Cribbs

Joshua Cribbs is one of the lone bright spots for the Cleveland Browns. Cribbs may be the best returner in the league. Not only that, but on a Cleveland Brown offense that doesn’t have an established starting quarterback, he also takes snap from under center in the Browns’ version of the Wildcat. He is also listed as a starting reciever on a receiving core who has just lost their lone pro bowler Braylon Edwards via trade. What makes it even more impressive what he is doing on special teams is that he played quarterback himself at Kent State in college.

Coming into the 2009 season Cribbs had 192 receiving yards and 295 career rushing yards. But that doesn’t sum up his impact on the Browns. At the end of the 2008 season, with both Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson injured, Cribbs was forced to produce most of the offense for the Browns as the wildcat QB. He split time with Ken Dorsey who was the starting QB for the Browns at the time. With the two first string QBs down Cleveland only managed to win four games in the 2008 season.

This season after winning its first game in Buffalo 6-3 in week 5, Cribbs got the call again. Derek Anderson completed two passes for 23 yards and an interception, with obviously no TDs. On the season now Anderson has 1 passing TD and 5 interceptions. Why not go to the backup you may ask? That would be Brady Quinn, who stared the season. He looked eratic and timid at best in his three starts as the Brown’s QB this season.

Going in to week 6 against the Brown’s(1-4) hated rivals the Steelers(3-2), something had to give.

At halftime of the Browns game the Steelers are winning 17-7. That lone first half touchdown for the Browns’ was scored by who? You have one guess. That’s right Josh Cribbs. With a few minutes left in the first half the Browns were down 14-0 when Cribbs went down the right sideline on a kickoff return of 98 yards. The sad part is that at the half in Cleveland’s power offense Cribb’s is also the leadin rusher with 3 carries for 30 yards.

On the season Cribbs has a rush average of 9.3 ypc. The first half return TD was the eighth of his career and second of the season. On a team were the offense has scored three TDs, and Cribbs has scored two it is easy for me to determine who the Brown’s MVP is. I am encouraged by the play of Mohammed Massaqoui at WR, which I will talk about more later. But for the most part, we (the Browns) only have one weapon and he wears number 16.