Browns coach Eric Mangini said Friday that he's not willing to trade Pro Bowl receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs, despite speculation Thursday night that Cribbs would be dealt before Tuesday's deadline.
"No interest in moving Josh Cribbs," Mangini said.
"I really enjoy Josh. I like him as a player, as a person, he's a fun guy to talk to. He's been a great guy to get to know and he's a really good person to have on the team."
Mangini acknowledged that the Browns were listening to calls on Cribbs. According to the NFL Network, the Dolphins, Colts, Chiefs, Raiders, Jaguars and 49ers have contacted the Browns.
"We take all the calls, we listen," Mangini said. "I don't know what reports have come in, I didn't look at any of that stuff. That's where we're at."
Asked if he just says, 'Sorry, good-bye' to those callers, Mangini said, "You always listen to everybody, you have to, you're always trying to improve the team."
A Pro Bowl special teamer, Cribbs is seeking a contract extension and would welcome a trade if no deal can be worked out. Mangini gave no timetable for negotiations, which are at a standstill.
Cribbs said Friday he has not demanded a trade.
"It is absolutely selfish to hold up a person as loyal as Joshua," his agent, J.R. Rickert, said via email Friday. "The Browns should either provide him with an extension that he is looking for or allow another team that is willing to compensate him fairly to acquire him.
"Their position of doing nothing is no longer fair nor appropriate."
It seems unlikely that the Browns will trade Cribbs unless they get an offer that blows them away.
Cribbs knows he may have a tough decision to make if the Browns refuse to renegotiate or trade him.
"I'm going to be stuck," he said Friday. "I don't know what I'm going to do right now. It will disappoint me tremendously if nothing gets done, and that's no secret. I'll be very disappointed. I play as hard as I can. I'll be very disappointed."
In November, 2006, Cribbs signed a six-year contract extension worth just under $6 million that runs through 2012.
The former Kent State quarterback joined the team as an undrafted free agent in April, 2005. His then-agent Andre Colona negotiated a deal with base salaries of $435,000 (2007), $520,000 (2008), $620,000 (2009), $635,000 (2010), $650,000 (2011) and $790,000 (2012). By mid-February the next year, Cribbs had replaced Colona with Rickert.
Stating that he wants to remain in Cleveland, Cribbs is trying not to let his unhappiness about his contract affect him on Sundays.
"Off the field it weighs on me," he said. "On the field, I'm Josh Cribbs. I've got to show up for my team, I've got to be out there for them. I'm a captain, I'm a leader. I've got to set an example by my play. It's what I do in the locker room and on the field amongst my players."
What's next, the Cav's entertain calls about trading Lebron? Give me a break!
The public has to know every little bit of what is going on about the team. I think that it is not appropriate, but Mangini is expected to reply to every insignificant remark that is made about his team. He has to do it, or the fans think that he is not concerned. I admire Mangini.
Sincerely
Robert M Kraus
Akron
Isn't Cribbs under contract? Doesn't a contract mean anything anymore? Why don't we see teams renegotiating contracts when the player has a bad year? Maybe they should change "NFL contracts" to "NFL suggestions unless I have a good year then I want more, if I have a bad year, then too bad for you"
He was an undrafted free agent, thus he has no true value, so is he worth a first round pick? Can his trade value help the team in the long-run? Cleveland pro sports have been linked to some of the "worst trades ever"! So in retrospect, do not trade Cribbs!
After last years QB injuries, do not trade Quinn.
Cribbs is a great team leader. We CAN'T trade him!
A note to the Browns: Trade Cribbs and myself and many other Kent State fans/alumni will begin following his new team, and permanently stop following you. If you think I'm bluffing, just ask the Dolans and their miserable ticket sales this year.
Look,the guy is a great specialty player and he is being wasted on such a sub-par team as the Browns.Can you imagine sending him to a winner! That team would instantly become a Super Bowl challenger. The Indians have made enough bonehead"d deals (2 Cy Young winners) and I would hope the expansion Brownies would not follow suit. As far as the $ is concerned he knowingly signed a contract with the advice and consent of his agent.He should quit complaing about $ when many Americans are out of work and losing their homes
This guy is good at what he does. SPECIAL TEAMS! He brings nothing more to a team then that. Look what happened to Hester when he wanted, and got, that huge deal. They put him on offense and has done nothing. Cribbs has been on offense here and there so far this year and has done nothing. Drops a few passes when it is thrown his way and occassionally has a good run. That is it though. Don't get me wrong I love what he brings on the kickoff and punt teams, but that is all he brings.
You signed a contract, so honor that contract. Simple as that Josh!!
cleveland management only support their bank accounts, the fans are fools, only a fool would continue to support a team owner, who would pick & pay braddy quinn & not even think of correcting this insane situation with THE ONLY STAR ON THE OFFENSE & 80% of the the only excitement of their game. as a true football fan let cribbs go or pay him trade QUINN & GIVE HIM QUINNS MONEY. then i will know you only think the fans are just stupid or just PLAIN FOOL. PAY THE MAN ,OR LET HIM GO.
Pay the man what he is worth. People re-negotiate contracts all the time. He is about the ONLY asset the Browns have. Realism is right, Josh starred at KSU and there is a huge following there (I was raised in Kent, but live in Colorado now, and I still follow them!) that I wouldn’t want to write off. The dumba$$es probably will, since I just bought a #16 jersey…..