Accord to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the 49ers are one of five teams interested in free agent return man Josh Cribbs.
Cribbs, who will be 30 years old next season, was a Pro Bowl return man in 2007 and 2009, when he averaged 30.7 and 27.5 yards per kick return, respectively. Last season, he averaged 27.4 yards per kick return.
Cribbs could be a replacement for the 49ers’ free agent returner, Ted Ginn Jr. But the 49ers have other good returners on their roster already. Last season, LaMichael James averaged 29.8 yards per kick return, and Kyle Williams averaged 27.2 yards per kick return. Williams also averaged 13 yards per punt return, while Cribbs averaged 12 yards per punt return.
Do you think the 49ers should sign Cribbs? Why or why not?
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Short answer: Yes. He can help in returns and as a slot guy and he runs well after the catch. Probably a respectable shorter-term deal but not a budget buster. He represents a ‘piece’ that could fit on the 53. He’s not the only fish in the sea, he’s not a ‘must have’, but it could work.
No!
Cribbs is on the downside of his career. He may only be approaching 30, but it’s a ‘hard’ 30 because of all the punishment he’s endured as Cleveland’ sole play-maker.
What happened to the P.Harvin interest? I would feel much better in pursuing him rather than Cribbs.
p. harvin want top money cant afford him
p. harvin want top money cant afford him
Just because he wants a Megatron-like contract doesn’t mean he wants top money. He just wants the Vikings strapped for cash as well as any other team he will play for in the future.
Cribbs is still a good return man but not as dominant as he once was. As I mentioned in the other thread he has also displayed a tendency to fumble. I’d stick with the guys they have on the roster and/ or draft a guy.
I agree with you , they don’t need him , Williams will be back,
I think he will be ready.
+1
Yes – His main value is as a PR/KR. He couldn’t be much worse than Ginn as a WR either.
JP
I just feel that comparing him as a little better then Ginn is not the kind of player that could significantly help us.
Ginn only made a handful of plays for us last season. What we need is a WR who could provide a threat for us opposite Crabtree every time he lines up.
Either Harvin or Wallace could be those type of players, but their asking price is keeping them off of the 49ers payroll radar.
A college player like T.Austin or C.Patterson may also fit the bill, but we would need to package some of our picks to put us in position (which may happen during the draft).
We could stand pat with our draft picks/positions and still have a decent shot at Justin Hunter (at 34) or Da’Rick Rodgers (who I really like in rd. 3).
With Cribbs like Ginn you have a designated return guy, the other two James and Williams are both important players at their respective positions. If you lose Williams or James on a return you’ve also lost a WR or a RB. Cribbs would also probably be more useful in the offense if they needed him to be versus Ginn who’s only value is truly as a returner.
They both made nearly the same money with Cribbs making 200k more then Ginn last year so it would be a pretty close swap salary wise and I think it would be an upgrade at the position.
I’d rather have a designated guy for returns and fall back on Williams and James if we lose the return man.
+1
Plus he has experience operating in an option offense when Mangini was there with the wild cat right? Mr. Seely should seal the deal.
He was a QB in college at Bowling Green.
Are you guys concerned at all about his fumblitis?
It’s certainly a red flag on the guy. He lost 3 of his 6 last season and three years ago he 7 fumbles so I agree it’s scary.
Do the fumbles come on returns or when he’s asked to play on offense?
The fumbles he lost last season were in the return game. He got some serious abuse from the Browns fans after his fumble in the game against the Broncos, leading to a Broncos TD. Earlier in the season his fumble on a kick-off contributed to an early 17-3 lead against the Giants being squandered. Giving up momentum shifts like that are troubling.
I do not want a known fumbler on this team. What about Hester?
I wouldn’t have thought LMJ averaged so much. I swear the times I saw him retuning, he’d grab it in the endzone and return it to the 15 and get tackled, prompting my screams.
Even though his little strides don’t seem to generate much yardage, 29.9 is decent so I only see the FO going after him at a very niner friendly deal and dangle the “How would you like to play in a Super Bowl” carrot.
“him” being Cribbs.
Waste of a roster spot……..If he was so effective Browns would have extended.
Also don’t we already have a return specialist that does squat as a WR. We need that role filled by James, Kyle W. or some multi purpose DB in the draft… or dare I say AJJ. Not sure if he has the skillset but he better start contributing somehow. We need more productivity from the WRs.
I would love to see Cribbs in red and gold! He will improve our special team. GO NINERS
How is he going to improve our ST if he fumbles that much, I say no way, let some one else take that gamble.
Also i could see Cribbs in the backfield with CK out of pistol on some plays as well! They also could use him as a wideout in WR screen plays!
On the surface this makes sense, assuming he is affordable. They need a reliable, productive punt returner. Williams improved, but I wish he would go away — I’ll never forget the NFC Giants game. As far as wide receiver goes, although Cribbs lacks Ginn’s speed, he’s been more productive, which I suppose tells you something about his route running, plus he has shown elusive moves useful in moving the chains and has some size for downfield blocking. Here’s a post I found on him:
“Cribbs had his best season as a receiver last season, setting career highs in receptions and yards. He nearly doubled his previous bests, catching 41 passes for 518 yards. He also scored four touchdowns, which was a career high. Cribbs started seven games and had four games with 50 or more yards. He wasn’t prolific as a receiver but made plays and was pretty consistent for the Browns. Cribbs should continue to play a role offensively but isn’t likely to remain starting. He is best suited for the slot or spot duty. Cribbs is a playmaker. He has great speed and moves in the open field. Cribbs will get work as a receiver, running back and return man for the Browns. He might be the best kickoff return man in the game.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Cribbs might have a hard time matching or besting last season. He could get 30 or so catches for 400 yards. We don’t see him having quite as big of a year but he could be worth a spot start or two in a pinch if you need help at some point during the season.”
Another guy who would help special teams (as well as put pressure on the pocket and bat down passes): Margus Hunt. How many field goals might he block over a career?
I’ll stop talking about this guy once three of you tell me to shut up about him.
nope. go for it, hor-hay.
The guy has potential and we can gamble on him. The only thing is, do we gamble with our first 2 picks or third??? I have a bad feeling about missing on WR AJJ last year. We can’t miss again. If we missed at all. The jury is still out. BUT if he is just average like a 3-5 catch guy and no real deep threat then we blew it. We could of traded back for a 3 catch guy…
Yeah, I reckon they should sign Usain Bolt as well. With his height and speed he’d be a gun WR.
well played
Waste of money.
should niners go after Henderson from NO? I think he is unrestricted.
Sure is quiet on the Devin Hester front.
Grant – Yes, upgrade over Ginn…..Who the hell can impress playing in Cleveland? ……MTV Cribbs!
With all of these draft pics, none of these free agents thrill me, except one and one only, if he is available and that is Anquan Boldin. We can find a saftey, a cornerback, running back or a receiver in the draft that can return punts too.
Honey Badger don’t care, he’ll return them punts….
Honey Badger sounds like a dumb nickname to have if you ask me
Honey Badger don’t care.
I like the idea of drafting Tyrann Mathieu to handle the punt returns mainly because he will be considerably cheaper than Cribbs.
Grant – UCLA Pac-12 Champs with 3 freshman starting! The champagne is flowin over here!
Grant, Datone Jones would look good in red & gold! He looks even better in person. I saw him play 3 times, once from sidelines and he’s a beast. Hofer would love this guy! The stud DE we need!!
Big day for Bruins!
Datone Jones would be a great pick but I think he’ll be gone by No.20, and if the Niners are going to trade up, I think they should do it for Milliner or Rhodes.
I agree with you on Rhodes 1000%.
Thank you. No one else is feeling me on that one. Bruins think alike.
Cribbs is a fumbler. Besides Ginn is better. Don’t sign him.
xavier rhodes!