nobody Posted August 9, 2006 Posted August 9, 2006 Seems like he was only productive for one more season after he left the Bills so the Bills got the best value out of him and were smart enough not to resign him.
stevewin Posted August 9, 2006 Posted August 9, 2006 I'll always associate Joe Cribbs with 10th grade Geometry. I'll never forget - the day after the draft that year my Geometry teacher out of nowhere spent half the class discussing the draft. I'll never forget him saying "Joe Cribbs should be a good one. Keep an eye on him" Where is he now
true_blue_bill Posted August 9, 2006 Author Posted August 9, 2006 It's a real sad tale and it's not all Joe's fault, that's for sure. He was getting paid peanuts in comparison to production and wanted a pay increase. But the real dagger was the way they kept him on the bench for the team's final game so he wouldn't gain the yards necessary for one of his incentive bonuses (I think it was like $15K or something...but, I'm old and I drink...so the details might be wrong). Maybe it was he missed the bonus yardage by 15 yards. Anyway, his agent certainly didn't do the best job in representing him...but AFAIC, the Bills screwed this one up more so than Cribbs. 739329[/snapback] One thing I do remember was that a fax or something was sent to Cribbs witha base salary and an incentive that said he got $500 for every yard he gained, and they accepted the deal. But it was a typo and suppose to say $50 a yard, and the contract talks lagged on. What was frustrating was that 1980 was such a great season and you just wanted that to continue. 1981 wasn't bad, but not as good as 1980.
stuckincincy Posted August 9, 2006 Posted August 9, 2006 ...but, I'm old and I drink...so the details might be wrong). 739329[/snapback] "Louis, this is the beginning of a wonderful friendship." Dean, perhaps we shall cross paths some day...
Buftex Posted August 9, 2006 Posted August 9, 2006 When he was here, from 1980-1985, his avg yards per carry numbers were:1980 3.9 1981 4.3 1982 4.7 1983 4.3 1984 injured 1985 3.3 He went over 1,000 three times and caught 50+ balls a few times. Twice he managed to catch 7 TD passes in a season. All told he had 36 TDs for us. He finished in the top 10 for yards from scrimmage three times. Yeah, Cribbs could flat out play. 739302[/snapback] Actually, I don't think Cribbs was injured in 1984, he was in the USFL...he came back to Buffalo in 1985, after the USFL folded, and backed up Greg Bell, who had a pretty good rookie year...Cribbs really didn't really want to return to Buffalo, but the Bills owned his exclusive rights...he played little in 1985, and may have been injured on and off that year (sorry can't remember)...he was traded to the 49'ers, the day the Bills finally came to terms with Jim Kelly... Incidently, I just purchased a Joe Cribbs jeresey on Ebay....it is sweet!
true_blue_bill Posted August 9, 2006 Author Posted August 9, 2006 Actually, I don't think Cribbs was injured in 1984, he was in the USFL...he came back to Buffalo in 1985, after the USFL folded, and backed up Greg Bell, who had a pretty good rookie year...Cribbs really didn't really want to return to Buffalo, but the Bills owned his exclusive rights...he played little in 1985, and may have been injured on and off that year (sorry can't remember)...he was traded to the 49'ers, the day the Bills finally came to terms with Jim Kelly...Incidently, I just purchased a Joe Cribbs jeresey on Ebay....it is sweet! 739395[/snapback] He also played for awhile with the Dolphins. I remember him returning kickoffs for them
KRC Posted August 9, 2006 Posted August 9, 2006 Actually, I don't think Cribbs was injured in 1984, he was in the USFL...he came back to Buffalo in 1985, after the USFL folded, and backed up Greg Bell, who had a pretty good rookie year...Cribbs really didn't really want to return to Buffalo, but the Bills owned his exclusive rights...he played little in 1985, and may have been injured on and off that year (sorry can't remember)...he was traded to the 49'ers, the day the Bills finally came to terms with Jim Kelly...Incidently, I just purchased a Joe Cribbs jeresey on Ebay....it is sweet! 739395[/snapback] You would be correct. He left in the spring of 1984 to play with the Stallions. 1986-7 he was with the 49ers...1988 with Indy...and 1989 with Miami.
Mickey Posted August 9, 2006 Posted August 9, 2006 Actually, I don't think Cribbs was injured in 1984, he was in the USFL...he came back to Buffalo in 1985, after the USFL folded, and backed up Greg Bell, who had a pretty good rookie year...Cribbs really didn't really want to return to Buffalo, but the Bills owned his exclusive rights...he played little in 1985, and may have been injured on and off that year (sorry can't remember)...he was traded to the 49'ers, the day the Bills finally came to terms with Jim Kelly...Incidently, I just purchased a Joe Cribbs jeresey on Ebay....it is sweet! 739395[/snapback] You are right and in fact, it turns out he was the leading rusher in the entire USFL in 1984 with 1,467 yards playing for the Birmingham Stallions who finished the year 14-4 and in the playoffs. He had another 500 yards in receiving and 5 TD catches to go with his 8 TDs on the ground. What was Buffalo's record in 1984? Answer: 2-14.
Buftex Posted August 9, 2006 Posted August 9, 2006 You are right and in fact, it turns out he was the leading rusher in the entire USFL in 1984 with 1,467 yards playing for the Birmingham Stallions who finished the year 14-4 and in the playoffs. He had another 500 yards in receiving and 5 TD catches to go with his 8 TDs on the ground. What was Buffalo's record in 1984? Answer: 2-14. 739423[/snapback] The begining of the "goldon era", part 3...of 4 parts!
Pete Posted August 9, 2006 Posted August 9, 2006 He will also be at the Saratoga Race track this Sunday as part of the NFL Alumni day. 738978[/snapback] I was at Saratoga Monday and noticed that. Joe was a great Bill. He was awesome before bolting for the USFL
seq004 Posted August 9, 2006 Posted August 9, 2006 Ralph Wilson was very cheap (at the risk of offending so many here), and his miserly ways ruined what was a very good football team. Cribbs was a very complete back, and for 2 or three years, was one of the very best in the leauge! he could catch, was very fast, and very tough to tackle...Cribbs is an all-timer to me...as I recall, Cribbs contract requests, at that time, were pretty resonable for a player of his caliber...Ralph just was not interested in re-signing guys when their contract expired. OJ Simpson was the exception, not the rule. It is part of what sent Chuck Knox (a great football coach in his day, who braught credibility to a very poorly run franchise) packing for Seattle. 739194[/snapback] For 1980 and 81 I think he was the best back in the league. He was great at catching the ball out of the backfield following his blockers down the field. Yes Ralph was a real cheapie in those days and a lot of players were going to the USFL back then but it seemed strange when he came back in 1985. The talent was gone but I think he finally got some money. I don't really remember what happened after that to him other than I believe Rob Riddick or Ronnie Harmon meant he was done. Does anyone remember if he was even a starter the year he returned? I partied to much back then. When he held out in 82 I think he was asking for 480,000 and at that time that was some serious green. I believe he was only making about 150,000 a year on his rookie contract. Ralph should have paid it.
ConradDobler Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 Anyway, his agent certainly didn't do the best job in representing him...but AFAIC, the Bills screwed this one up more so than Cribbs. 739329[/snapback] It also didn't help that Cribbs' agent, Jerry Argovitz, was a silent partner of a USFL team. I believe that he was indicted for this. Argovitz also represented Billy Sims, IIRC, and used the same tactics (agree to a contract and then ask for more) to get him into the USFL.
Lori Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 It also didn't help that Cribbs' agent, Jerry Argovitz, was a silent partner of a USFL team. I believe that he was indicted for this. Argovitz also represented Billy Sims, IIRC, and used the same tactics (agree to a contract and then ask for more) to get him into the USFL. 739984[/snapback] The same Dr. Argovitz who later owned the Houston Gamblers and signed Jim Kelly out from under the Bills? You can look at it two different ways: either the Bills' tight pursestrings made the USFL an attractive alternative, or the USFL was willing to overbid for players in order to make inroads vs. the NFL in general. (IIRC, "The Donald" gave Doug Flutie the biggest rookie contract in pro football history to play for his New Jersey Generals.) Either way, we can thank the USFL for developing Jim Kelly... but also blame it in part for those horrific 1984-85 seasons.
Buftex Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 For 1980 and 81 I think he was the best back in the league. He was great at catching the ball out of the backfield following his blockers down the field. Yes Ralph was a real cheapie in those days and a lot of players were going to the USFL back then but it seemed strange when he came back in 1985. The talent was gone but I think he finally got some money. I don't really remember what happened after that to him other than I believe Rob Riddick or Ronnie Harmon meant he was done. Does anyone remember if he was even a starter the year he returned? I partied to much back then. When he held out in 82 I think he was asking for 480,000 and at that time that was some serious green. I believe he was only making about 150,000 a year on his rookie contract. Ralph should have paid it. 739506[/snapback] Actually, it was Greg Bell who kept Cribbs on the bench, upon his second stint with the Bills, not Riddick or Harmon (I don't even think Harmon & Cribbs were ever teammates). The Bills had drafted Bell, out of Notre Dame, with their #1 pick in the draft. Cribbs was added (with the USFL's demise) after that. He did not wish to return to Buffalo, but the Bills seemed determined to keep him (they still retained his rights). He did play some in his year back (I seem to remember him having a 100 yard game somewhere that season), but not much...I remember at the time (when national sports media was much smaller) reading things, saying that the Bills were being vindictive to keep him, when it appeared they didn't need him, and stupid for not trading him...Cribbs did not talk to the media that entire season, but kept a calander prominently displayed in his locker, marking off the days, until his "sentance" in Buffalo was over...
Buftex Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 15 carries for 90 yards and 2 TD's that game. He was in the pro bowl three years straight. He missed the whole 1984 season due to injury. He was also hurt in 1982, playing in only 7 games that year. That was the only reason he didn't get 1,000 that year. He was actually having his best year ever at the time. 633 yards in ony 7 games was pretty sweet. 739311[/snapback] Just to set the record straight, Cribbs didn't play in Buffalo in 1984 (he was in the USFL), and in 1982, there were only 9 NFL games, as there was a strike that year. The Bills finished 4-5, after getting off to a pre-strike 2-0 start! So, he played 4 full seasons in Buffalo, and one strike shortened season, over 6 years. One of those 4 full seasons (his final in Buffalo), he played very litte, as Greg Bell (drafted in 1984 to replace the departed Cribbs) was the second year running back, coming off a 1000 yard season. I seem to remember Cribbs having some nagging injuries that year, as well. The Bills, at that time, were every bit as dysfunctional a franchise as there has ever been...Cribbs should be remembered for the great talent he was. He was an elite back, not a good back, like Greg Bell, Antowain Smith or more recently, Travis Henry. Cribbs was much closer to Thurman, in terms of talent and production, than he was to those other guys.
Buftex Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 I wonder if he'll hold out at the last minute for the best seat at the table and threaten to leave for the Memphis Showboats Alumi dinner instead? http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060...?tbd1013154.asp Weekend with Fergy The Bills Alumni group has a big weekend of activities planned for Sept. 23-25, when dozens of former players will return for their annual get-together. They will be introduced before the Bills' home opener against the Jets. Joe Ferguson and many stars from the 1980-81 Bills are coming, including Joe Cribbs, Fred Smerlas, Jim Ritcher, Reggie McKenzie, Jerry Butler, Frank Lewis and coach Chuck Knox. Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, Billy Shaw, Joe DeLamielleure, Kent Hull and Darryl Talley also will attend. right] Is anyone going to attend this function?
KRC Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 Is anyone going to attend this function? 740173[/snapback] I have attended some in the past and had a great time. I highly recommend it.
Mark VI Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 Who could ever forget the home Monday night game in 1981 against Miami. Ferguson hits Cribbs on the same deep slant 3 times for TD's in the first half. 31-7 in the 2nd quarter and the place runs out beer as halftime ends.
Buftex Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 Who could ever forget the home Monday night game in 1981 against Miami. Ferguson hits Cribbs on the same deep slant 3 times for TD's in the first half. 31-7 in the 2nd quarter and the place runs out beer as halftime ends. 740193[/snapback] I just burned that game onto DVD this past weekend! Great game....funny, Cosell and Meredith were writing the Dolphins off, mid-second quarter, when the bills went up 17-0...just as they are talking about what a long night they are in for, Nate Thurman runs a kick back for Miami...what an excitng game...I loved that team!
seq004 Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 Actually, it was Greg Bell who kept Cribbs on the bench, upon his second stint with the Bills, not Riddick or Harmon (I don't even think Harmon & Cribbs were ever teammates). The Bills had drafted Bell, out of Notre Dame, with their #1 pick in the draft. Cribbs was added (with the USFL's demise) after that. He did not wish to return to Buffalo, but the Bills seemed determined to keep him (they still retained his rights). He did play some in his year back (I seem to remember him having a 100 yard game somewhere that season), but not much...I remember at the time (when national sports media was much smaller) reading things, saying that the Bills were being vindictive to keep him, when it appeared they didn't need him, and stupid for not trading him...Cribbs did not talk to the media that entire season, but kept a calander prominently displayed in his locker, marking off the days, until his "sentance" in Buffalo was over... 740063[/snapback] Thats right I forgot about Greg Bell. I believe Harmon was drated the next year with Will Wolford. Didn't Cribbs put jail bars on locker when he came back? Fitting he left the day Kelly was signed.
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