The Browns open training camp with something they haven't had in awhile: hope. After a surprising 10-win season in 2007, Cleveland looks to build on their success in '08. Naturally, a big part of that will fall to quarterback Derek Anderson, and with Joe Jurevicius out indefinitely, he'll need some help. One potential source of instant offense is returner Josh Cribbs. The Browns have plans to get Cribbs more involved in the offense, which probably explains why there was such an emphasis on quick passes during the first few practices -- get him the ball early, and let him do his thing. But now his progress takes on added importance because one of the team's big free-agent acquisitions, wideout Donte' Stallworth, starts camp on the sidelines nursing a pulled hamstring.
He's only expected to miss a couple days, which is good news, but it just reinforces the team's need for depth at the position. Interestingly, the Browns have yet to make a move for recently released Chargers wideout Eric Parker, a player thought to be high on their free-agent wish list following the Jurevicius news.
In the meantime, guys like Travis Wilson, Syndric Steptoe, Steve Sanders and Kevin Kasper will all get extra reps.
As for Cribbs, his future could lie on the defensive side of the ball. Well, there'll have to be a run on injuries, but Romeo Crennel didn't offer a kindly "hell no" when the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi floated the idea that Cribbs could pull a "Troy Brown" if needed.
I asked Romeo Crennel about the possibility of Cribbs ever being used as an emergency cornerback, a la Troy Smith of New England. I fully expected him to say it would never happen. But Crennel admitted it was a consideration "if necessary" because of his athletic ability. He said he would not give Cribbs reps on defense, however, unless such an emergency situation presented itself.I like the idea of Cribbs in the secondary over, say, Ty Law. He's cheaper, more athletic, and less likely to take a mid-play Twinkie break. In a perfect world, it would never come to that, but the Browns have had bad luck with keeping guys healthy, so it's always good to have contingency plans.
