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Why Braylon Edwards is not a member of Big Blue!

A J Cusimano Written by A J Cusimano, Friday May 08 2009
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I have thought about the idea of Braylon Edwards in a Giant uniform and have come to the same conclusion – let Mangini deal with him.

When Jerry Reese did not pull the trigger on the trade, and kept the draft choices and players the Browns were demanding, it may have been the best trade the Giants made this post-season.  My confidence in the Giants General Manager was confirmed.  Jerry Reese does not need my approval.

 

One of the keys of the 2007 run to the Super Bowl was team chemistry, and it can take one player or one event to destroy that chemistry.  As I sat in the Meadowlands watching Osi being taken off the field, I had a bad feeling about the season.  Never did I give up on the belief that the Giants could make it to the Super Bowl in 2008, but something seemed to be missing.  The team chemistry was not the same.

 

What does all of this have to do with Braylon Edwards?  Did we not just have a player who was so self-involved that once given a nice fat contract with a big bonus, he began to self-destruct.  Early in the season he missed practices, did not communicate with his coaches and began to unravel internally.  How else can you explain some of his actions culminating in the night out, while carrying a loaded weapon in a public setting.  Nothing good can come of that combination.

 

I see Braylon Edwards as an extension of the Plaxico Burress experiment.  The young man has so much talent, can dominate a game and put fear in the hearts of cornerbacks.  But who is the real Braylon Edwards and why were the Browns so anxious to trade him?

 

Let’s look at his contributions since being drafted with the 3rd overall pick.  In 2007, he had a great year for a second year player.  He had 16 touchdowns, 80 receptions and 1,289 yards; his catches accounted for 57 first downs. 

 

In 2006, he had 61 receptions for 884 yards and six touchdowns.  Last year, he had 55 catches for 873 yards, and dropped 16 passes, leading the league.  His yards after catch never exceeded 5.3 yards per catch, and that was in 2006.  What these numbers tell me is that 2007 was an extraordinary year.  These numbers do not warrant giving a first or second round pick and an additional pick, plus an experienced player such as Domenik Hixon. 

 

After all the drama surrounding Braylon Edwards, he is still a Cleveland Brown.  All of the potential suitors, the Giants, Eagles, and Jets have not been willing to give up the value the Browns desire.  He will be traded, possibly before training camp, but not until the Browns lower their expectations and demands.

 

The Giants have a young set of receivers: Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon, Mario Manningham, Sinorice Moss, David Tyree, Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden.  The last two are very promising rookies, and both with the skills to be successful. There is no reason why this group of receivers, plus their tight ends, cannot produce to the level expected of them.  I for one believe they will, and that success will translate into another playoff run.  The NFC East will be another battle of wills between the Eagles and Giants, and it will be without Braylon Edwards.

 

Thank You Jerry Reese.

 

Photo Credit: Icon Sports Media


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8 comments


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Greg ShelleyGreg Shelley, over 3 years ago said:

Well, as I said, it is mostly a jest, yet, Will, it is funny you should mention Steinbrenner, because I have often admired his level of involvment, especially with his checkbook, always demonstrating the will to win it all and the desire to pay for it too. It doesn't always work out, but they seldom ever field a team that isn't at least capable of winning a championship, if not likely to.

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Will ReynoldsWill Reynolds, over 3 years ago said:

Hell, if I was an owner I would be hands on as well. It's my money!! Maybe not like a Jery Jones but more like a Steinbrenner...

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LukeLuke, over 3 years ago said:

I think that for an owner having a new coach, particularly one with no previous head coaching experience, and particularly after such a drastic change it's natural for the owner to get more involved. With Shanahan running the show for so long in Denver Bowlen probably felt comfortable with very little involvement. Now with McDaniels running the show, and particularly given the way McDaniels has handled himself thus far, Bowlen probably feels more pressure to involve himself with the team. After all, he does have hundreds of millions tied up in the team, it must be difficult to completely let someone else determine the way your money is put to use and the future of your franchise.

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GregGreg, over 3 years ago said:

Luke, the Pat Bowlen reference alludes to my angst over how the Broncos organization has handled things lately. Mr. Bowlen is a little too much involved in things now, much like his good friend Jerry Jones. It is mostly a jest though. Thanks!

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LukeLuke, over 3 years ago said:

I don't understand exactly what Pat Bowden has to do with anything, but you're right Jerry Jones is likely one of the main problems on his team. Of course TO was a major issue too, now that they got rid of him I expect the Cowboys to be a lot better.

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Greg ShelleyGreg Shelley, over 3 years ago said:

The talk about chemistry has me in a flashback to Jerry Jones last year talking about how unimportant it is. Oh, and then again when the season ended, how it suddenly became important again and T.O. became the #1 scapegoat. I would agree he had a little to do with it, but Jerry Jones is an antagonizing chemical element on the team too, and somehow he has spread all the way to Denver, infecting Bowlen.

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LukeLuke, over 3 years ago said:

I agree Heegos, however I do find it interesting that AJ you go on about chemistry, but then there's no talk about Cleveland switching QB's between 2006 and 2007 and 2008. If you put so much stock in the chemistry aspect (and that's not to say I don't) then why not have some sympathy for a wideout who doesn't know who his QB is gonna be from week to week?

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HeegosHeegos, over 3 years ago said:

I don't think chemistry has anything to do with the situation. People say "Chemistry breeds winning," but I think winning breeds chemistry. I think the reason the trade wasn't pulled off was because Edwards isn't that good. He's a good No. 2 guy, but he doesn't have the skill set to be a dominant top receiver. Cleveland wanted way too much for him. It's not like he's Anquan Boldin.