BEREA, Ohio – Former Browns special teams ace Josh Cribbs still lives in Cleveland and knows where he wants to wind up Sunday afternoon in his return to FirstEnergy Stadium.

"You're gonna see me in the stadium hugging fans and if I have the opportunity to score I would jump into the Dawg Pound to hug those guys who helped create me," Cribbs said in a conference call. "They helped give me the strength and the motivation I have today."

Cribbs comes back as one of four former Browns – D'Qwell Jackson, Trent Richardson and Mike Adams are the others -- on the Indianapolis Colts' roster. It's a big game for all involved, but Cribbs is the one who remains the closest to the fan base.

The 31-year-old, who ranks third all-time in combined punt and kickoff return yardage (13,036), said he held out hope until recent weeks the Browns might sign him.

He said it "ate me up" to see how poorly the Browns were performing in punt and kick returns. They rank 31st and 26th respectively in those categories.

"They've always been known to have a great unit and I know (special teams coach) Chris Tabor was upset about not having the best unit because he's a great coach," said Cribbs, who played for the Browns from 2005-12. "It was eating me up not being able to help the team ... it hurt."

He harbors "no ill will," Cribbs said, toward the current coaching staff and management team that doesn't know him personally and might just think "he's old." Cribbs said if his candid nature bothered coaches and management, he gladly would have been more vanilla with his comments in the press.

Cribbs never doubted he had more to give even though his phone wasn't ringing after appearing in just six games with the Jets a season ago. He finally signed with the Colts on Nov. 18. In two games, Cribbs has 61 yards on eight punt returns. As a team, the Browns have 77 yards on 20 punt returns.

"I'm only making the minimum," Cribbs said. "I'm just a guy off the street who's still got it ... I'm excited to have the opportunity to prove my worth again."

Cribbs also has returned seven kickoffs for a 31.4 yard average.

"It's been awesome," Colts coach Chuck Pagano said in a conference call. "He's given us a spark in the return game, he's tough as nails ... he's a nightmare (for opponents)."

Browns coach Mike Pettine was asked again Wednesday why the Browns didn't sign Cribbs, who had been working as a football analyst for WKYC Channel 3.

"I know (general manager) Ray (Farmer) and his group are evaluating all the circumstances involved with a particular player when they make a decision whether to bring him in or not," Pettine said. "Staff-wise they will bounce names off us and we'll bring guys in to potentially try out and sign. But it's something where we (didn't) ever felt comfortable, taking everything into account, to bring him in."

Cribbs said if there's anyway he can keep the first kickoff Sunday from going out of the end zone he plans to run it out. "Don't expect too many touchbacks," he added.

Would Cribbs really jump into the Dawg Pound if he scored? "I'll try to get the 'OK'" from fans ahead of time, he said.

Jackson, the Browns' former defensive captain, chuckled when he heard of Cribbs' response.

"I'll tell you this, if I ever make a play and if I'm in the end zone, I'm definitely not jumping in the Dawg Pound," Jackson said. "I can guarantee that."