Josh Cribbs Making a Comeback?

Josh Cribbs enjoyed sensational years with the Cleveland Browns. The Kent State product was a magician returning kicks and a torpedo as a gunner on kick coverage. As a receiver Cribbs has only amassed 109 receptions with 41 coming in 2011 with the Browns. He also ran the ball 141 times, mostly as a wildcat quarterback, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

It was as a returner that Cribbs really made his name. He has 11 total return touchdowns, 8 coming on kickoffs and the other 3 coming on punt returns. Between 2005 and 2012 Cribbs always had over 800 yards in kick returns, including 7 seasons of over 1,000 yards.

The Browns released Cribbs before the start of the 2013 season. He was picked up by the Oakland Raiders but then later cut before the season started. During the season the New York Jets signed Cribbs but a Week 13 shoulder injury ended his season.

Cribbs hasn’t played since then but based on this Instagram post it looks like he is hoping for a comeback:

Cribbs with the pun-y use of return. Browns fans are aware that their return games could use a jolt, especially the punt return team which has struggled even holding on to the ball. GM Ray Farmer has been badgered by local media about possibly bringing Cribbs in but he has been dismissive.

Farmer stated that he wouldn’t want to release anyone currently on the roster to make room for Cribbs. That could change however now that the Browns are in first place in the AFC North. Farmer could decide to cut loose a young player he is hoping to develop in order to compete today. Fumbles on kick returns are huge blows to teams. The offense is getting the ball back and the defense has just come off the field for rest. Having to come back in is tough.

Cribbs reportedly had a workout with the Indianapolis Colts recently but no reports that he has been signed:

"Free-agent receiver Josh Cribbs has been available for anyone to sign, ever since free agency opened in March.  On Tuesday, he got a rare sniff from a team trying out players.Per a league source, Cribbs had a workout for the Colts.  Joining him was receiver Willie Snead and defensive tackle Ben Bass."

Snead is a player Browns fans had high hopes for this off-season but hasn’t been able to put it all together and make a team as well.

That Cribbs has been an option for all 32 teams all off-season and has not been signed could be a signal of his abilities. The NFL is more and more a young person’s league and Cribbs could be impacted by that as well.

Cribbs may not be the answer but the Browns must find someone. Once Josh Gordon, Jordan Cameron and Andrew Hawkins are all back, we would be in favor of Taylor Gabriel getting time back there. He was a returner in college.

What do you think about the possibility of Cribbs returning to the NFL and the Browns?