James Walker of ESPN writes about the most indispensable players in the AFC North. He writes that the NFL is filled with many replaceable players, but there are a few players who are difficult to replace. His list includes safety Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers, linebacker Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens, running back Cedric Benson of the Cincinnati...
Josh CribbsJames Walker of ESPN writes about the most indispensable players in the AFC North. He writes that the NFL is filled with many replaceable players, but there are a few players who are difficult to replace.
His list includes safety Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers, linebacker Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens, running back Cedric Benson of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Josh Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns.
Where would the Browns be without Cribbs?
For starters, you probably can erase two or three wins from last year's 5-11 record. Cribbs also might have saved Browns head coach Eric Mangini's job.
Cribbs was one of the few bright spots for Cleveland last season. He made the Pro Bowl as a kick returner, but his ability to run the Wildcat also added a new wrinkle to the Browns' struggling offense, which finished last in the NFL in 2009.
Linebackers
Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour jumps on the bandwagon that is filled with former Cleveland Browns linebacker Kamerion Wimbley supporters.
Last week, Wimbley recorded four sacks in the first half of the Oakland Raiders victory over the Chicago Bears.
Making Wimbley's weekend more memorable is that the Browns have recorded just one sack through two preseason games, that from outside linebacker Marcus Benard against the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 14. The Browns sent league tongues wagging by blitzing excessively against the Packers but were repeatedly burned by quarterback Aaron Rodgers' quick release and three-step drops. The Browns' game plan was a shocking departure from most teams' vanilla preseason schemes.
Colt McCoy
Transition from college football to the NFL has not been a cake walk for quarterback Colt McCoy, writes reporter Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald.
There has been no miraculous transition from college football to the NFL for the Browns' third-round draft choice. Far from it. When he throws a football in practice or a preseason game, the observer is reminded of two things: Eighty-four players were drafted ahead of McCoy and Browns president Mike Holmgren said from the beginning McCoy will not play in 2010 barring injuries to Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace.
To say the least, things have not been so good for McCoy, the Browns third-round pick. But McCoy is not discouraged.
"I have tremendous guys around me and great coaches," McCoy said. "I try to work as hard as I can and learn as much as I can. I study a lot of film and try to make sure I'm not losing any part of playing quarterback by not getting as many reps as I want or by not getting as many reps as some people in other places are getting."
Cribbs is a real catch
Josh Cribbs is a throw back player because he can (and will) play so many positions like tailback, quarterback, third-down back and even safety.
Medina-Gazette reporter Scott Petrak writes how Cribbs has emerged as a special teams standout and fan favorite.
“He’s developing as a wide receiver, which I really like and I felt strongly would happen,” Mangini said. “I feel very good about that, I feel like he can make some plays out there.”