Indianapolis Colts Part Ways With Josh Cribbs
After appearing in only six games with the Colts in 2014, the team released the veteran return-specialist Friday evening.
After GM Ryan Grigson selected former Miami speedster Phillip Dorsett with the teams 29th pick in the draft, many figured that Josh Cribbs was all but gone in Indianapolis.
There’s two reasons for this, actually.
For one, Dorsett is known for his speed and his abilities in the return game. He totaled 449 yards on kick returns, averaging 19.5 yards per-return during his three years in Miami. Look for Dorsett to be the go-to guy in the return game for the Colts this season. The team also took D’Joun Smith, a cornerback from Florida Atlantic, who has experience as a return man and a 4.45 40 time.
For two, many could argue that Cribbs is well past his prime. At 31 years old it was evident to most that he wasn’t the same type of game-changing returner that he once was. It seemed all too often that Cribbs would look to make a big play and ultimately hurt the Colts in the process (see AFC Championship game).
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Too many times would Cribbs try to make a big play deep in the end-zone, or refuse a fair-catch in hopes of showing the league that he still had it.
Many fans remember in 2012 in a Thursday Night Football game against the Baltimore Ravens when Cribbs was literally knocked unconscious while returning a punt.
A lack of depth at the kick/punt return position is what would eventually lead to the Colts signing the veteran in the midst of the season last year.
Although it didn’t quite pan out as the Colts had hoped, any lingering questions for the Colts in the return game could be answered come September with Dorsett as the team’s newest specialist.