Josh

Cribbs

Grossi expects the Browns’ coaching staff to lessen Cribbs’ offensive role once they realize that he is “invaluable” as a special teams player. With Travis Benjamin and Josh Cooper now in the mix behind Mohamed Massaquoi and emerging Greg Little, Cribbs only figures to see a dozen or so snaps each week.

The Browns don’t seem interested in restructuring Cribbs’ contract, and they’re not going to be competitive any time soon. A Pro Bowl special teamer may be a luxury they can’t afford, so it’s worth see what kind of draft-pick package they can get in return. Cribbs would likely require a new contract wherever he winds up.

Per USA Today’s Mike Garofolo, Cribbs has other visits “lined up.” Cribbs visited the Cardinals in March, but wasn’t healthy enough to sign as he recovered from meniscus surgery. After failing over and over again as a receiver, Cribbs would likely be signed as a return specialist in Oakland.

Cribbs didn’t sign, and is supposedly drawing interest from three other teams. Cribbs almost signed with Arizona in March, but talks stalled due to concerns about his knee. The Cardinals have since moved on after loading up on potential return specialists in the draft. We’ll find out how much interest Cribbs is truly generating over the next 48 hours.

Cribbs visited the Raiders on Monday, leaving with a contract offer but not a deal. He’d be a bit of an odd fit in New York, as the Jets already have capable return men in Joe McKnight and Jeremy Kerley. Cribbs would imperil McKnight’s roster spot if signed, and allow Kerley to focus on receiving.

Cribbs is in the Motor City on Monday after visiting Oakland and both New York teams last week. He’ll be signed for his special-teams prowess, not his receiving ability.

Looks like he’s done. Knee problems popped up on Cribbs’ offseason physicals, and his lack of burst was evident on kickoff returns in preseason games. The Raiders will go with Jacoby Ford as their No. 3 receiver and return specialist.

There had been some confusion over when Cribbs would be ready to resume football activities after Jets GM John Idzik said his knee “wasn’t quite there yet.” Cribbs initially refuted the claim, but Coach Dennis Allen cleared it up today, stating his kick returner won’t practice until training camp. Cribbs will be the Raiders’ primary return man once the season starts.

Jets GM John Idzik said just yesterday that Cribbs’ knee wasn’t yet up to snuff coming off meniscus surgery, but the Raiders decided they couldn’t wait to sign the return specialist. Going on 30, Cribbs has taken a number of thundering hits over the years, but remained one of the league’s best return men last season. Cribbs should see little, if any, time on offense. He’s surpassed 200 yards receiving only twice in his eight-year career.

Cribbs called Jets GM John Idzik’s observation that his knee "(wasn’t) quite there yet” a “negotiation tactic” before admitting he might not be ready to practice for over a month. Regardless, Cribbs should be ready well in advance of Week 1, and is slotted in as the Raiders’ primary return man.