After spending his entire NFL career with the Cleveland Browns, Josh Cribbs is heading west.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport cited a source in reporting Wednesday that the wide receiver and dynamic return man has signed a contract with the Oakland Raiders.
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Cribbs later tweeted a confirmation, writing: "I am blessed to have the opportunity to prove myself yet again! Fresh start, New team, New chip on my shoulder!!!!"
Cribbs' agent, J.R. Rickert, told The Associated Press that the veteran signed a one-year contract and picked the Raiders because "Josh felt they could utilize his skill set the best, both as a returner and a receiver."
"He views them as an upstart team that has a chance to compete in the division, and I think it's a great fit for everybody," Rickert added.
The signing ends a multi-stop offseason tour for Cribbs, who worked out for the Detroit Lions, New York Giants and New York Jets last week. John Idzik, the Jets' general manager, told The Star-Ledger on Tuesday that Cribbs' surgically repaired left knee "isn't quite there yet," but the Raiders are convinced he can make a difference.
Gregg Rosenthal ranked Oakland's wideouts as the worst in the NFL, and Cribbs, if healthy, should see his share of playing time. Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford are penciled in as starters, with Rod Streater and Juron Criner vying for snaps. It's an especially young group, and Cribbs brings a veteran presence, even if his better days are behind him.
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Cribbs wasn't a standout pass-catcher in Cleveland's West Coast offense over the past two seasons, but he arguably hasn't been used correctly since Eric Mangini coached the Browns. Those teams saw Cribbs take direct snaps and operate as Mr. Everything for a franchise lacking star power. He was a fan favorite there from Day One.
Landing with the Raiders doesn't guarantee Cribbs finally will play for a winner -- far from it -- but he will see the ball in Oakland more than he has in recent years.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
