After spending the first eight years of his career in Cleveland, Josh Cribbs signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders, his agent announced via Twitter. The specifics of the deal weren’t disclosed.
Cribbs then posted his own message on the social media website, clearly excited about a new start:
"I'm blessed to have the opportunity to prove myself yet again. Fresh start, new team, new chip on my shoulder," he tweeted.
Oakland was one of five teams (Jets, Giants, Lions, Cardinals) that Cribbs visited with this offseason. Cribbs had offseason knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus, which may have delayed any potential deals.
Last season Cribbs managed just seven catches, but he ranked fourth in the NFL with a 27.4 yards per return average on kickoffs. He also made the Pro Bowl for the third time in his career.
The former Kent State quarterback was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2005, and he blossomed into one of the league’s most dynamic special-teams players.
Cribbs, 29, is tied for the most kickoff returns for touchdowns in NFL history with eight. He also has three punt returns for touchdowns. In his eight seasons, Cribbs amassed 12,169 return yards via kickoffs and punts, becoming just the sixth player in NFL history to reach the 12,000-yard mark.
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