Thursday, February 11, 2010

Cleveland Browns and Josh Cribbs Close to New Deal



In a complete 180, it looks like a deal will in fact get done between Josh Cribbs and the Browns. The two sides have not had any significant talks until just a few weeks ago, and it appears as though there's great faith that the talks will eventually lead to a new deal.

"We're exchanging numbers and there's no telling what the timetable will be," Cribbs' agent J.R. Rickert to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "But when we can bridge all of the existing gaps, we'll have this done.''

Rickert and Cribbs seemed very pessimistic before Holmgren and Heckert began running the show, but since then Rickert has had nothing but good things to say about the duo.

The deal is expected to get done within the next two weeks. Both sides would like an agreement before the combine so that the front office can focus all their attention to the incoming rookies.

The numbers of the deal are incredibly difficult to guess as a set number for a utility player and kick returner such as Cribbs has not been established. However, I would expect the numbers to be the combination of what a kick returner, fourth receiver, and backup running back would get.

So, somewhere around $3-4 million per season seems reasonable, but it will probably be closer to $3 million.

Heckert and Holmgren have a reputation of getting things done when they want them done, so I'd be very surprised if Cribbs doesn't have a new long-term deal in the next two weeks.




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