Underdogs Like Cribbs

[Flugel]

I always like it when an excellent football player is told there's no place for him in the pro game like Josh Cribbs. First, he was told an African American QB that mastered the direct snap and run at Kent State isn't draft worthy. Cool, we got him for the price of a Walmart Cola and bag of pretzels.

THEN, it was "okay, he can return kickoffs and cover punts/kickoffs extremely well but nothign else seems transferrable." Next thing I know, Northcutt gets hurt and Cribbs has to replace him returnign punts for the first time. Well, that first time was a disaster and I was reminded Northcutt wasn't replacable at least in the punt returns dept.

The GOOD NEWS there is STs Coach Dasher and Cribbs refused to let critics define him so they worked at it. Next thing we know, Cribbs became an upgrade to Northcutt at returning punts thanks to all the critics saying it wasn't possible.Still, fans just wanted say ONLY Homers want a guy like Cribbs around because he doesn't do alot for our offense. Well, then came the wildcat where he was back to doign exactly what he did all 4 years at Kent State with catch the snap and run. Somew ondered why that was more pollished than him playing WR and all I can say is that's where most of his training has been all 4 years in college.

Anyway, we still had fans that hated hearing anyone appreciate Cribbs; so now it became he's holding back all our Jerry Rices on the depth chart at WR. Okay, Greg Little has the most reps of any WR in the offense - who has the most TD receptions today? That doesn't mean we don't need a legitimate #1 WR here asap, it just means Cribbs wears alot of hats eptomizing a great FOOTBALL PLAYER. The people that watch the most film are his NFL peers/opponents that voted him into the rankings of the top 100 football players in this league. It would be nice to see a Blackman representing our #1 WR with whoever emerges at #2 and #3. I dare say Cribbs should be a solid #3 and keep his other roles. You put a legit #1 in the lineup and #2 and #3 should get much better numbers merely facing lesser corners with less traffic underneathe in the box. The #1 takes care of removing Safeties from the box.

Anyway, I once wanted us to draft Mark Herzlich late because I liked his upside post cancer. Unfortunately, he wasn't drafted by anyone and I never read/heard what NFL team gave him a shot. Therefore, I was thrilled to see the NFL channel announcing that NY Giants STs standout Mark Herzlich will be starting at LBer this weekend. I know it's unrelated to us; but cancer is not for those of us that lost family and friends to the disease. Like Cribbs, critics told him the deck was stacked against him. This is a good kid with a great story if anyone saw it on the NFL channel pre-draft.

[Brown Warrior]

You're a little provocateur Thomas! Fight, fight, fight!

I like that you love Cribbs.

[Inspecta]

I was loving Cribbs on that TD catch today....and when he brought it out to the 35 for us....

[Brown Warrior]

Nice catch on the TD pass. He's a decent WR now. Not a star, but he has some value. If we get a top of the roster guy in the draft, I would guess that Little, Norwood, Cribbs, and Massoquoi stick.

New guy needs to be fast, though. I'm still liking Kendall Wright a lot after Saturday.

[Thaid_Up]

Originally Posted by Flugel

I always like it when an excellent football player is told there's no place for him in the pro game like Josh Cribbs. First, he was told an African American QB that mastered the direct snap and run at Kent State isn't draft worthy. Cool, we got him for the price of a Walmart Cola and bag of pretzels.

THEN, it was "okay, he can return kickoffs and cover punts/kickoffs extremely well but nothign else seems transferrable." Next thing I know, Northcutt gets hurt and Cribbs has to replace him returnign punts for the first time. Well, that first time was a disaster and I was reminded Northcutt wasn't replacable at least in the punt returns dept.

The GOOD NEWS there is STs Coach Dasher and Cribbs refused to let critics define him so they worked at it. Next thing we know, Cribbs became an upgrade to Northcutt at returning punts thanks to all the critics saying it wasn't possible.Still, fans just wanted say ONLY Homers want a guy like Cribbs around because he doesn't do alot for our offense. Well, then came the wildcat where he was back to doign exactly what he did all 4 years at Kent State with catch the snap and run. Somew ondered why that was more pollished than him playing WR and all I can say is that's where most of his training has been all 4 years in college.

Anyway, we still had fans that hated hearing anyone appreciate Cribbs; so now it became he's holding back all our Jerry Rices on the depth chart at WR. Okay, Greg Little has the most reps of any WR in the offense - who has the most TD receptions today? That doesn't mean we don't need a legitimate #1 WR here asap, it just means Cribbs wears alot of hats eptomizing a great FOOTBALL PLAYER. The people that watch the most film are his NFL peers/opponents that voted him into the rankings of the top 100 football players in this league. It would be nice to see a Blackman representing our #1 WR with whoever emerges at #2 and #3. I dare say Cribbs should be a solid #3 and keep his other roles. You put a legit #1 in the lineup and #2 and #3 should get much better numbers merely facing lesser corners with less traffic underneathe in the box. The #1 takes care of removing Safeties from the box.

Anyway, I once wanted us to draft Mark Herzlich late because I liked his upside post cancer. Unfortunately, he wasn't drafted by anyone and I never read/heard what NFL team gave him a shot. Therefore, I was thrilled to see the NFL channel announcing that NY Giants STs standout Mark Herzlich will be starting at LBer this weekend. I know it's unrelated to us; but cancer is not for those of us that lost family and friends to the disease. Like Cribbs, critics told him the deck was stacked against him. This is a good kid with a great story if anyone saw it on the NFL channel pre-draft.

Haven't seen the game yet. Will catch the rewind in the a.m. but really don't need to see it to know Cribbs did his job today. Every game every snap he's giving it all and we've seen it time and time again. Easily the team MVP this year and if we wind up with a legit #1 WR next year odds are he'll be MVP next year as well. Like Flugs exceptionally states Cribbs is a complete FOOTBALL PLAYER. And those who continually try to lowball him truly have no grasp.

[Brown Warrior]

Cribbs isn't the MVP this year. He had 20 yards receiving today and didn't do anything special on specials. Nice play on the TD.

DQJ is the obvious MVP this year. It's not really close. You really can't choose your MVP from an offense like ours.

[Sez.EJ]

I like Cribbs. Just too bad it took 7 years before he started to figure out the WR spot. How many years are left? He's not a young kid anymore. I think his returning days may be numbered as that is a young mans job..but he may now be able to stick as one of the WR's for a few seasons. He seems to finally be getting it. Perhaps our WR coach Mike Williams is actually earning his paycheck this year. Little also has come on after sitting out a year. Norwood is getting on the field here and there too.

Too many games left on the schedule to start picking MVP's.

[Greythan]

DQJ is the obvious MVP this year.

Not even close to obvious when he's the MLB in a 4-3 that's rated 30th against the rush giving up over 140 yards per.

Can't have it both ways Shep: The MLB is the same as the QB when it comes to rush defense. If your stats aren't good then you can't have a GREAT MLB. Urlacher, Lewis, and Willis are on teams rated 12th, 3rd, and 1st respectively agains the run. THOSE are superlative MLB's.

That said, I like DQJ, I just think he's limited. If he can avoid contact with an OL then his speed/pursuit instincts get him tackles. However, if an OL lays a hand on him then he's either a) out of the play or b) making a tackle 10+ yards downfield.

[hiwaygal]

Originally Posted by Sez.EJ

Just too bad it took 7 years before he started to figure out the WR spot.

Huh? I thought he'd only been playing as a WR for about 3 years, maybe 4. Prior to that wasn't he ST/KR/PR only?

Hell, I think we could move him to CB or S!!!


edit: yeah, he was named a WR for the first time in his NFL career in the 2009 season...unless my math is screwed up, that's not quite 7 years is it?

[Legacy Fan]

The nature of our O is limiting Cribbs in terms of his quantity of looks/opportunities, but anybody who looks at his TD catch today and doesn't immediately see elite WR (or just an elite play if you're a stingy bastard), you're blind. And you won't be satisfied with any other receiver in the NFL.

As Stafford was giving away TD passes like a hooker in Baltimore gives away the clap, how many did Megatron come down with? (Rhymes with "hero")

[Greythan]

If you aren't a wild ass fan of Cribbs then (yup, I'm going there) I question your fanhood.

I'll stand behind that statement all day and twice on Sunday. Guys like Cribbs are why we cheer for football teams. Otherwise, just hook your wagon to the prior year's Super Bowl champ every September. Or, play fantasy football and cheer for your "team".

Yippee!

[Sez.EJ]

Originally Posted by hiwaygal

Huh? I thought he'd only been playing as a WR for about 3 years, maybe 4. Prior to that wasn't he ST/KR/PR only?

Hell, I think we could move him to CB or S!!!


edit: yeah, he was named a WR for the first time in his NFL career in the 2009 season...unless my math is screwed up, that's not quite 7 years is it?

I'm just talking about years in the NFL.. Careers are short and this is his 7th year..he's had a lot of injuries and a lot of pounding on his body.