No Crying for Cribbs

Josh Cribbs did not show up to yesterday's voluntary minicamp in Berea — because he feels he deserves more money — Wahh!

I thought Cribbs was supposed to be a leader on this team. I thought Cribbs was supposed to be a team-player. I thought Cribbs was someone who was above all the pettiness and greed you see from many professional athletes.

I guess I was wrong.

Here's a little history: After his rookie season, Phil Savage offered Cribbs a six-year, $12 million contract with $2 million guaranteed. So elated was he to be making more money than he'd ever had in his life, Cribbs signed the deal and spoke in gushing terms about paying the Browns back for the loyalty they showed.

Now, three years later, he's gotten greedy. He saw fellow special teams star Devon Hester of the Bears ink a five-year $40 million contract with $15 million guaranteed and he became jealous.

According to Cribbs' agent, if the Browns don't show they're willing to tear up Cribbs' current contract, which runs through 2012, the Browns' special teams star might take the bold step of demanding to be traded.

Umm, excuse me, Josh Cribbs. Where do you get off?

The Browns were terrible last season. The Browns are projected to be terrible again this season (Peter King ranks them No. 32). With so many areas that need to be addressed on this team, why should the Browns give more money to a special teams player who is STILL UNDER CONTRACT?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all undervaluing the importance of special teams in the NFL.

In real life, you get paid to do a job, and you're expected to do it well. if you don't, you get fired. If you keep doing a good job, you may get a promotion.

Maybe if Cribbs could read defenses he could have stepped up to play wide receiver more often instead of just as a utility receiver, thus earning a chance to play a bigger role on the team and warrant more money — call it a promotion.

What I'm saying is, Cribbs played well last year and that's what he's paid to do. I'm willing to bet if Cribbs played horribly last season he wouldn't feel guilty about collecting his paycheck and offer to give some of it back.

You signed a contract. Now, get to the minicamp and be a team player. Be a leader. Practice with your team. Try thinking of your team instead of your wallet. Rise above the pettiness and greed and make an effort to help this team be better than No. 32.