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Agent looking to restructure six-year deal
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008
BEREA: Now that the Browns' fortunes appear to have turned around, coach Romeo Crennel is discovering the ancillary cost of winning — contract demands.
On Tuesday, Pro Bowl kick returner Josh Cribbs joined tight end Kellen Winslow as Browns disgruntled with their current deals.
Cribbs said his new agent John Rickert had asked the Browns to restructure his six-year contract, which is worth just under $6 million and runs through 2012.
''I believe, I think he has,'' Cribbs said of Rickert. ''But I don't have to worry about that. Things are being handled right now, he's talking to the Browns management every day. Something will happen. If it doesn't, I'll be a star here playing football for the Browns.''
Joining the team as an undrafted free agent from Kent State in April 2005, the former Golden Flashes quarterback was thrilled when he signed an extension
in November 2006. Negotiated by former agent Andre Colona, that contract called for base salaries of $435,000 (2007), $520,000 (2008), $620,000 (2009), $635,000 (2010), $650,000 (2011) and $790,000 (2012). By mid-February, Cribbs had hired Rickert.
''My last agent, we didn't fit, we weren't the right type for each other,'' Cribbs said. ''I went with a different agent who can better handle my situation.''
Asked whether he regretted signing that long-term deal, Cribbs said, ''I regret a lot of things, but playing for the Cleveland Browns, I don't regret that. I love playing here. Since I've been here, I bleed orange and brown. Anything that goes on off the field I'm sure my agent will handle and the Browns will put me in a better situation so we can win football games.
''My loyalty is to this football team and I'm sure they'll show me the same loyalty in return.''
It is no coincidence that Cribbs' request came after Chicago Bears Pro Bowl kick returner Devin Hester signed a four-year extension last month worth a reported $40 million after a short camp holdout. It included $15 million guaranteed.
''I couldn't help but notice and I was happy for him,'' Cribbs said. ''He deserved every bit of it. He's a great talent in this league. It's good to see another returner get his.''
The Browns' all-time leader in kickoff return yards and the league leader in 2007 with 1,809 yards, Cribbs has returned a kickoff for a touchdown in three straight seasons. He has four of those for scores, along with one punt return, a responsibility he added last year. Unlike Hester, he also is the gunner and has led the special teams in tackles the past two seasons.
Crennel understands contract demands are a byproduct of last year's 10-6 season, which fell one game short of the playoffs.
''When you win, guys want more out of it,'' Crennel said. ''They know this business and how it goes. There's no guarantees about being able to win every year. They say, 'Make hay while the sun is shining.' ''
No matter how strongly Cribbs feels, his agent's demands could fall on deaf ears. NFL players generally don't get three contracts in their first four years. The contracts of Winslow (three years remaining), Braylon Edwards (two years remaining) and safety Sean Jones (one year remaining) could be higher priorities.
Cribbs said he won't be bitter if the deal isn't redone.
''I'm blessed to be where I am now. I started out having nothing. I came in and I got a $5,000 signing bonus and I was blessed to have that. 'Hey, I'm on the Browns team.' You remember how I was back in 2005.
''So I'm too blessed to be stressed.''
Surgery for Baxter
Safety Gary Baxter, attempting an unprecedented comeback from two torn patella tendons in 2006, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday, Crennel said. The coach wasn't sure what this setback will mean for Baxter's future.
''He's disappointed about it, but he's matured quite a bit and he'll be able to handle it,'' Crennel said. ''If he can handle two patella tendons on the same play, he can handle a piece of cartilage they take out of the knee.
''Gary wants to play. Sometime after the surgery, he'll evaluate the situation and make a decision on what he wants to do.''
Crennel said he showed the team a play Baxter made on July 28, breaking up a Brady Quinn pass over the middle intended for tight end Brad Cieslak.
''I showed it to the team that night because I thought that was meaningful,'' Crennel said. ''It was two years since he got his hands on that ball in a competitive situation. I think the guys in the room understood. They're pulling for him, just like he's pulling for himself.''
Sitting out
Expected to miss Thursday night's preseason home opener against the New York Jets are Winslow (hamstring), receiver Kevin Kasper (hamstring), tight end Steve Heiden (knee), fullback Lawrence Vickers (hamstring), linebacker Beau Bell (knee) and guard Seth McKinney (ankle).
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: Now that the Browns' fortunes appear to have turned around, coach Romeo Crennel is discovering the ancillary cost of winning — contract demands.
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