CLEVELAND — Wide receiver Michael Crabtree is known for getting a little testy a times, but he appeared humbled and driven after the Ravens' stunning 12-9 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
That's the right attitude. Now, just catch the damn ball.
Crabtree, a 10-year veteran, dropped three passes against the Browns, including the possible game-winner in the back of the end zone on a perfectly thrown pass by quarterback Joe Flacco with one minute left regulation.
Instead of possibly securing the win, the Ravens had to settle for a 32-yard field goal by Justin Tucker to tie the game before losing to one of the worst teams in the NFL during the past decade.
"Tough one. It started off slow, and I put that on me," Crabtree said. "I had the game-winner and should have caught that one. I have got to finish it. I've been there and done that before."
That's why the Ravens signed Crabtree in March to a three-year, $21 million contract. The Ravens were looking to get from Crabtree what Antonio Brown gives the Pittsburgh Steelers and A.J. Green gives the Cincinnati Bengals.
Realistically, Crabtree is a step down from those two guys, but he did have 579 career receptions and 51 touchdowns during previous tenures with the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders. He was known for being clutch inside the red zone.
But in crunch time Sunday he didn't deliver and hasn't been the "go-to receiver" this season. He has dropped six passes and has looked like a complementary receiver for speedster John Brown.
Wasn't that supposed to be the other way around?
At least after the game he was accountable and didn't back away from questions.
"I've been there and done that [caught the game-winner]," Crabtree said. "This time around I came up short. I have to get back into the lab and work on this concentration. That's just something football players do.