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Do IT this week: Layering
Ex-KSU standout's return of 92 yards for touchdown is his first of season
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Monday, Nov 03, 2008
CLEVELAND: Joshua Cribbs said his Browns teammates kept telling him he was due.
The former Kent State quarterback came into Sunday's game against the visiting Baltimore Ravens with five returns for touchdowns in his career, four on kickoffs. But the 2007 Pro Bowler hadn't run back a kick or punt for six points this season.
Cribbs last scored on a punt return in the 2007 finale against the San Francisco 49ers and on a kickoff Nov. 11 at Pittsburgh.
His drought ended Sunday with his 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the first quarter providing a needed spark. But his efforts weren't enough as the Browns blew a 14-point, third-quarter lead and lost 37-27 to the Ravens.
''It's nice from an individual standpoint, but you've got to press on and get a win for the team,'' Cribbs said. ''It was time for me to start pulling my weight around here. I need to do this every game.''
Cribbs personally was responsible for 14 points, as his 32-yard punt return in the third quarter set up another touchdown. He eluded five tacklers before being brought down at the Baltimore 28. On the next play, quarterback Derek Anderson hit Braylon Edwards for the score.
''The bright spot was Josh Cribbs,'' Browns coach Romeo Crennel said afterward. ''He tried to do it himself, but he didn't get enough help.''
Cribbs' 237 kickoff-return yards was the Browns' second-most in a game, trailing his 245 at Baltimore last Nov. 18. He finished with a 33.9 average on seven kickoffs and a 13.7 average on three punt returns, along with three special-teams tackles.
''Their special-teams unit is unbelievable,'' Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. ''You probably saw a healthy Joshua Cribbs for the first time this year. That guy is hard to bring down.''
Cribbs suffered a high-ankle sprain in the preseason that forced him to miss the opener.
With 5:05 left in the first quarter and the Browns trailing 10-0, Cribbs broke loose. The Raven with the best shot at him near midfield was rookie safety Haruki Nakamura, a Lakewood St. Edward High School product. After Nakamura's miss, Cribbs outraced cornerback Corey Ivy to the end zone.
His previous long on a kickoff return this season was 44 yards at Cincinnati.
''It was nice blocking. A nice call by the coach, all the blocks were made and I did what I do,'' Cribbs said. ''Today was special. We were struggling on offense and defense and it was needed. It came at the right time and gave us a spark. We just weren't able to finish at the end.''
Despite taking a helmet to the thigh, Cribbs said he nearly broke one or two more.
''After the first one, everybody was saying, 'You got one more in the tank?' and I was like, 'Yeah, yeah, I'm in a zone,' '' he said. ''I felt like I had another one in me. I was this close again. I'll be thinking about that on the ride home.''
But Cribbs left knowing he gave everything he had.
''Every time I'm getting hit and feel groggy and bleeding all over the place, I love it,'' he said. ''It's football. It's what I signed up for. I love the toughness of the sport. I'll get a massage and get in the hot tub, get some maintenance done and do it all over again.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
CLEVELAND: Joshua Cribbs said his Browns teammates kept telling him he was due.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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akron, OH
Posted 09:39 AM, 11/03/2008
KUDOS TO CRIBBS,IF ANYONE DESERVES A NEW CONTRACT IS CRIBBS.A GREAT ROLE MODEL FOR ANYONE IN THIS LOOK AT ME WORLD OF TODAY. THANKS I ENJOY WATCHING YOU MR. CRIBBS ENTERTAIN AND PLAY FOOTBALL EACH TIME YOU TAKE THE FIELD.
Posted 10:29 AM, 11/03/2008
Cribbs was great as Usual...returning the ball...We know he can catch and we know he can run...Why don't they have him in the Slot where he can take the quick pass to the outside or run the end around or the reverse?...
Look at the Offense in the NY GAME...We didn't run it before or since....What did that offense do that gave us our best production of the year against one of the very best defensives in the league...
We used our speed to threaten the Corners Harrison and Cribbs..That Kept the Rush down from the outside linebackers and Defensive Ends ....It kept the Linebackers from dropping into the passing lanes for just enough time to open up our tight end
and it kept them from stacking the middle so Harrison had more room to run inside.
Harrison and Lewis in the backfied together...Would be a tremendous help to Lewis...currently without a significent threat to the outside the Defense just stacks the middle..
CHUD says this is impossible can't play Harrison and Lewis in the same backfield...NY does it ...Philly does it...Two actual running backs in the backfield are becomming common in the NFL..
AT THE END OF THE YEAR CHUD AND ROMEO NEED TO GO...Chud is too stupid to recognize what made his offense work against NY...and repeat it...
The threat of Cribbs and Harrison to the outside...Gave Anderson more time, and lewis more room....IT WORKS.
Posted 03:11 PM, 11/03/2008
As a fan I thought we would have much to cheer about this year. No Jerevicius. no hands Edwards not to mention Mr Anderson. Cribbs gave the Browns chance after chance with his punt and kickoff returns, and we couldn't do any better than three and out. I dont blame Derek Anderson for everything because even with Brady throwing without pass protection the same results be the outcome
