Josh Cribbs' Versatility Sparks Comparison to Patriot Great

When Browns’ head coach Eric Mangini looks at return specialist Josh Cribbs, he must experience an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. Mangini has seen this before. In Cribbs, the Browns have a dynamic return man capable of changing the flow of the game when the ball is in his hands. They have a versatile athlete—able to line up in multiple positions and fulfill different roles on the team. They have an unselfish athlete willing to sacrifice personal achievements for the greater good of the team. Where has Eric Mangini seen such an athlete? In New England. His name was Troy Brown. The similarities between the two players are uncanny. A standout wide receiver from Marshall, Troy Brown was selected with the 198th selection in the 1993 NFL Draft. After narrowly making the Patriots’ roster as a return specialist, Brown took advantage of the situation and carved out a distinct role with the team. He went on to enjoy an outstanding career as one of the most prolific ... (link)