CINCINNATI — Joshua Cribbs has resorted to begging.

The Pro Bowl kick returner was a non-factor in the return game again Sunday in the 16-7 loss to Cincinnati. He’s averaged fewer than 23 yards on kickoff returns for four straight games and hasn’t had a return touchdown in five weeks.
Teams aren’t kicking him the ball.

“It’s very frustrating,” he said. “I’m begging them to kick me the ball. They’re like, ‘Why would we do that? You’re the best returner in the league. We’re not stupid.’

“It’s respect, but at the same time, it’s smart.”

The Bengals punted five times and Cribbs didn’t return one. Three went out of bounds, one into the end zone and he fair-caught one. He returned two kickoffs for 38 yards, and one went out of bounds for a penalty.

“They did a good job taking the ball out of my hands on their coverage units,” Cribbs said. “I do what I’m told. We prepare for teams not to kick it to me, even then it’s not good enough. We’ve got to go back to the drawing board.”

The opening kickoff was a bouncer that took a funny hop to get past Cribbs and into the end zone. But he forgot to down it, and Jerome Harrison had to pick up the loose ball to avoid the Bengals falling on it for a touchdown.

“I assumed it was going out of bounds and it didn’t,” said Cribbs, who became the first player in NFL history to amass 1,000 kickoff return yards in each of his first five seasons. “That was recklessness on my behalf. That’s why we’ve got teammates who had my back.”

Cribbs caught three passes for 7 yards and ran once for no gain. But he was part of the Browns’ best play as he took a handoff and threw back to quarterback Brady Quinn for 18 yards to set up a touchdown. The throw was a good one for the college quarterback, and Quinn made a nice catch in tight coverage by linebacker Brandon Johnson.

“That was drawn up perfectly, worked perfectly,” Cribbs said. “He went up and grabbed the football out of the air, yeah, buddy.

“It was tough because I couldn’t see him. I just knew where he was supposed to be and he was there. He’s really athletic.”

Roth steps right in

Matt Roth, who was claimed off waivers Wednesday, started Sunday at outside linebacker opposite Kamerion Wimbley. Roth had seven tackles, a sack and a quarterback hit.

“Matt came in and did a great job,” defensive end Robaire Smith said. “We all know he’s a big, physical linebacker, put some pressure on the quarterback, got him down a couple of times. He played well for us to only be here a couple of days.”

Roth, a second-pick in 2005, was waived Tuesday by Miami after what he described as a “falling-out.” He said he had a layover at the airport Wednesday night and his uncle died on Thanksgiving.

“It’s been a tough week, but the guys were good in welcoming me,” he said.

Robiskie sits again

Browns rookie receiver Brian Robiskie was a healthy inactive for the second straight week and fourth time in 11 games. Robiskie, the No. 36 pick out of Ohio State in April, has one catch.

Jake Allen, who was claimed off waivers from Green Bay on Nov. 17, was active for the first time with the Browns and played a few snaps. Quinn looked for him on a deep out, but the ball was thrown too high.

Allen, a 6-foot-4, 196-pounder from Mississippi College, was undrafted in 2008 and signed by Green Bay. He spent last year on the Packers practice squad and played in one game this year with no stats.

Veikune out again

Rookie linebacker David Veikune, the No. 52 pick, continues to get passed on the depth chart by new additions. He was inactive for the second straight week after totaling no tackles in the first nine games.

In addition to Roth, Arnold Harrison, who was claimed Nov. 18, played on special teams with two tackles.

The Browns’ other inactives were: tight end Robert Royal, cornerbacks Coye Francies and Gerard Lawson, linebacker Marcus Benard and offensive lineman Billy Yates.

Michael Gaines started in Royal’s place.

Out of his control

Coach Eric Mangini said he isn’t involved in the search for a general manager.

“I don’t really have specific individuals in mind,” he said in an interview with The Plain Dealer.

Mangini also said he took over a difficult salary cap situation, which limited his offseason options and played a part in trading away the No. 5 pick in the draft. He likes the results of the deal that allowed the Jets to draft USC quarterback Mark Sanchez.

“I feel good about the trade,” he said. “I think that (center) Alex Mack is going to be a good player for a long time. Kenyon Coleman’s been more productive than some of the (defensive) ends that were drafted. (Injured rookie running back) James Davis was part of that and we’ll see where he ends up.

“But when you start with four picks and a lot of money committed on the cap, there’s not a ton of opportunity to dramatically change the composition of the roster.”

Extra points

Chris Jennings got his first NFL start at running back. Jamal Lewis replaced him on the second play. Jerome Harrison was back after being inactive last week, giving the Browns three running backs.

Lewis rushed 11 times for 40 yards, Jennigns two for 5 and Harrison two for 3.

l Jason Trusnik moved from outside linebacker to inside linebacker, starting in place of rookie Kaluka Maiava. Roth started for Trusnik, and Maiava played in passing situations.

Trusnik had a career-high 10 tackles.

Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

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