Joshua Cribbs is among the most versatile players in the NFL. He showed that prowess again in Thursday night’s 13-6 win over the Steelers on NFL Network, accounting for 200 total yards — 87 rushing, 9 receiving and 104 on returns.

Cribbs is also likely one of the league’s most underpaid players. His agent worked with the Browns throughout the offseason to re-work the final four years of his six-year, $6.7 million contract, but a new deal never got done.

It didn’t stop Cribbs from continuing his “Mr. Everything” role for the 2-11 Browns this season as a receiver, punt returner, kick returner and quarterback in the team’s version of the Wildcat formation. During a postgame interview on NFL GameDay, Cribbs was asked if he feels like he deserves to get paid.

“Bumping into so many fans each and every day, Cleveland is such a blue collar city,” Cribbs said. “The last thing this city wants is a player talking about money and running around and we haven’t won any games. I mean, you have to do it on the field first, and show them what you can do first. I know I’ve been doing it pretty good, but we have to win games and it will come.

“Being a leader on the football team, I didn’t want to bring those distractions to our football team inside the locker room, off the field. I didn’t want to be a problem. What I wanted to do was let my play speak for itself, and hopefully I did enough of that tonight.”

An outstanding answer. And he did.

“I’m trying to be a diplomat here,” Cribbs said. “I’m trying to be as upstanding as I can. I have loyalty to my team, loyalty to the Cleveland Browns, the city. I have a lot of loyalty for these guys out here. I love them.”

– Frank Tadych

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