Cribbs SHOWS Critics He CAN Improve as a WR

[Tobalaz]

Originally Posted by DaBrowns41

That would require that our offense actually gets to the 43 yard line.

Who's to say Cribbs wasn't the one who returned the kick?

[Masters]

Originally Posted by Vegasdogg

This is really Cribbs' 3rd year playing WR. And the first was not too serious. Plus this is the first time he had a QB who actually knows where his numerals are on his jersey. 900 yds off offense this season.

So that wasnt' him catching passes 10 balls in in 2006? They have been working him at WR since 2005. He hasn't been just doing PR/KR at practices sinc ethen either. We can certainly find things not in his favor for the transition (coaching staff, QBs, etc.). But let's not pretend he just started practicing, watching film, and playing at WR 2 years ago.

[Boltblogger]

Cribbs can do anything asked of him on the football field. And yes, having competent quarterbacks this year will help ALL of our receivers. Just get the ball in his hands, in space, and watch him do his thing!!!!

[Enigmatic Evil]

I believe Cribbs can expand his role in our offense. Can he become a reliable WR option? I don't know about that but I think he can be more than JUST a KR/PR guy, weither that comes from expanded responsibility on the offense with WR or wildcat formations or through another avenue, I don't think it's a bad thing to try to exploit Cribbs' very large explosive potential for big plays.

[DaBrowns41]

Originally Posted by Vegasdogg

This is really Cribbs' 3rd year playing WR. And the first was not too serious. Plus this is the first time he had a QB who actually knows where his numerals are on his jersey. 900 yds off offense this season.

I just can't see 900 yards. I'm sorry. As of now, we have (believe it or not) too many options for Delhomme, for Cribbs to get that many catches, and I can guarantee that he won't run it enough for that.

With Mo Mass getting around 50-60 grabs, Robo getting around 45-55, and the TE's getting close to 80 combined, I don't see Cribbs catching the ball enough for that.

[DaBrowns41]

Originally Posted by Tobalaz

Who's to say Cribbs wasn't the one who returned the kick?

I was making a joke, tbh. But Cribbs won't continuously get to the 40+ yard line all the time either.

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Boltblogger

Cribbs can do anything asked of him on the football field. And yes, having competent quarterbacks this year will help ALL of our receivers. Just get the ball in his hands, in space, and watch him do his thing!!!!

Very good point Boltblogger!

How about that AWESOME catch he made on the sidelines tonight? I'm sorry folks but I see that as progress. He's clearly getting better at WR.
- Tom F.

[Masters]

Tom, it was a heck of a catch he made. He impressed me with that play. I will still need to see him produce week in and week out at WR to fully buy Cribbs as a WR.

[Sez.EJ]

Great catch. I have been very critical of Cribbs as a reciever. I'm not backing off .. it was a great catch. He looked a bit better tonight.. ...that was ONE great catch... now lets see come consistency....Then we'll talk improvement.

[Tobalaz]

So far, my biggest surprise to this point has been Cribbs.
His catching is amazing compared to where he was at last season and he, as always, remains deadly in the open field.
That combination is going to make him a big play threat and something the defenses we face is going to have to gameplan for, which in turn opens other possibilities for the offense.
Cribbs looking better is going to make everyone around him look better.

Beautiful catch huh?

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Masters

Tom, it was a heck of a catch he made. He impressed me with that play. I will still need to see him produce week in and week out at WR to fully buy Cribbs as a WR.

I understand that. I'm just saying these are the best signs he has given us to date. Until this preseason, nobody had seen any improvement which is why Cribbs has so many doubters about his receiving skills/consistency. Understanding what Cribbs can do with a football in open fields this would be a really good thing if he masters this position/challenge. The more prongs of attack we can OPEN in 2010 the better. It looks like TE might actually become a legit prong of attack, which will help our QB and WRs considerably. In the mix of Robo, MoMass and Cribbs - we need at least 2 of the 3 to emerge as reliable while the TE position commands a little more attention and respect.

I KNOW people are most comfortable with Cribbs taking direct snaps from Center and running the ball. However, we already have the following RBs competing for carries: Hillis, Harrison, Hardesty, Davis and Jennings. Not saying I want to totally end his success with the wildcat/cyclone. However, if we can actually throw a legitimate NFL forward pass this season - I don't think we need to overuse gadget plays and gimmicks.
- Tom F.

[Enigmatic Evil]

I liked that coaches quote from the Grossi thread where they said, if you tell Cribbs he can't do something, it motivates him that much more to prove you wrong. That's really what I'm looking for from him. He's got the athleticism and ability to be a solid option at WR. I don't think any of us should ignore that. Should he be a PRIME option? no. BUT, I think he can be another option for spreading the ball around. He's been working hard at the WR duties and I think that shows, will Cribbs prove to be more consistent in the regular season, time will tell. I would much rather Cribbs polish his skills and continue to improve his consistancies at WR than gamble with this wildcat experiment.

Which, by the way, have they ran this in any pre-season games yet? Has it even shown any potential?