The Waiting for Next Year guys take a look at Phil Dawson's holdout. They have a really good line in the item:

Judging by the lack of response to Dawson being MIA, I assume that fans feel that Josh Cribbs means a lot more to this team. But does he? Dawson converted 30 of his 36 attempts last season; he was 5-for-6 between the 40-49-yard range.

The question on who is more important between Cribbs and Dawson is an excellent one. I'm leaning toward saying Dawson is more important. Both are great special teams players, but someone like Cribbs might be more replaceable.

This is a bit scary. ESPN.com blogger James Walker reports that Browns special teams ace and budding wide receiver Joshua Cribbs wants to reconstruct his contract. Prior to last season, Cribbs signed a six-year, $6 million contract.

However, this came before Cribbs became arguably the most exciting special teams player in the league and Bears return specialist Devin Hester received a four-year extension worth up $40 million with $15 million guaranteed.

So what are the Browns to do? In June, general manager Phil Savage said the team was pretty much at its budget when tight end Kellen Winslow wanted more money.

It is my (likely stupid) opinion that contracts should be year-to-year performance based (this would probably come with some kind of minimum set by the league).

So, was Cribbs' performance last season worth more than the $997,000 he is scheduled to make this year? Probably.

Is Cribbs worth the possible $5.5 million Hester is expected to receive this year? Absolutely not.

Cribbs' value is probably somewhere in between. Hopefully he, his agent and the Browns front office realize as much.

Notes…
I don't know why this was in the fantasy sports section, but Matt Williamson of ESPN.com ranks the Browns' offensive line as tops in the NFL. This is absolutely crazy to me, given past o-line rankings. That's what having Joe "future president" Thomas and Eric Steinbach on the left side can do for you.

More scrutiny and praise dished about the team's secondary.

Coming Thursday morning will be a preview of the first preseason game against the Jets. Probably no post tomorrow, unless something major comes up or I get bored. Previous circumstances mean I won't be watching the game live Thursday night, so no live blogging. I'll be at the Akron Art Museum seeing my favorite live band, Houseguest. It will be fun (free) times. Nothing from Luke, either. He's in Las Vegas. Upon his return to Ohio, he and I plan on attending training camp Saturday. Come out. Say hello. I'm like 9-foot-12, so I'm not hard to spot.