DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Josh Cribbs Interview: "Mangini has already set rules."

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It's a great interview, and it seems that Mangini is already putting his influence in the locker room.

Wow...

Mangini is putting Cribbs at safety ever now and then.... Figured it would happen at some point... I'm cool with it.

I like listening to Josh talk he always seems excited...Kind of interesting that he may get alittle time at safety along with all his other things....Also no more music and horsing around in the lockerroom....Did sound like he was trying to butter up to the new coach though..

nordawg

Good interview. I would recommend looking at the audio links on that page and listening to the Kosar interview. Well worth the time.

Intersting comment from Mangini told by Cribbs about the locker room:

No more music, no more games,,, we are all football! Hmm..

And mangini has ideas to get Cribbs more involved in the offense and not just gadget plays.. and on Defense as well.. Interesting.

OK,, I'm interested to know lots more of that.

Thanks for posting!

Just listened to Bernie's interview.....When your 4-12 as a player your opinon means nothing...The only thing that matters is winning...winning breeds winning and some of these guys won't be able to handle it and will be gone....

And it wasn't just what Bernie said but how he said it....very good interview...

nordawg

I would have put Cribbs at safety 2 years ago...the guy could be a pro-bowl safety.

Kind of have to wonder- is this the work of Kokinis? Is this something he saw from scouting the opposition? Or maybe this is just talk to lower the contract demands of Jones.

I see Cribbs in "nickel" packages. That way he will still be effective as a return man as well as whatever "flash" packages they use him with.

I think its more of just putting the best players on the field...

Cribbs is a player...period.

He is most likely capable of doing a passable job at all the skilled positions.

I for one think it's about darn time this organization thinks outside the box and takes a few bold chances! I'd rather see them try this and fail than be afraid to do so and wonder what might have been!

I did hear that....I will say Bernie was fired up...

nordawg

I wonder if Cribbs will get in any trouble for divulging this much info to the media from the new regime?

I don't know about Pro Bowl ..... and I don't now how he'd be in pass coverage ....... but the guy is an outstanding tackler on the train wreck called special teams.

He'd probably be better there than at receiver.

I agree. Cribbs would be our Polamalu. Have him play center field in obvious passing situations the way the do with Troy. Plus he would be something to see as a run stopper. The guy brings it every play. Someone said a nickle back, I could live with that also.
My thing with Cribbs is he has excellent vision as a runner. Why he is not used more as a RB kills me. I'm not talking about any "wildcat" formations, but as a tailback in an I formation. He also could be quite effective on third downs.
People look for a face to represent this team, I see Cribbs as the guy I want. 100% dedicated and always performs to his best ability. He is a team first guy, and IMO the epitome of Cleveland Browns Football, the way it used to be.

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I wonder if Cribbs will get in any trouble for divulging this much info to the media from the new regime?

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I wondered that also but then I thought, hey, he didn't get real specific so probably not...

I hate to say it but its only a matter of time before Cribbs is seriously hurt and never plays again....I seriously think we need to take some of the workload off of Cribbs...he best serves this team as a special teams player....why risk that and wear his body out playing O, D, and ST?

His productivity will drop big time if we continue to push him the way we have...wanting him to do everything like he is superman. He is a real player...but you have to pick one position or risk the chance of injury from trying to do too much!

Cribbs is the Poster Boy of what kind of Character they are looking to get across the board on this team.

Can you imagine 53 Cribbs...No way you have a losing season with that attitude across the boarf.

Got to love Cribbs.

RB...Safety I can see one of them materializing for JC and he finds a home...WR??? Sorry I don't like that and think in retrospect that was a mistake.

JMHO

*L* ... did u guys actually hear what he said ...

Jeannie told him we will utilize U on O in MANY DIFFERENT WAYS ... and he said have u ever heard ofTROY BROWN .... he is not going to become a safety ... he will play back there in some situations ... but his main utilazation will be on O ...

they guy can be a game changing difference maker on O if UTILIZED PROPERLY .... Chud and RAC drew the plays up and talked about it .. hopefully Daboll and Jeannie ACTUALLY TAKE IT A SPER FURTHER and bring it into games ...

I'm sure that is what the general intention is Diam.

Now what happens if Cribbs happens to excel in the opportunities he gets at safety?

He could come out of the camps with a starting job...and it could just very well be at Safety...obviously he has to excel in the opportunities that he gets. But Cribbs has a very attractive game to put into a Safety position. If he shows Cover skills the coaches are going to go GAGA over him... I like it. He's got to make a home somewhere - all I know is that WR is not that home.

JMHO

His home is special teams

Listen to the Leon Washington and Brad Smith interviews.

The more I learn, the more I like Mangini.

Im just worried about over using him and then him getting hurt...then we have steptoe returning the kickoffs and punts!

Harrison can return kickoffs...

but not the way that Cribbs can....and does. he is the complete package as a special teams player....everyone just assumes that he will do good as a safety...we saw very little of him as a WR....now as a RB I would like to see what he could do there, but not enough to risk his special teams skills.

the 07 year part of the reason we did so good was our starting position and that came from Cribbs!

I'm talking about the here and now tabber ... not what happens after camp ... is him being a starting safety a possibility after camp this year?? sure .. its also possible that DA could be our starting QB ..

I am not saying he could not end up a starting safety ... but to expect him to learn enough about playing D and being a starting caliber safety in the NFL AFTER starting off learning the NEW O ... then his SPECIFIC PACKAGES ... well thats a little to much bro ...

if we were going to ATTEPMT to make him a safety with more than a bit role this year .. the PROCCESS WOULD HAVE TO START NOW ... and that would still be a big task just from a learning aspect ... its tough enough for guys like Wimbely (see the NFL D player of the year this year also) to learn how to go from a hand on the ground position to a standing position AFTER PLAYING D THERE ENTIRE LIFE ... now were going to teach Cribbs to be a STARTING SAFETY after not playing D at least since HS?? .. Ya .. OK ..

he may end up there .... I doubt it .. cause utilized on O he can be a GAME CHANGER ... but he certainly won't end up there IN WEEK 1 OF THIS YEAR .. other than in CERTAIN PACKAGES AND SITUATIONS ...

now throughout the course of the year if we suffer injuries like NE did the year Brown ended up starting at CB ... thats a different story .. and if he shows enough and thats a BIG ASS IF ... maybe heading into 2010 thats a potential possibility ..

but come on bro ... with NOTHING ON HIS PLATE BUT THAT its a tough raod to hoe .. with EVERYTHING else he has on his plate ... theres about as much a chance of that as DA being our starter this year ..

I'd like to see him at all 3 positions on O ... and if these guys have a clue .. we will ...

some RB ... some wildcat .... some WR ... he can do lots of things .. I'd like to see him get 5 - 10 touches a game from the various formations ... and if there working and not being stopped ... give him as many as 15 in certain games ...

and with him in the wildcat ... U best not let BQ just run free down the field .. hes a very good athelete ... gotta pimp my boy once in awhile .. *L* ...

j/c

I love hearing about the attention to detail and his teaching ability.

Too bad Grossi, Livingston and Shaw are too busy tearing this thing apart and not doing actual research on Mangini.

My biggest questions concern gameday decisions. I feel good knowing during the week and in training camp we're going to be very well prepared.

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Too bad Grossi, Livingston and Shaw are too busy tearing this thing apart and not doing actual research on Mangini.

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Do you have any idea how much it kills me to defend Browns Beat Reporters?

But in truth, it appears that they are being given virtually NOTHING to write about. Of course, that doesn't have to mean that they should take the low road all the time, but basically, Mangini, Lerner, Koks and Keenan ..nobody is talking so they got nothing tell us.

If I were them, it would be driving me nuts...

j/k

It doesn't sound like Mangini is impressed with our present group of safeties, does it?

I do believe it says something about the athletic ability of Cribbs.

Maybe they see Cribbs as a talent that is being underused as spot duty on offense and special teams. Maybe Mangini feels Cribbs talents are being wasted on offense and on special teams?

Here is a stat I was surprised to see...in 2008, Cribbs had only 2 receptions for the entire season. He also had 27 running attempts last season. Those numbers could be classified as under used, IMO.

Also, even if Cribbs did become a part time safety, he could still be used on offense and special teams. As he learned the safety position, his time on the field could increase accordingly. If it turns out Cribbs does not do very well as a safety, nothing is lost but perhaps some practice time on offense.

If by chance, Cribbs shows he can play safety full time, in a year or two, he could still return the ball on special teams.

I have said before, the defense of the Browns needs some serious upgrades in the "speed" dept. Cribbs does fill that need, whereever he plays.

Discipline, and utilizing the talent we have. I like hearing that. Also like what I heard from Bernie. "Losing is not an option."

What? What's that little Brownie? You say Jerome Harrison sees the field more than three times a game? Oh, I like it.

i can't wait to see #16 lay someone out on defense next season.

Ballpeen,

Never thought of Cribbs at safety, but after hearing the interview, and thinking about what a demon he is on special teams I really like the thought of it. He has the speed to cover the receivers, and has the killer mentality to lay a hit on anyone coming his way!

Wow, they're are thinking out of the box already ... I like it

j/k

Wasn't Brian Russell a QB before becoming a S in the NFL?

QB to S seems like an easier switch than DE to OLB?

I think he moved to safety during his Junior year, and stayed there for the duration.