Cleveland Browns: The 21 best pass-catchers since 1999
By Chad Porto
3. Josh Cribbs
The grand champion in total yards is Josh Cribbs. Not the receiver that others are on this list, but screw it, I’m counting him this high even though most of his work came as a special teams player. He caught balls, he gained yards, who cares if he gained more yards off of the kickoffs?
In total, Cribbs had 14,083 combined yards across receptions, rushing and returns. He also had 20 combined touchdowns and was a three-time Pro Bowler in 2007, 2009 and 2012. Cribbs set all sorts of records and alongside Devin Hester redefined how valuable great returners were to the game.
While Cribbs isn’t seen as an all-time great, he very well should be. As an undrafted quarterback out Kent State, the Browns made sure he stayed in state and became an icon with the Browns. The love affair that the fans have with Cribbs is undeniable. He’s often talked about in rarified air, and most people don’t have a bad word to say about him.
After leaving the Browns, he played two more seasons in the NFL before retiring and opening up a small business in the greater-Cleveland area. He and his wife also now host a show called Cribbs in the CLE on the CBS affiliate WOIO Channel 19.