P.M. Cleveland Browns links: D'Qwell Jackson could fit in a 4-3; Maria Cribbs sticks up for her hubby

D'Qwell Jackson's past performance and history of injuries makes re-signing the NFL's leader in tackles in 2008 a true conundrum.

View full sizeAP FileIn 2008, Browns linebacker D'Qwell led the NFL in tackles, including this stop of Houston's Ahman Green.

Cleveland, Ohio -- The Browns are shifting to a 4-3 defense under new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron. That means the linebackers are going to have to be pretty active fellows.

How'd you like to have one who led the NFL in tackles with 154, and even had six pass deflections?

Guess what? You DO have one ... sort of. D'Qwell Jackson led the NFL in tackles in 2008, the last year he was able to play the entire season. He missed 2009 with a torn left pectoral muscle and the 2010 season with a torn right pec, and underwent surgery each time.

Jackson is a free agent this year -- assuming there IS a this year -- and because of the injuries, could come relatively cheap. He does have the speed and versatility to succeed in a 3-4. The question is whether he can stay healthy.

Our thought is that Terry Pluto hit the nail on the proverbial head with a Plain Dealer column this weekend:

The early medical reports on D'Qwell Jackson's recovery from his pectoral surgery are positive. Jackson had surgery on his left pectoral in 2009, and his right one in 2010. It's hard to know if he can stay healthy. But the Browns believe he is better suited for the 4-3 defense than the 3-4 Jackson played starting in 2006. They would not pay big money for a guy who has missed most of the last two seasons, but they do have an interest in bringing him back for the right price.

Brian Murphy of bleacherreport.com followed up Terry's piece with one today that summed up the situation thusly:

Pat Shurmur and the rest of his coaching staff will have to take a long look at Jackson and if he can bounce back from yet another season on injured reserve. If the coaches feel confident enough to re-sign him, Jackson was seeking a long-term deal last summer before signing a one-year tender with the Browns.

Depending on what the Browns are able to acquire in the draft, we're kind of thinking that Cleveland should take another chance on Jackson. When healthy, he's everything you need in a middle linebacker in a 4-3. The OTAs and training camp will be a good chance to see if he can stay that way, and turn into a worthwhile investment.

More on the Cribbs tweet
Maria Cribbs, Josh Cribbs' wife, went to Twitter herself to stick up for her husband after the wideout/returner tweeted a picture of LeBron James from the NBA All-Star game . . . while sitting in seats provided by Cavs owner Dan Gilbert.

She's been known to use Twitter to advocate for him before, back when he and the Browns were going toe-to-toe over a new contract.

Her twitter account, with the handle @mrs_one_six, is set to private, but here's a sample of some of her tweets to her husband, according to Pete Kenworthy of newsnet5.com:

“@JoshCribbs16 Why don't u just tell everyone to kiss ur (expletive)!! Ur a grown (expletive) man&can like who u damn well please!!”

“@JoshCribbs16 Misery loves company!! Learn to pay no mind to miserable folks and what they have to say!!”

“@JoshCribbs16 Oh yeah their just mad that they're not YOU or Lebron!! LMBAO!! Hehehe”

After those tweets, she responded to what was apparently tweeted to her. A Twitter user with the handle @cavs3125 was referring to Cribbs sitting at the All-Star game in seats provided by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.

Her response comes before the comment that was sent to her.

“He can do what the [expletive] he want to!! Just know that!! RT @cavs3125: @MRS_ONE_SIX he can like whoever he wants but don't take pics of bron and says he's your boy while in gilberts seats. Not smart.”

Not long after that tweet, Maria Cribbs offered this one:

“If u don't like what me or my husband @joshcribbs16 have to say DON'T [expletive] FOLLOW US”

Gotta respect one spouse sticking up for another, albeit with less than ideal language. And we still think sitting in Gilbert's seats and tweeting a picture of LeBron James tagged "My Boy" wasn't the best public relations move he could've made. But his first 40-yard punt return for a score will make it all better.

To read our original version of the tweeting story, click here. Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff discusses the tweet and the potential fallout on yesterday's edition of SBTV. Which also, just for the record, has a poll to assess Browns' fans reaction to the tweet and subsequent tizzy.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2011/02/pm_cleveland_browns_links.html

Waste US supreme court Equality Alastair Cook Kevin Campbell Chelsea