Cribbs, Holmgren confirm restructured deal
Published: March 5th, 2010 | Tags: Cleveland Browns, Jason La Canfora, Joshua Cribbs, Mike Holmgren, Scott Fujita
The Browns held a news conference Friday to formally announce the new contract for WR/KR Joshua Cribbs.
Team president Mike Holmgren didn’t talk specifics of the agreement, but the Browns restructured the final three years of Cribbs’ current contract. NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported the restructured deal is for three years and $20 million, along with $7 million guaranteed.
Cribbs, who signed a six-year deal in 2007, has had ongoing negotiations with the team, which at times became acrimonious, since he was promised a new deal by the Browns’ former regime.
“I’d like to say I’m excited, first of all,” Cribbs said. “It’s been a long road. I owe a lot to the fans. I owe a lot to my family. I knew where I wanted to be. And I knew how hard I was going to try to stay where I am.”
Cribbs took only a handful of questions before leaving for an engagement with fans. Holmgren stuck around a bit longer to talk about the first deal since he took over operations of the team in December.
“You have to start out with the core philosophy that we want to keep our core players,” Holmgren said. “Clearly, Josh is one of those.”
Note: Holmgren took a number of questions on free agency, adding that unrestricted free-agent LB Scott Fujita will visit the team Saturday night. Fujita played for the Super Bowl champion Saints last season.