Originally published on SBReport.net on May 15, 2013
Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that return man and wide receiver Josh Cribbs has chosen to sign with the Oakland Raiders, after also visiting three other teams. As previously stated on Silver & Black Report, the former Cleveland Brown has become one of the best kick and punt returners in the league, something the Raiders missed desperately last season with the absence of Jacoby Ford. Cribbs is a three-time Pro Bowler and is tied for the league record for most kickoff returns for touchdowns in league history with eight. Though Cribbs did not return one for a touchdown last season, Cribbs had six 40+ yard returns and 65 20+ returns over the last two years. He averaged 27.4 yards per return last season, while the Raiders averaged just 22.3 yards. Cribbs also has a big impact on punt returns where he averaged 12.0 yards per return whereas the Raiders averaged less than half of that, at 5.1 yards per return. The soon-to-be 30-year-old receiver had less of an impact as a receiver for the Browns last year but gives the Raiders valuable experience in a young locker room. It gives Matt Flynn (or whoever the starting quarterback may be for that matter) another weapon that is dangers in open space. Another aspect that should be beneficial towards the Raiders is that Ford will not have to take as many hits which may limit his injuries. Cribbs was believed to be signing with the Arizona Cardinals in the beginning of free agency but his surgery-repaired knee didn't check out. It appears his knee checked out enough last week for Reggie McKenzie to give him an offer on his way out the door to visit other teams.
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