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The best part about Joshua Cribbs getting a sparkling new contract from Cleveland? NFL Network analyst and disguised player agent Deion Sanders will finally stop shouting, “Pay the man!” every time Cribbs’ highlights come on the screen.

Last year, as Cribbs’ role in the Browns offence expanded at a rate that was only matched by Jessica Simpson’s waistline, we started hearing, “Pay the man!” far too often.

The man has been paid. ProFootballTalk has the details:

A league source tells us that the three remaining years on Cribbs’ contract have been replaced with a new deal that includes $7 million in guaranteed money. (Some of that money isn’t guaranteed in the traditional sense, but as a practical matter it will be earned.)

The full value, we’re told, of the three years exceeds $18 million, if Cribbs continues to play like he has. And that’s more than Bears overrated returner/underperforming receiver Devin Hester will make over the next three seasons.

As teams continue to search for Wildcat-like ways to exploit defences, Cribbs continues to gain value. He’s the best player on his team and arguably the most versatile player in the league.

I’m not a huge fan of teams giving players new deals when they still have multiple years remaining on their previous contracts. I believe in the whole, “If we can’t give you less money for playing badly why should we give you more for exceeding expectations?” mantra. Still, if there was one player who deserved a massive restructuring of his contract, it was Cribbs.

MOVE RATING: 8/10

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