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Cribbs poses double threat

Browns player returns both kickoffs and punts

By George M. Thomas Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Friday, Sep 07, 2007

BEREA: Last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers got a whiff of what Joshua Cribbs could do on kickoff returns when he ran one back 92 yards for a score.

Sunday, they will have to worry about the former Kent State quarterback on punt returns, too, for the Browns, as Cribbs takes over for the departed Dennis Northcutt.

Since organized team activities this spring until the third preseason game, Cribbs' duties in that role have been a work in progress.

''As I got more comfortable with it from OTAs up until the last game (against the Chicago Bears), I just focused on catching the ball, making the right decisions and getting north and south,'' the third-year player said.

That work paid dividends in the team's final preseason game. Against the Bears, he took a punt back 70 yards for a score and totaled 111 yards on four returns in the first half.

''Overall, Cribbs has done a good job as far as catching the ball. I didn't think we'd given him enough opportunities in the preseason,'' coach Romeo Crennel said. ''But (against Chicago) with him being able to catch the ball on the road, after he ran the one back for a touchdown, we said, 'Hey, he might be able to do it.'''

Though the jobs might appear similar, Cribbs said returning punts is different than dropping back to field a kickoff.

''Whenever I go out there for a punt return, I'm thinking 'ball security,''' he said after Tuesday's team practice. ''I'm capable of returning balls, so I don't have any doubt in my ability. I just want to make the right decisions when I'm out there.''

In two seasons with the Browns, Cribbs has averaged more than 24 yards on kickoff returns. In each season, he has taken one all the way for a score, and he has been a mainstay on coverage units. The team rewarded his efforts with a six-year contract extension last year. His work hasn't gone unnoticed by teammates.

''Josh has been doing that since he got here. He's kind of like the X-factor,'' quarterback Charlie Frye said. ''You always count on him to have good field position. Not too many times are we starting inside the 20.

''Now that he's doing punt returns, you know he's going to make a big play for you.''

Cribbs could be a factor on more than special teams. He had every opportunity to grab hold of the third wide receiver role with Tim Carter, who came to the Browns in a trade with the New York Giants, but couldn't quite beat him out.

''Third wide receiver is a myth. Plays are designed for different types of receivers,'' Cribbs said. ''I'm in in different situations. . . . It's like that for a reason. I'm on all special teams. That's my big contribution. Whatever I can contribute on offense, I do.''

That role on the offensive side of the ball might expand given that coordinator Rob Chudzinski's new system focuses on creating mismatches and Cribbs' set of skills gleaned from quarterbacking the KSU Golden Flashes.

Cribbs doesn't want to talk about what could happen when he plays receiver. Are there plays designed especially for him? Maybe. Maybe not.

''I'm looking forward to the maybe,'' he said with a grin.

George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/sportsblitz/

BEREA: Last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers got a whiff of what Joshua Cribbs could do on kickoff returns when he ran one back 92 yards for a score.

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