Redskins should trade Albert Haynesworth to Cleveland Browns for Joshua Cribbs

The Redskins have never been afraid to make a big move.  They recently traded for quarterback Donovan McNabb.  Last year Washington acquired 100-million dollar defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.  Now here's a novel idea -- how about paying attention to special teams?

The Redskins should trade for return specialist Joshua Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns.  How about sending Haynesworth to the Browns for Cribbs and a draft choice? The Redskins could rid themselves of Haynesworth's salary, and more importantly, his attitude.  They could use the pick on a      defensive tackle.  

By his own admission, Haynesworth played out of shape last season. This year, he has balked at the idea of playing noseguard in defensive coordinator Jim Haslett’s 3-4 defense, and has clashed with coach Mike Shanahan about attending workouts. 

  Mike Nelms. (Examiner.com Photo/Mike Frandsen) 

Cribbs is one of the best players in the NFL regardless of position. Last year he scored two kickoff returns of more than 100 yards in one game. He holds the NFL record for most kickoff returns for touchdowns with eight, and he’s only 26.  At 6-1 and 215 lbs., Cribbs has elite speed and quickness for his size.

One of the hallmarks of the great Redskins teams of the past was special teams. George Allen was the first coach to hire a special teams coach in the 1970s. Then during the Redskins’ Super Bowl run from the 1982-1991 seasons, Washington had standout special teams players like Mark Moseley, Mike Nelms, Greg Williams, and Pete Cronan “the Barbarian.” 

Moseley was one of the best kickers in NFL history, and in 1981 Nelms scored two touchdowns on punt returns and averaged 30 yards per kickoff return.

Those Redskins teams had a blue-collar work ethic, and while they had Hall of Famers like Art Monk, John Riggins, Russ Grimm, and Darrell Green, it was often the special teams that was the glue of the team.

With the talent level so even in the NFL, special teams can make a major difference. During the Dan Snyder era, the Redskins have averaged slightly more than 7 wins per season. It’s fair to say that Redskins’ kickers, punters, return specialists, and other special teamers have played far worse than average during that span.  

Last year the Browns won five games, in large part due to special teams, as their offense was the NFL's worst and their defense ranked second from the bottom. 

Solid special teams could have easily made the difference between a 7-9 record and a 9-7 record. Last year, the Jets made it to the AFC championship game with a 9-7 record. Two years ago, the Cardinals made it to the Super Bowl with nine regular season wins.

Cribbs, who grew up in Washington and went to Dunbar High School, played quarterback at Kent State University. But he didn’t just play. He rewrote the record books. Cribbs is the only player in NCAA history to lead his team in both rushing and passing in four different seasons.

The Browns haven’t done a good job of getting Cribbs into their lineup, but when they have, he has performed. Cribbs’ career average is 6.5 yards per carry. That’s not a misprint – Cribbs averages 6.5 yards per rush from the line of scrimmage (95 career rushing attempts for 620 yards).

He would immediately become the Redskins’ most dynamic rusher, by far. The Redskins could also use Cribbs as a wildcat quarterback, save a roster spot by having him as their third quarterback, or at least have the threat of him occasionally throwing the ball as a running back. Cribbs can also fill in at wide receiver.

In fact, Cribbs may have been able to play quarterback in the NFL, but the too conservative league never gave him a chance. Mid-American Conference quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger, Chad Pennington, and Byron Leftwich have all had pretty good careers.

Cribbs had asked to be traded in the past but last month the Browns finally signed him to a three-year contract, reportedly for up to 20 million dollars including incentives, with at least seven million guaranteed. Taking on the salary shouldn’t be a problem for Washington, especially during a year without a salary cap. 

Cribbs, the nephew of former Bills 1,000-yard rusher Joe Cribbs, would immediately make the Redskins two wins better. Add that to the improvement the Redskins should experience under Shanahan and with new quarterback McNabb, and the 2010 season suddenly might not be so bad after all.

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