Josh Cribbs
Talks between Josh Cribbs and the Cleveland Browns may not be dead yet after all. In fact, Cribbs’ agent is now claiming that they have had “very positive” talks with the team and are optimistic that something can be worked out.
“We’ve talked to [Browns President] Mike Holmgren and [General Manager] Tom Heckert and we have an understanding that we’re going to work together on this,” Cribbs’ agent J.R. Rickert told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “We have a much clearer indication that something can be worked out and that it’s not just lip service.”
That’s a big relief to many Browns fans who were in a uproar after the team supposedly offered Cribbs a take-it-or-leave-it contract for scant more dollars than he is earning currently.
The Pro Bowl bound return man said that he would rather sit out the 2010 season than accept that insulting offer. He also stated that he would seek a trade by March 4 and cleaned out his locker at the Browns training facility.
After stirring up a fuss in the national media, it seems as though Cribbs and his agents have Holmgren and company singing a different tune.
“(They) made it clear to us that they had not made a take-it-or-leave-it proposition or a final offer,” Rickert said. “The tone and tenor were very positive and we feel this is something we’re going to sit down and work on. Josh feels very good about it.”
The Browns initial contract offer was for $1.4 million per year, which is less than half of what low-end contract of a player of Cribbs’ caliber is worth. Typically players in his position with his skill level earn between $3 million and $6 million annually.
“We as an organization will not negotiate in the press, but I love Josh Cribbs and I’m hopeful things work out and everyone is happy at the end of the day,” Mike Holmgren said. “We want him to be here and we want him to be successful because he is a good player for us.”
Maybe Holmgren and company spotted enough people wearing “Pay Cribbs” t-shirts in the Cleveland area. Indeed, Fresh Brewed Tees have capitalized on the Cribbs contract debacle.
If you haven’t seen them yet, they are definitely worth checking out.
They also feature a classy “Cleveland – At Least We’re Not Detroit” t-shirt.