Cleveland Browns 2010 Preview: A Look at Josh Cribbs' Many Positions

The Cleveland Browns and the city of Cleveland have a new king in town and that is two-time Pro Bowler Josh Cribbs.

Cribbs is the biggest sports name in the city no matter what anyone thinks, and the strange thing about this is Cribbs may be the most popular player in the NFL right now who does not have a real position.

The main weapon of the Browns' offense and special teams, Cribbs is a man of many talents and he will be used all over the field in 2010, especially since he just got a new three-year contract.

Look for the Browns to use Cribbs as effectively as they have ever been able to use him in the 2010 NFL season, and the following is a fun and entertaining preview of Cribbs' many positions that he can and probably will play this season for the Browns.

Cribbs At Quarterback

Cribbs was a quarterback in college at Kent State University, and then transitioned to become the all-around player he is when he came into the NFL.

Career college passing stats:

54.8-percent completion rate, 7,169 yards, 45 touchdowns, 34 interceptions.

Cribbs As a Running Back/Flash Package

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 27: Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns runs into Kirk Morrison #52 and Thomas Howard #53 of the Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 27, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Cribbs is very effective with the ball in his hands, since he can break tackles due to his size being 6'1" and 215 pounds.

Shedding tacklers left and right, even when the opposing defense knows Cribbs is about to run with ball out of the Flash package, they could not stop him in 2009.

Also look for Cribbs to possibly line up as a running back behind Browns backup quarterback Seneca Wallace in the Browns' new version of the Wildcat, which is called the Cyclone, and has both Cribbs and Wallace behind the line of scrimmage at the same time.

2009 rushing stats:

381 yards, 6.9 yards per carry, one touchdown.

Cribbs At Wide Receiver

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 11: Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns runs ahead of Reggie Corner #27 and Jairus Byrd #31 of the Buffalo Bills against at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 11, 2009 in Orchard Park, New York. The Browns defeated the Bills

Cribbs may be listed as the receiver, but he will only see time at the position mostly for short screen passes where the offensive line will roll out in front of him to pave his way.

Or he will be used as a decoy to shift the defense's coverage his way, which might open up receivers on the other side of the field.

Whatever the case, do not look for a 1,000-plus receiving yards from Cribbs in 2010.

2009 receiving stats:

20 receptions, 135 yards, one touchdown.

Cribbs As a Kick Returner

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 20: Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns returns his second kickoff of the day for a touchdown to set an NFL record of 8 in a season during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 20, 2009 at Arrowhead Stadium

Cribbs is the most dangerous as a kick returner more than at any other position, and he is the NFL record-holder for kicks returns in one career — returning eight for touchdowns already.

The Browns' special teams is one of the best in the NFL and Cribbs' returns puts the Browns' offense is great field position, just as long as the offense can take advantage of the field position in 2010.

2009 kick return stats:

1,542 yards, 27.5 yards per kick return, three touchdowns.

Cribbs As a Punt Returner

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 10: Josh Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns stiff-arms Daniel Sepulveda #9 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 10, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Even though he is more dangerous as a kick returner, Cribbs stills can be equally as dangerous on punt returns too.

Regardless, Cribbs will set up the Browns' offense nicely with his punt returns too in 2010.

2009 punt return stats:

452 yards, 11.9 yards per punt return, one touchdown.

Cribbs As a Special Teams Gunner

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CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns makes a diving tackle against Yamon Figurs #16 of the Baltimore Ravens on a fourth quarter punt return at Cleveland Browns Stadium September 30, 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defea

For as dangerous as Cribbs is with the ball in his hands, he is also dangerous without the ball when he is attacking the opposing teams' returners as a gunner.

Knifing through traffic to get to the ball carrier, Cribbs may not play the gunner role as much as he has in the past, but look for him to line up as one in 2010 during certain situations.

Cribbs On Defense?

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CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 13, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Rumors have been circulating for the last year or so that Cribbs could see a role in the defensive backfield as a safety in certain situations.

No truth has become of these rumors...at least until Browns fans actually see him line up as a safety.

Anything is possible with Cribbs.

Is There Anything Cribbs Can't Do?

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 30: Josh Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns positions himself at the line of scrimmage during the game against the San Francisco 49ers on December 30, 2007 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo By Gregory Shamus/Gett

Cribbs may not have a definitive position, but his presence on the field will give the Browns an advantage over defenses every time since they will not know what is coming at the snap.

Combine that with the new Cyclone package with both Cribbs and Wallace on the field at the same time, and the Browns have many more options than just a standard passing play or a standard running play.

If the Browns are to improve and succeed in 2010, then they need to use Cribbs to their advantage over defenses both with and without the ball in his hands.