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Cribbs prepares to prove himself
Former KSU quarterback vying for roster spot
By Gary Estwick
Beacon Journal sports writer
Joshua Cribbs made an impact at Kent State with his arm and uncanny ability to elude defenders.
If Cribbs is to earn a roster spot this summer with the Browns, he will have to rely on skills that were unfamiliar to him in college: returning kicks, blocking and tackling.
Special teams might not be his final destination in the NFL, but it will surely be the start to his professional career. It continued Sunday as rookies and select veterans reported to Berea.
The former quarterback feels like a walk-on.
``Everything has changed,'' said Cribbs, who made the switch to receiver this spring. He has never played the position. He also has never returned kickoffs or punts.
He's never turned down a challenge, either.
``Everything I did in college means nothing,'' Cribbs said. ``You have to prove yourself all over again.''
Browns coaches have told Cribbs that No. 1 pick Braylon Edwards probably will be the only rookie receiver catching balls on Sundays this fall.
That leaves just a few roster spots for Cribbs and others to earn.
That's OK. Cribbs was no cream puff under center in Kent.
Besides football, he lettered in baseball, basketball and swimming at Dunbar High in Washington, D.C.
At KSU, his strong arm and timely scrambles made him one of the most athletic players in the Mid-American Conference. He even asked coaches at KSU to let him return a couple of punts -- to no avail.
Ready or not, here's his chance.
``Whatever I need to do, and whatever I can excel at, I'm going to do,'' he said.
Cribbs played receiver for the first time in January at the Las Vegas All-American Classic. He also survived the Browns' passing camp and minicamp. Coaches made sure he spent a considerable amount of time watching Edwards, Dennis Northcutt, Andre Davis and Antonio Bryant.
Because of that, and the hours of practice he has spent with high school and college teammate Darrell Dowery, Cribbs said he's improved his route running.
He's starting to look like a receiver.
That's good because the leniency that coaches showed during minicamp could end.
``They've told me everything they can tell me,'' Cribbs said. ``Right now, it's up to me to show and prove that I can do it.''
If Cribbs had his choice, he would return to quarterback.
His agent, Andre Colona, thought that it would be a good idea for Cribbs to tell the Browns that if they need another arm in camp...
``The more positions he can play, the better chance of finding a spot on the roster,'' Colona said.
Cribbs' arm -- and guts to switch positions -- has earned the praise of coach Romeo Crennel.
Cribbs has the desire. The confidence is also there. So is a hint of nerves.
Don't let the butterflies fool you: Cribbs is ready.
``I plan on succeeding,'' he said. ``I don't plan on failing. I don't even look at that as an option.''
Former KSU quarterback vying for roster spot
By Gary Estwick
Beacon Journal sports writer
Joshua Cribbs made an impact at Kent State with his arm and uncanny ability to elude defenders.
If Cribbs is to earn a roster spot this summer with the Browns, he will have to rely on skills that were unfamiliar to him in college: returning kicks, blocking and tackling.
Special teams might not be his final destination in the NFL, but it will surely be the start to his professional career. It continued Sunday as rookies and select veterans reported to Berea.
The former quarterback feels like a walk-on.
``Everything has changed,'' said Cribbs, who made the switch to receiver this spring. He has never played the position. He also has never returned kickoffs or punts.
He's never turned down a challenge, either.
``Everything I did in college means nothing,'' Cribbs said. ``You have to prove yourself all over again.''
Browns coaches have told Cribbs that No. 1 pick Braylon Edwards probably will be the only rookie receiver catching balls on Sundays this fall.
That leaves just a few roster spots for Cribbs and others to earn.
That's OK. Cribbs was no cream puff under center in Kent.
Besides football, he lettered in baseball, basketball and swimming at Dunbar High in Washington, D.C.
At KSU, his strong arm and timely scrambles made him one of the most athletic players in the Mid-American Conference. He even asked coaches at KSU to let him return a couple of punts -- to no avail.
Ready or not, here's his chance.
``Whatever I need to do, and whatever I can excel at, I'm going to do,'' he said.
Cribbs played receiver for the first time in January at the Las Vegas All-American Classic. He also survived the Browns' passing camp and minicamp. Coaches made sure he spent a considerable amount of time watching Edwards, Dennis Northcutt, Andre Davis and Antonio Bryant.
Because of that, and the hours of practice he has spent with high school and college teammate Darrell Dowery, Cribbs said he's improved his route running.
He's starting to look like a receiver.
That's good because the leniency that coaches showed during minicamp could end.
``They've told me everything they can tell me,'' Cribbs said. ``Right now, it's up to me to show and prove that I can do it.''
If Cribbs had his choice, he would return to quarterback.
His agent, Andre Colona, thought that it would be a good idea for Cribbs to tell the Browns that if they need another arm in camp...
``The more positions he can play, the better chance of finding a spot on the roster,'' Colona said.
Cribbs' arm -- and guts to switch positions -- has earned the praise of coach Romeo Crennel.
Cribbs has the desire. The confidence is also there. So is a hint of nerves.
Don't let the butterflies fool you: Cribbs is ready.
``I plan on succeeding,'' he said. ``I don't plan on failing. I don't even look at that as an option.''
