National Football League

Cribbs, Alexander leaning to Cards

Published Mar. 12, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

The Arizona Cardinals could soon be landing two of the NFL’s top special teams players.

A source tells FOXSports.com that Cleveland wide receiver Josh Cribbs and Washington linebacker Lorenzo Alexander are leaning toward signing as free agents with Arizona.

Cribbs has spent all eight of his NFL seasons in Cleveland primarily as a special-teams standout and jack-of-all-trades offensive player. Cribbs was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team in the 2000s as a kickoff returner and is the all-time leader in Browns history in that role. Cribbs also is tied for the NFL all-time record in kickoff returns for touchdowns with eight.

Cribbs would be signed as both a wide receiver and returner by Arizona, the source said. Cribbs posted a career-high 41 receptions in 2011 but wasn’t a significant part of the team’s passing offense in 2012. He finished with only 13 touches (seven catches; six rushes), marking his lowest production since Cribbs’ rookie campaign in 2005.

Alexander is also attracting feelers from Pittsburgh and San Francisco. Washington was unable to come close to matching offers elsewhere because of salary-cap restraints, the source said.

Alexander’s 19 special-teams tackles led the NFL in 2012. He also was a key backup linebacker for the Redskins, where he had played since 2006, and is one of the league’s most active players in charitable causes.