not to get off topic but........... i like Cribbs as a KR but with the new kickoff rules being applied and most being touchbacks, if you were the Browns would have you signed him to a big multiyear contract knowing he wouldnt be returning many kicks?
I know we looked pretty good Sat, and it is alright to be optimistic but i still see them going 6-10 and then improving on that in 2012. One thing i took away from Sat is that we finally have a off cord play caller for the first time since the Browns have been back. No more knowing the play before they even break the huddle. No more Carthon. No more Dabol. I like the unpredictable play calling of Shurmur. Our offense is going to be so much better because of that alone. Defense , injuries , depth is going to be our enemy this year. also dont like the end of the schedule, Balt and Pitt 4 times in the last 5 games? gimme a break

BR1986FB;862933 wrote:MaryKayCabot Mary Kay Cabot
# Browns OL Billy Yates came in this morning and is most likely retiring. Left before practice.

Damn he played last year too. Thought he was great depth.

Mr Miyagi;863005 wrote:not to get off topic but........... i like Cribbs as a KR but with the new kickoff rules being applied and most being touchbacks, if you were the Browns would have you signed him to a big multiyear contract knowing he wouldnt be returning many kicks?
I know we looked pretty good Sat, and it is alright to be optimistic but i still see them going 6-10 and then improving on that in 2012. One thing i took away from Sat is that we finally have a off cord play caller for the first time since the Browns have been back. No more knowing the play before they even break the huddle. No more Carthon. No more Dabol. I like the unpredictable play calling of Shurmur. Our offense is going to be so much better because of that alone. Defense , injuries , depth is going to be our enemy this year. also dont like the end of the schedule, Balt and Pitt 4 times in the last 5 games? gimme a break

First of all, I'd like to see Cribbs delegated to just punt returns. I liked what I seen from Norwood enough to let him take over KR duties, for now. To answer your question though...

Yes. Absolutely I would've signed Cribbs to a long term deal. For starters, they didn't know (when they signed him) that kickoffs would be shortened. If they did, I can only imagine they wouldn't have signed him for AS much money - probably would've still gotten the years though.

Also, Cribbs (prior to last year) was one of the most explosive returners in the game during his first contract. Then, injuries got the best of him last year, so really it's hard to tell what he'd done if healthy. Field position is so key, as I'm sure you know, and the KR position has evolved into one of the more explosive positions in the NFL. So for me, anyway, Cribbs deserved his contract. He outplayed it, in a sense, the way Desean Jackson outplayed his. If that makes sense.

OhioStatePride2003;863012 wrote:First of all, I'd like to see Cribbs delegated to just punt returns. I liked what I seen from Norwood enough to let him take over KR duties, for now. To answer your question though...

Yes. Absolutely I would've signed Cribbs to a long term deal. For starters, they didn't know (when they signed him) that kickoffs would be shortened. If they did, I can only imagine they wouldn't have signed him for AS much money - probably would've still gotten the years though.

Also, Cribbs (prior to last year) was one of the most explosive returners in the game during his first contract. Then, injuries got the best of him last year, so really it's hard to tell what he'd done if healthy. Field position is so key, as I'm sure you know, and the KR position has evolved into one of the more explosive positions in the NFL. So for me, anyway, Cribbs deserved his contract. He outplayed it, in a sense, the way Desean Jackson outplayed his. If that makes sense.

Cribbs is a decent punt returner, but is one of the best kick returners of all time. If anything I'd exclusively put him on kick returns and let Norwood handle the punt returns.

Y-Town Steelhound;863015 wrote:Cribbs is a decent punt returner, but is one of the best kick returners of all time. If anything I'd exclusively put him on kick returns and let Norwood handle the punt returns.

That works too. I'd really like to see Norwood take over both, or whoever, and allow Cribbs to concentrate on playing WR. I think he's a capable WR, just needs a tad more work. Could ultimately be a Brad Smith type of WR

Any kicker NOT named "Phil Dawson" in the NFL will neutralize Cribbs by kicking the ball out of the end zone or too far back for him to return it.

BR1986FB;863022 wrote:Any kicker NOT named "Phil Dawson" in the NFL will neutralize Cribbs by kicking the ball out of the end zone or too far back for him to return it.

Don't let Tony Grossi hear this.

BR1986FB;863022 wrote:Any kicker NOT named "Phil Dawson" in the NFL will neutralize Cribbs by kicking the ball out of the end zone or too far back for him to return it.

On the subject of the new kickoff rule. I can also see teams kicking a "pop up" of some sort to around the goal line in trying to allow a short return behind the 20.

TigerNation10;863027 wrote:On the subject of the new kickoff rule. I can also see teams kicking a "pop up" of some sort to around the goal line in trying to allow a short return behind the 20.

I do think this is a better strategy than just giving them a freebie at the 20. Might make a nervous return man cough it up.

hoops23;863025 wrote:Don't let Tony Grossi hear this.

LOL...I questioned this the other night. Dude can hit a 60 yarder when the ball is held on the ground but can't consistenently kick it 70 yards off a tee?

BR1986FB;863030 wrote:LOL...I questioned this the other night. Dude can hit a 60 yarder when the ball is held on the ground but can't consistenently kick it 70 yards off a tee?

The kicker out of Missouri looked good on Saturday. His name escapes me at the moment, but his kick-offs were solid. Any chance they keep both kickers? One for FG and one for kick-offs? Then, next year, we'll probably see the end of the "Dawson Era" in Cleveland?

BR1986FB;863022 wrote:Any kicker NOT named "Phil Dawson" in the NFL will neutralize Cribbs by kicking the ball out of the end zone or too far back for him to return it.

this is what i am saying......and if you KNEW this at the time would have you still paid him the big bucks and multiyear deal? I am not down on Cribbs but i do think the NFL is taking away his best talent by enforcing this kickoff rule.

Totally off topic here, but just heard on Sportscenter that the Texans are moving Mario Williams from DE to LB? What?!

OhioStatePride2003;863034 wrote:Totally off topic here, but just heard on Sportscenter that the Texans are moving Mario Williams from DE to LB? What?!

Yeah Texans fans were pretty upset when that was reported. Though I suspect some of that is a bit overblown.

OhioStatePride2003;863034 wrote:Totally off topic here, but just heard on Sportscenter that the Texans are moving Mario Williams from DE to LB? What?!

I don't understand it either. To me, the logical thing would be to line up Watt opposite of Williams and have Brooks Reed as the pass rushing OLB.

Aaron Maybin has been released by the Bills. He was their 2009 first round pick when Jauron was head coach. Could be a good pick up with our lack of depth.

TigerNation10;863055 wrote:Aaron Maybin has been released by the Bills. He was their 2009 first round pick when Jauron was head coach. Could be a good pick up with our lack of depth.

I think he's worth a shot. Cheap, young, potential.

Heard a rumor Hardesty was hurt today in practice? Anyone else heard anything?

OhioStatePride2003;863076 wrote:Heard a rumor Hardesty was hurt today in practice? Anyone else heard anything?

SMH.

OhioStatePride2003;863031 wrote:The kicker out of Missouri looked good on Saturday. His name escapes me at the moment, but his kick-offs were solid. Any chance they keep both kickers? One for FG and one for kick-offs? Then, next year, we'll probably see the end of the "Dawson Era" in Cleveland?

Wolfert

OhioStatePride2003;863034 wrote:Totally off topic here, but just heard on Sportscenter that the Texans are moving Mario Williams from DE to LB? What?!

This is stupid. They had talked about this months ago. Guy plays D-Line at 295 lbs, I believe. He's going to have to drop over 30 lbs. Browns tried that with Kenard Lang (FAIL). Obviously Williams is a better player but this is dumb, imo.

TigerNation10;863055 wrote:Aaron Maybin has been released by the Bills. He was their 2009 first round pick when Jauron was head coach. Could be a good pick up with our lack of depth.

No thanks. This guy makes Vernon Gholston look like Julius Peppers. To play LB, I'm pretty sure Maybin dropped into the 220's and he'd be a "hand in the dirt" kinda guy here. Even Joe Pa, his coach, said "WTF was Buffalo thinking drafting him THAT high?"

EDIT: ESPN has Maybin listed at 228 lbs. Not exactly a 4-3 DE and he obviously sucks @ OLB in a 3-4.

OBR writer tweeted this after practice today

Brent Sobleski Cleveland depth at Dline and LB is downright scary. Very little explosiveness or strength among front 7

BR1986FB;863096 wrote:No thanks. This guy makes Vernon Gholston look like Julius Peppers. To play LB, I'm pretty sure Maybin dropped into the 220's and he'd be a "hand in the dirt" kinda guy here. Even Joe Pa, his coach, said "WTF was Buffalo thinking drafting him THAT high?"

The guy only had 26 tackles, and 0 sacks. I will pass as well.

Bills are getting as bad as the Browns. With the trade of Lee Evans and cutting of Maybin they now have four 1st rounders on their roster.

I follow Hardesty on Twitter and I've seen nothing about an injury. I may be wrong but I've seen nothing as of yet.