Orange Alert: NFL return records under threat

In 2007, Joshua Cribbs gained 1,809 yards on kickoff returns, second best in NFL history. This season, he is on pace for 1,848. That’s pretty darn good, especially considering that he has only one return of more than 40 yards.

The new prohibition against wedges has hurt him, but the return unit is lately figuring out how to give Cribbs the crease he needs to power through. He’s proven good for at least one TD a year, and given that Browns opponents are bound to be kicking off aplenty, he could very well break MarTay Jenkins’ league record of 2,186 set in 2000. And with his next trip to the house, he’ll tie the NFL record for career kickoff return touchdowns (six).

Even more impressive are his punt returns. He’s projected to shatter his career best of 405 yards, also set in that amazing 2007 season. Through four games, his 237 punt return yards already eclipses last year’s total of 228. Cribbs’ current pace would yield 948 for the season, which would top Desmond Howard’s 875 (in 1996) for the most in NFL history.