiver spot.
''We want to keep defenses on their toes at all times anytime I'm out there, whether it's as a decoy or not,'' Cribbs said. ''We want them shouting my number. We want them to know that I'm on the field to make the offense more flexible.''
Coach Romeo Crennel downplayed Cribbs' practice, attributing it to being just his day as far as working on things, but he definitely fits into the offense's plans.
''We'll work lots of things that we think will work, but then when it comes down to game-planning, if we decide we want to game-plan a particular play we will not do that until the game week,'' he said.
As it is, Cribbs already is a dual threat on punt and kickoff returns. Last year, he averaged
30.7 yards on 59 kickoff returns with two touchdowns, including one for 100 yards. On punt returns, he averaged 13.5 yards on 30 chances with one score. Topping it off, he added 23 special teams tackles. Even with that resume, he knows that he can improve.
''Raise the standard for myself,'' he said quickly when asked how. ''If you look at each year that I had, I got better each and every year. Last year, I made the Pro Bowl, so this year I have to do better. If I don't make [the Pro Bowl], I'll be upset because I'll feel like I didn't get better.''
While there's little doubt that Cribbs elevated his game each and every year he's been in the NFL, he could help his team immeasurably by developing into a consistent and reliable third receiver.
Last year, the opportunity existed for him to do so, and it slipped through his fingers. With wide receiver Joe Jurevicius unlikely for the opening of the season, he can once again fill that role.
''This year, I have to get better at playing wide receiver, using my fundamentals more,'' he said. ''I knew I was going to have to step up and have to try to become the third receiver this year and help my team out more on offense.''
He spent much of the off-season working on his receiving skills, he said. Some of that work may be helping.
Although he dropped two balls early during a practice, he redeemed himself later on by catching three others, including one ball during a two-minute drill in which quarterback Brady Quinn hit him in stride about 20 yards down the field.
Cribbs did the rest, splitting the defenders on his way to a touchdown. Flashes like that bolster his confidence.
''I'm determined, but at the same time, I feel like I'm the 12th man on offense, playing special teams,'' he said.
''I would love to go on the sideline, put a hat on and watch Braylon [Edwards] and Kellen [Winslow] do their thing, but when they need me, they're going to call my number and I'm going to be out there on offense and I'm going to be good to go.''
Brownies . . .
Coach Crennel gave defensive tackle Shaun Rogers and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. the day off. . . . Some of the Browns gave rookie Beau Bell a Simon Cowell-like grade after the rookie linebacker's rendition of the Temptations' Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me). ''I don't think we're going to pick that guy to sing anymore,'' linebacker Willie McGinest said after practice.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/sportsblitz/.
CLEVELAND: Before signing with the Browns as a rookie free agent after the 2005 NFL Draft, kick returner Joshua Cribbs told his friends that he was looking to do anything he could to make the team.
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