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Cleveland Browns

Cribbs named player of week; Harrison snubbed

By Marla Ridenour Published: December 23, 2009

Browns star Joshua Cribbs was named AFC special teams player of the week after returning kickoffs for 100- and 103-yard touchdowns Sunday at Kansas City.

Cribbs became the second player in league history to record two touchdowns of at least 100 yards in a game and the ninth in league history to return two kickoffs for touchdowns.

He became the NFL's all-time leader in kickoff returns for TDs with eight. His 269 kickoff return yards and 305 total return yards both ranked fourth in the league all-time, the former setting a Browns' franchise record.

Asked Monday what makes Cribbs arguably the best kickoff returner in league history, Browns coach Eric Mangini said, ''I don't think it's arguable any more. I think he's won that argument. He's got excellent vision. He's got rare toughness. He has great strength and the ability to break tackles. He often times doesn't look like he's moving that fast, it's deceptively fast that way he moves.''

Browns running back Jerome Harrison, whose 286 yards rushing was the third-best performance in league history, was beaten out for the AFC offensive player award by Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger.

Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger threw for 503 yards and 3 touchdowns, including the game-winning score as time expired, in a 37-36 triumph over Green Bay.

''He's won Super Bowls and it really was a sensational play to win the game,'' Harrison said. ''I understand it. I don't play for the awards and the attention, anyway, I play for these guys in this locker room. It doesn't bother me, not one bit.''

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