Cribbs says he wants to be a Brown
Posted July 20th, 2009 by Dan
When Browns veterans report to training camp on July 31, expect to see specials team/experimental wide receiver Josh Cribbs in attendance.
Cribbs assured as much while on the air with Mark "Munch" Bishop of WKNR (AM-850) saying "No. 16 will be on the field, proudly." He said contract talks have not been furthered, but he's happy to have a job.
"I don't have the contract I would like, but nonetheless I have it better than others," he said.
Cribbs is in the first half a of a six-year, $6.77 million contract and wants it to be restructured. He's set to make a reasonable $690,000 this season.
Even as he's threatened to ask for a trade and skipped some "voluntary" workouts, he insists he wants to play for the Browns and will continue to work hard.
"I'm going to still play as hard as I can," he said. "I don't know any other way to play. I don't want to go anywhere else, I want to stay in Cleveland. I'm going to do everything I can physically and business-wise to stay in Cleveland because this is where I want to be. If something else happens, I don't think it's on me.
"I can't make every person understand my point of view and a lot of fans just don't understand the nature of football and the contract situations and everything. I'm just going to keep playing and I don't mind any fan express any point of view to me and I will respectfully converse with them. I want to see us win big and be a part of that when it happens. Hopefully that happens this year and I'm on that team."
You can listen to the entire interview here. The interview is about 20 minutes long, but worth the time. Cribbs talks some about his community involvement before getting into the contract situation.
What makes it so interesting is that Cribbs continually talks about wanting to play in Cleveland and being a hard worker. Moments later, though, he says that playing in the NFL was his dream, just not necessarily with the Browns.
He's clearly a conflicted player. It's hard to tell which is more important to him – the money or the opportunity. From the standpoint of a jaded Cleveland fan, it seems a little too much like the former.
July 20th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
These idiots sign long term contracts not understanding what "long term" means. Their agents walk off with a big payoff and then the player blames the club. They should study more while in school.
July 20th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Agreed!
July 21st, 2009 at 12:33 am
You are not an offensive or defensive starter! And you almost make a million, in a bad economy. Try pumping gas for a living or any real job. Grow up and appreciate what you get for a few plays a game!
July 21st, 2009 at 12:49 am
Josh Cribbs is an outstanding young man and a rising star player, espeically in the kicking game.
I am in full support of redoing the deal of a player who has clearly out performed his contract. Wouldn't you want a raise if you were performing better than your coworkers? Would you honestly not so much as bring it up even once? I am so sick and tired of fans who whine when players ask for their own raises.
Cribbs may not be a starter, but he is a FOOTBALL PLAYER, and in Cleveland those kinds of guys seem to be in short supply right now.
I'd say give him anywhere between 1.2 Mil and 1.9 Mil a year for four years. The guy's worth every penny.
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:45 am
Josh:
I agree that you are a hard working player and I feel that you are an important part of the Cleveland Browns. I am a Kent State fan and I wish you well in your football career.
I understand that the average players career is relatively short and that you need to maxamize your earnings. Additionally, football is a violent sport and you can be injured and your career can end early.
However, you negotiated a contract that at the time was "fair" to both you and the Cleveland Browns. Now based on your performance and your selection to the Pro Bowl you feel that you are more valuable and deserve a salary increase.
Please ask yourself one question about your current long term contract – If I were performing poorly would I volunteer to renegotiate and reduce my salary?
If your "honest" answer to this question is yes then I support your desire to negotiate a new contract.
If your answer is no I do not support you desire for a new contract and feel that you should continue to honor your current contract.
October 27th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
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