I know we are all biased, and I love Josh Cribbs. So, I was wondering do we think he is a Hall of Famer?
He has 8 kick return TDs, which is tied for best all-time. He is 3rd all-time in kick return yards.
Now, punt returns he is not as high, but if I remember correctly, he started returning punts later in his career. He is 27th in punt return yards, and tied for 44th with 3 punt return TDs.
You better look at some of those players from the 1980-1985+ era Browns teams before you put Cribbs in ahead of them.
There were no automatic first down penalties, nor 40 yard spot of foul penalties in that era, Neither largely roughing the QB Horse Collar tackles,
and the only common pass interference, surprisingly now seemingly legal, was to defend "over the back".
Well both Cribbs and Eric Metcalf, (Browns 1992-later ish), I'd put head to head as as good or better at returning kicks than what's his name that had all they hype fromt the Bears for a couple years around 2004.
Sometimes I don't like discussions like this one because in order to be honest, we have to list negative things. Dude was a great player for us and he is one of my all-time favorite Browns. He just won't make the HOF.
You have to list out what his resume for Canton is.
He can ONLY go in as a Kick Returner, and there is argument to be made for that, but I just don't think that's enough to get in simply because you have to ask yourself if the strength of his resume as a KR is greater than that of someone like Clay Matthews, and I simply don't think it is. In order for Cribbs to get in, someone else is not getting in that year, and unless they have started reserving one slot each year for Special Teamers, I just don't see them doing it.
I absolutely loved him as a Browns player, and I think he CAN get in the Ring of Honor, but Canton is going to be a hard sell. A *much* tougher sell than Clay Matthews has been.
I’ve thought maybe they should have a separate wing for specialists, coaches, executives, etc. But, then it gets watered down too. So there’s no easy answer
If they dedicate a category to the as a KR, then one of my all-time faves get in. Barring that, or some specialist category, I can't imagine him qualifying. For the franchise, worthy and deserving IMO. Electric! Can argue as a bar-setter leading the NFL that he could go in. But I would feel Clay M. has a better claim if I am voting. FWIW
As a returner, I think he's one of the best ever, so he'd get in if there were a special category. However, there isn't, so he ain't getting in, but he should be in the Browns "ring of honor".
I remember his return at Heinz field ... one of the most incredible plays I can recall. IIRC, we had been ahead all day and they finally got the lead ... and then he took it right back.
Cribbs was a special player. Many just mention his returns, but he was a very good gunner too. He was a special player. His wildcat plays were pretty special too.
I would say, he is not your typical guy in the hall, but his story is pretty inspiring, and he caused a lot of excitement when in the game.
I'm not sure he should be in, but would love to see it just for the person he is. Him being mentioned should be enough for him, I don't think he would mind.
However I'm good with him in the ring of honor. He gave us his heart and soul and did some really special things in the return game.
And to echo Stueben's post, I had forgotten how great of a gunner he was. He really layed his body on the line for us. He really gave us everything he had.
Talent wise, yes, easily. If he were on a good team it wouldn't even be a question. A few of those big KRs in a playoff game and he'd be first ballot HOFer. Sadly they were all in junk games that didn't matter so he won't make it.
