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Do IT this week: Layering
Tests are still being run. His status for Sunday against Lions uncertain
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Nov 19, 2009
BEREA: Josh Cribbs isn't out of the woods yet with the neck injury he suffered Monday night after a hard hit on the final play of the game by Baltimore Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards.
Although a concussion has been ruled out, Cribbs sat out practice Wednesday and his status for Sunday's game against the Lions in Detroit remains uncertain.
''There was a lot of precautionary things that took place [at the hospital],'' Cribbs said. ''They tested me, are still running tests on me, because there's a lot of things that can happen as a result of it. So they're just making sure I'm all clear, all ready to go and coherent as the week goes along and progresses.''
As he recuperates, Cribbs has spoken to several members of the Ravens. He holds no grudges for what appeared to be an act of retaliation for a hit earlier in the game by Browns quarterback Brady Quinn on Ravens All-Pro linebacker Terrell Suggs, who left the game with a sprained medial collateral ligament.
''I didn't feel [it was retaliation] at the time because of the pain,'' Cribbs said. ''Then, they reached out to me, a lot of the Ravens guys. They reached out to me and let me know that it wasn't on purpose and it all happened so quick.
''[Edwards] thought I was trying to come block him after I pitched the ball. So they assured me they didn't mean nothing by it and a lot of the guys talked to [Ravens players] as well.''
Cribbs' act of grace also extends to Browns coach Eric Mangini, who admitted Tuesday if he could have the play back, Cribbs wouldn't have been on the field. The pair met separately to discuss the situation, then did so again together with the team.
''In retrospect, I would probably do it differently if I had to do it again,'' Mangini said Tuesday. ''You don't want anybody to get hurt on any play.''
But somebody did, and it wasn't just anybody — it was Cribbs.
That was the point made by Cribbs' agent J.R. Rickert, who was incensed that his client was even on the field in junk time.
''He was upset,'' Cribbs said. ''He felt like the game was out of reach, like a lot of other people was feeling, and starters and stuff shouldn't have been in there.''
And now Cribbs, who has taken the professional route by playing all season without complaint despite trying to negotiate a new contract, has a new perspective on his priorities.
''[Injury] is the exact thing I worry about,'' he said. ''And we're going to make sure we get that [contract] handled because it really is a touchy subject for me now. It put a lot of things into perspective getting hurt like that and [knowing] it possibly could have been worse.''
Yet, the competitor in Cribbs won't allow him to completely agree with his agent and public sentiment about being involved in the meaningless play.
''I just feel like I wouldn't have wanted to come out,'' Cribbs said. ''Even though [Rickert] still feels like, 'Hey, you shouldn't have been in there, the coach should have taken you out,' I wanted to be in there. But that's not my call. I can't pull myself out of a game, nor would I ever do that.''
Not even with just three seconds left in Monday night's game and the Ravens leading 16-0.
The Browns could have played it safe but instead, Quinn got in the huddle and told the offense to do what they could to keep the ball alive. So when Cribbs got the ball on a short slant pass from Quinn, he lateraled it to tight end Robert Royal.
A split second later, he was flattened by Edwards' crushing forearm blow.
''I just relaxed, it's probably why the hit was so severe,'' Cribbs said. ''I pitched the ball off and then I kind of just stopped, about to go and try to get a pitch back from him again. But I kind of relaxed a little bit and was defenseless. That's why he got a good hit on me.''
Stephanie Storm can be reached
at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
BEREA: Josh Cribbs isn't out of the woods yet with the neck injury he suffered Monday night after a hard hit on the final play of the game by Baltimore Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Naples, FL
Posted 06:20 AM, 11/19/2009
The fact is, if the Browns had taken a knee on the last couple of plays the fans would have been screaming that Mangini and the players had quit. If he takes Cribbs out and some other player gets hurt in his place it's OK? It's football, the Browns suck, the fans are mad so it's one more negative thing to complain about.
norka, OH
Posted 07:05 AM, 11/19/2009
correct you are CR at least we are still B####ing about them, complete Apathy has not set in yet!
Berlin, OH
Posted 07:48 AM, 11/19/2009
Apaty has set in rekill! Only fools don't know when to move on to a winner in our state. Brown's fans should demand ticket refunds, and stay home for the remainder of the season. Go Bengals!
Akron, , OH
Posted 08:02 AM, 11/19/2009
There's nothing wrong with his neck.
Wichita Falls, Tx
Posted 03:04 PM, 11/19/2009
If I was JC I would be asking a lawyer about a settlement $$$ or a 40 & a burrito. Just kidding! As I've stated before, the players with any talent at all need to be delt away, (BQ,JT,JC and a very few others) and let the new DFO / GM take over with a clean slate, lots of $$$ and lots of draft picks. Don't trade them for nothing short of 2 or 3 rd rounders. Joe Thomas is worth 2 #1's by himself, Cribbs is worth #2 & #3 this and another #2 the next, Brady right now can get you probably a 2 & 3, hell his arm's fresh and he runs fast (plenty of pratice running in cleveland). I want this team to rebuild fast, smart, and for the long haul. Charley Casserly = Director of football op's / GM, Holmgren = coach, give a free hand with lots of $$$. 2 years we will have winning records, 3 years in playoffs. Takes time to build a winner, look at houston, they have a defense we would die for.
AKRON, OH
Posted 04:05 PM, 11/19/2009
I would have liked to have a seen an attempt at a long ball. However as the article stated at that moment in the game there was 3 seconds left( that means 1 and only 1 more play). So there is no, I repeat NO reason to call some hair brained lateral the ball and pitch it to someone else. It doesn't matter how exciting the play is, there is not a singlr play in the NFL that allows you to score six points. That play call was just dumb;almost as dumb as a QB sneak on first and ten.
naples, fl
Posted 07:11 PM, 11/19/2009
CleveRox:
You are right on, right on!!!!
All these frontrunners/wagoneers naysayers would b$tch regardless.
Got to atleast keep the team competitive till the last bell !!!! Way to go Cribbs !!!!
