Josh Cribbs: Watch Out NFL, Browns Plan on Using Him Even More in 2010

Josh Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns gave fans something to really cheer for during a very difficult 2009 season that also saw the team turn it around at the end with a four-game winning streak.

You may have heard the phrase, "Pay the man," which is currently the cry to get the Browns to pay Cribbs the amount of money he really deserves as the team's most dangerous offensive weapon.

Whether Cribbs was returning kicks/punts, running pass routes as a wide receiver, running the ball from the Wildcat formation, running reverses, or just being a decoy while on the football field, he is a jack-of-all-trades as a football player.

Currently, it has been reported by Cleveland.com that negotiations have begun with Cribbs' agents and they are very close in reaching an agreement and signing on the dotted line.

Cleveland.com beat reporter Terry Pluto has also reported that the Browns' front office has mentioned that they are planning on increasing the amount of snaps utilizing Cribbs' many talents from 40-percent in 2009 to 50-percent in 2010.

Obviously this increase in snaps will be reflected in Cribbs' new contract, but honestly, what else can Cribbs do that he doesn't do already?

Perhaps he will be throwing more passes from the Wildcat formation in 2010 or maybe he will play more as a running back and run the ball out of the backfield?

In 2009, Cribbs was virtually unstoppable running the ball from the Wildcat, even when the defense knew it was coming, and he was even quote as saying, "Just try and stop me."

Defenses could not since Cribbs ran the ball 55 times for 381 yards (6.9 yard average) and one touchdown.

Or maybe he will play in some defensive formations, which was also rumored to happen during training camp of 2009.

All of this is just speculation right now because the Browns will not tip their hat and reveal their plans until the 2010 regular season begins to keep opposing teams off balance.

It is very encouraging to hear that the Browns will use more of Cribbs, but what does that mean for their breakout running back from the last three games of the 2009 campaign, Jerome Harrison?

Harrison ran the ball with reckless abandon in those final three games, and one would have to think the Browns will also lock him up for a long-term contract very soon.

Can you imagine a Wildcat formation with Cribbs under center and Harrison in the backfield?

So many options for misdirection and confusion for defenses with both of those talented players.

This upcoming year is beginning to look very interesting, but the Browns' front office still needs to figure out what will become of their quarterback position, which should be coming within the next two months before April's NFL Draft.

Or at least, we can all hope it will get resolved by then.