Braylon to Giants? (1 Viewer)

Unsure of Plaxico Burress' availability for the 2009 season, the Giants attempted to replace him with Cleveland's Braylon Edwards.

Giants GM Jerry Reese inquired about the Browns' 26-year-old receiver at the NFL scouting combine last month, a league source confirmed, and Reese hasn't ruled out pursuing him again. Cleveland Browns GM George Kokinis confirmed to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer that the Giants have asked about Edwards, but said the talks didn't get very far.

"We exchanged ideas about everything, but nothing really culminated into specifics," Kokinis said at the NFL owners meetings in Dana Point, Calif. "I'm excited to have Braylon on this team. He brings a dimension that not a lot of receivers can bring in relation to going up and attacking the football. He had extremely good production a couple years ago and we're anticipating he has that this year."

According to a report in The Giant Insider, the talks went a little further than Kokinis let on. The report said the Giants offered the two picks they acquired in the Jeremy Shockey trade last July - a second- and a fifth-rounder. The Browns asked for those picks plus receiver Steve Smith. Then the Giants countered with either receiver Domenik Hixon or receiver Mario Manningham.

The Browns said no to that, according to the report, and the talks died.

Reese declined to comment on the Giants' interest in Edwards. Asked specifically about that report, he said, "I have no idea what you are talking about."

Edwards (6-3, 215) would give the Giants the big receiver they lack without Burress. He's also just one year removed from an incredible season - 80 catches for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2007. His numbers dipped to 55 catches, 873 yards and three touchdowns last year. He also led the NFL with 16 drops.

Edwards is scheduled to make $4.55 million in 2009, which is the final year of his contract. If a new collective bargaining agreement is not signed by next March, Edwards would be a restricted free agent next year and his team would only have to offer him $5,005,000 to keep his rights.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football...iants_eyes.html

Reese is contradicting himself, (FWIW)everyone I talk to says something's up.

Kokinis seems to be too.

Surprised Steve Smith was a sticking point if true.

I'd like to know how they plan to stop Braylon for sucking so bad! I really thought this guy was spectacular until his meltdown last year. Has anyone ever dropped more key passes? I wish they would go after Boldin.

Interesting that both franchises placed a value on Steve Smith in these discussions...one team that wanted him and the other didn't want to give him up.

Faust said:

Interesting that both franchises placed a value on Steve Smith in these discussions...one team that wanted him and the other didn't want to give him up.

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same thing Happened to Osi, SD wanted him included in the Eli/Rivers/Merriman deal but NYG didnt want to move him.

As a Giants fan, I'm so glad this didn't happen. I rather pursue a wide receiver that can catch like Anquan Boldin. I wouldn't give out 2nd away for Braylon right now, he's still too inconsistent. IMO Steve Smith has better hands, sure he lacks Braylon's playmaking skills but you have to catch the ball first, and that's clearly the problem. On the flip side though if the Cardinals said they wanted the 2nd, 5th and Smith... it's hard to say I wouldn't want them to pull the trigger on that one.

Mikey16x said:

As a Giants fan, I'm so glad this didn't happen. I rather pursue a wide receiver that can catch like Anquan Boldin. I wouldn't give out 2nd away for Braylon right now, he's still too inconsistent. IMO Steve Smith has better hands, sure he lacks Braylon's playmaking skills but you have to catch the ball first, and that's clearly the problem. On the flip side though if the Cardinals said they wanted the 2nd, 5th and Smith... it's hard to say I wouldn't want them to pull the trigger on that one.

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I think Braylon would be an excellet fit for NYG. He had a bad year, tons of top end WR (TO) have had similar issues to the case of the drops braylon had last year. Look at his 2007 numbers again. While I think the 2 and 5 should have been enough, the Lions got a 1 and 3 for Roy. I think Braylon >>> Roy.Boldin would be great for NYG too. Steve Smith strikes me as nothing more than a young verison of Toomer, a solid possesion type WR.

bicycle_seat_sniffer said:

Mikey16x said:

As a Giants fan, I'm so glad this didn't happen. I rather pursue a wide receiver that can catch like Anquan Boldin. I wouldn't give out 2nd away for Braylon right now, he's still too inconsistent. IMO Steve Smith has better hands, sure he lacks Braylon's playmaking skills but you have to catch the ball first, and that's clearly the problem. On the flip side though if the Cardinals said they wanted the 2nd, 5th and Smith... it's hard to say I wouldn't want them to pull the trigger on that one.

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I think Braylon would be an excellet fit for NYG. He had a bad year, tons of top end WR (TO) have had similar issues to the case of the drops braylon had last year. Look at his 2007 numbers again.

While I think the 2 and 5 should have been enough, the Lions got a 1 and 3 for Roy. I think Braylon >>> Roy.

Boldin would be great for NYG too.

Steve Smith strikes me as nothing more than a young verison of Toomer, a solid possesion type WR.

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Which is exactly what Eli needs on the other side from Plax (or possibly Edwards)Smith has made a lot of key 3rd down catches and seems to have a good deal of trust from Eli, probably why the Giants didn't want him gone in the deal.

ESPN Insider reporting that the Eagles have jumped in on the Braylon talk as well.

Smith owner here and loving it. Seems like he's due an increased role no matter how this shakes out.

Isn't Edwards an ideal "buy low" right now—both in the NFL and fantasy?

Trey said:

ESPN Insider reporting that the Eagles have jumped in on the Braylon talk as well.

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Would be great to see Braylon dropping McNabb's underthrown balls.

Ed Wood said:

Smith owner here and loving it. Seems like he's due an increased role no matter how this shakes out.Isn't Edwards an ideal "buy low" right now—both in the NFL and fantasy?

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Sure, assuming that he can bounce back.I like Braylon a lot, and have a rooting interest in him, he's on some money teams of mine.But if the Browns are trading 2008 Braylon, then they are getting a steal from whoever trades with them. He was awful last year.He's played four years, one of which produced #1 numbers. He has an expiring contract, and showed a little WR prima donna dooshiness last year, with his bizarre complaint that CLE fans didn't like him because he went to Michigan.If I was talking to Cleveland, any deal would hinge on getting an extension with Braylon, or making the pick conditional, depending on if Braylon re-signed. Two draft picks and a young wideout seems like a steep price for a guy that may oonly be there for a year, and whose main skill last year was dropping TD passes.

The_Fonz said:

I'd like to know how they plan to stop Braylon for sucking so bad! I really thought this guy was spectacular until his meltdown last year. Has anyone ever dropped more key passes? I wish they would go after Boldin.

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if you´re a Giants fan, you will remember Tiki´s ¨fumbling¨ problem. Coughlin was able to correct it. A good coaching staff can do that.

Trey said:

ESPN Insider reporting that the Eagles have jumped in on the Braylon talk as well.

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It sure seems like the Eagles jump in all talks.

After what I saw of Edwards last year I wouldn't give up Hixon for him. The guy looked like he lost all confidence.

Mr. Brownstone said:

Trey said:

ESPN Insider reporting that the Eagles have jumped in on the Braylon talk as well.

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It sure seems like the Eagles jump in all talks.

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and usually come away empty-handed.

Sweet Love said:

Mr. Brownstone said:

Trey said:

ESPN Insider reporting that the Eagles have jumped in on the Braylon talk as well.

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It sure seems like the Eagles jump in all talks.

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and usually come away empty-handed.

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In this case it would not be a bad thing as Edwards often comes up empty handed after perfect throws. The guy is a pass dropping machine.

Yenrub said:

bicycle_seat_sniffer said:

Mikey16x said:

As a Giants fan, I'm so glad this didn't happen. I rather pursue a wide receiver that can catch like Anquan Boldin. I wouldn't give out 2nd away for Braylon right now, he's still too inconsistent. IMO Steve Smith has better hands, sure he lacks Braylon's playmaking skills but you have to catch the ball first, and that's clearly the problem. On the flip side though if the Cardinals said they wanted the 2nd, 5th and Smith... it's hard to say I wouldn't want them to pull the trigger on that one.

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I think Braylon would be an excellet fit for NYG. He had a bad year, tons of top end WR (TO) have had similar issues to the case of the drops braylon had last year. Look at his 2007 numbers again.

While I think the 2 and 5 should have been enough, the Lions got a 1 and 3 for Roy. I think Braylon >>> Roy.

Boldin would be great for NYG too.

Steve Smith strikes me as nothing more than a young verison of Toomer, a solid possesion type WR.

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Which is exactly what Eli needs on the other side from Plax (or possibly Edwards)Smith has made a lot of key 3rd down catches and seems to have a good deal of trust from Eli, probably why the Giants didn't want him gone in the deal.

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I think Smith caught something like 70% of the balls thrown his way, many on 3rd down. I don't think we'll ever see WR1 fantasy numbers from the guy, but he is an important part of the Giants offense.

Bri said:

According to a report in The Giant Insider, the talks went a little further than Kokinis let on. The report said the Giants offered the two picks they acquired in the Jeremy Shockey trade last July - a second- and a fifth-rounder. The Browns asked for those picks plus receiver Steve Smith. Then the Giants countered with either receiver Domenik Hixon or receiver Mario Manningham.

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As an update to the rumor, according to Mike Garafolo, a pretty reliable source on all things Giants, New York Giants didn't offer Cleveland Browns players for Braylon Edwards

Scout.com reported over the weekend the Giants had offered Mario Manningham or Domenik Hixon after denying the Browns' request for Steve Smith. The person familiar with the talks said that was not the case.

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bicycle_seat_sniffer said:

Steve Smith strikes me as nothing more than a young verison of Toomer, a solid possesion type WR.

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He has a Bobby Engram-esque career written all over him, which is fantastic in the real world, maybe not so in fantasy (apart from certain situations).

chook said:

bicycle_seat_sniffer said:

Steve Smith strikes me as nothing more than a young verison of Toomer, a solid possesion type WR.

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He has a Bobby Engram-esque career written all over him, which is fantastic in the real world, maybe not so in fantasy (apart from certain situations).

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TJ Houshmanzadeh and Marvin Harrison are possession guys, as is Hines Ward.I like Smith's position, fantasy-wise. As it stands he is the most reliable option for a talented QB on a good team. he's got a great WR across from him that might be doing jail time, and ain't that reliable even before he puts holes in himself.He may very well be Toomer or Engram, but I know I haven't seen enough of him to make that call. I think people are going by scouting reports from college. And that's fine, but he seems to have the talent to already be the rumored deal-breaker in a Braylon deal, and had the two guys starting in front of him out of the picture.This is exactly the kind of guy you go after in dynasty leagues. Before the hype starts.

I've followed Smith fairly closely since drafting him a couple of years ago after reading so much about his safe hands. And while he is indeed an integral part of the Giants' offense with his noted third down receiving skills, I've also seen him drop some absolute sodas when he's beaten his man - a couple when a TD looked a certainty.

I know it happens to most guys and he's only been around for two years, but something in my gut tells me he just mightn't ever cut it as a legit fantasy starter while in NY.

I think even if the Eagles don't get him, it behooved them to jump in and raise the price on the Giants.

Domination said:

I think even if the Eagles don't get him, it behooved them to jump in and raise the price on the Giants.

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Considering the Giants weren't interested in the price the Browns wanted initially, I don't see how raising that price further would make any difference.

Mikey16x said:

As a Giants fan, I'm so glad this didn't happen. I rather pursue a wide receiver that can catch like Anquan Boldin. I wouldn't give out 2nd away for Braylon right now, he's still too inconsistent. IMO Steve Smith has better hands, sure he lacks Braylon's playmaking skills but you have to catch the ball first, and that's clearly the problem. On the flip side though if the Cardinals said they wanted the 2nd, 5th and Smith... it's hard to say I wouldn't want them to pull the trigger on that one.

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As a Giants fan, I understand where you're coming from, but Braylon has already proven that he can be a stud WR..he can completely dominate the oposition, and take over games at times. He's the real-deal.The Browns fell apart last season, and nobody knows what kind of problems were playing out in the locker room..Apparently it was bad enough to send Winslow packing, bad enough that the Brownies are considering deailing away their best player..

Let's be honest, you'd probably be a disgruntled employee if you worked for the Brownies, just like the rest of these guys are..we'd all be disgruntled..

they started the year 0-3, won 2 games in a row, and then lost 9 of their next 11 games...I mean, seriously, you'd be upset too..Edwards probably just gave up.I know its unprofessional and all that, but this was supposed to have been their year, they were pre-season darlings...people were saying the `Browns are back`...

Edwards is young, and can single-handedly take over a football game...Steve Smith is not going to become another Wes Welker in Cleveland ( if traded), he's your below-average 3rd/4th WR ...

I'd throw the kitchen sick at Cleveland and get him at any cost

Tanner9919 said:

Mikey16x said:

As a Giants fan, I'm so glad this didn't happen. I rather pursue a wide receiver that can catch like Anquan Boldin. I wouldn't give out 2nd away for Braylon right now, he's still too inconsistent. IMO Steve Smith has better hands, sure he lacks Braylon's playmaking skills but you have to catch the ball first, and that's clearly the problem. On the flip side though if the Cardinals said they wanted the 2nd, 5th and Smith... it's hard to say I wouldn't want them to pull the trigger on that one.

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As a Giants fan, I understand where you're coming from, but Braylon has already proven that he can be a stud WR..he can completely dominate the oposition, and take over games at times. He's the real-deal.The Browns fell apart last season, and nobody knows what kind of problems were playing out in the locker room..Apparently it was bad enough to send Winslow packing, bad enough that the Brownies are considering deailing away their best player..

Let's be honest, you'd probably be a disgruntled employee if you worked for the Brownies, just like the rest of these guys are..we'd all be disgruntled..

they started the year 0-3, won 2 games in a row, and then lost 9 of their next 11 games...I mean, seriously, you'd be upset too..Edwards probably just gave up.I know its unprofessional and all that, but this was supposed to have been their year, they were pre-season darlings...people were saying the `Browns are back`...

Edwards is young, and can single-handedly take over a football game...Steve Smith is not going to become another Wes Welker in Cleveland ( if traded), he's your below-average 3rd/4th WR ...

I'd throw the kitchen sick at Cleveland and get him at any cost

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I sure hope this isn't a Jerry Reese alias

Tanner9919 said:

Mikey16x said:

As a Giants fan, I'm so glad this didn't happen. I rather pursue a wide receiver that can catch like Anquan Boldin. I wouldn't give out 2nd away for Braylon right now, he's still too inconsistent. IMO Steve Smith has better hands, sure he lacks Braylon's playmaking skills but you have to catch the ball first, and that's clearly the problem. On the flip side though if the Cardinals said they wanted the 2nd, 5th and Smith... it's hard to say I wouldn't want them to pull the trigger on that one.

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As a Giants fan, I understand where you're coming from, but Braylon has already proven that he can be a stud WR..he can completely dominate the oposition, and take over games at times. He's the real-deal.The Browns fell apart last season, and nobody knows what kind of problems were playing out in the locker room..Apparently it was bad enough to send Winslow packing, bad enough that the Brownies are considering deailing away their best player..

Let's be honest, you'd probably be a disgruntled employee if you worked for the Brownies, just like the rest of these guys are..we'd all be disgruntled..

they started the year 0-3, won 2 games in a row, and then lost 9 of their next 11 games...I mean, seriously, you'd be upset too..Edwards probably just gave up.I know its unprofessional and all that, but this was supposed to have been their year, they were pre-season darlings...people were saying the `Browns are back`...

Edwards is young, and can single-handedly take over a football game...Steve Smith is not going to become another Wes Welker in Cleveland ( if traded), he's your below-average 3rd/4th WR ...

I'd throw the kitchen sick at Cleveland and get him at any cost

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Don't you think that you are a little quick to give a guy a mulligan for an entire season of sucking?I'm a Braylon fan as well, but "At any cost" is strong for a guy entering the last year of his deal, dropped passes (important ones too) at an alarming rate, and then accused the fans of turning on him because of where he went to college.

The scary thing about Braylon is that his 2008 was as bad as his 2007 was awesome. Making a big trade for a guy like that, and then maybe only having him for a year, seems like a big gamble.

Tanner9919 said:

Mikey16x said:

As a Giants fan, I'm so glad this didn't happen. I rather pursue a wide receiver that can catch like Anquan Boldin. I wouldn't give out 2nd away for Braylon right now, he's still too inconsistent. IMO Steve Smith has better hands, sure he lacks Braylon's playmaking skills but you have to catch the ball first, and that's clearly the problem. On the flip side though if the Cardinals said they wanted the 2nd, 5th and Smith... it's hard to say I wouldn't want them to pull the trigger on that one.

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As a Giants fan, I understand where you're coming from, but Braylon has already proven that he can be a stud WR..he can completely dominate the oposition, and take over games at times. He's the real-deal.The Browns fell apart last season, and nobody knows what kind of problems were playing out in the locker room..Apparently it was bad enough to send Winslow packing, bad enough that the Brownies are considering deailing away their best player..

Let's be honest, you'd probably be a disgruntled employee if you worked for the Brownies, just like the rest of these guys are..we'd all be disgruntled..

they started the year 0-3, won 2 games in a row, and then lost 9 of their next 11 games...I mean, seriously, you'd be upset too..Edwards probably just gave up.I know its unprofessional and all that, but this was supposed to have been their year, they were pre-season darlings...people were saying the `Browns are back`...

Edwards is young, and can single-handedly take over a football game...Steve Smith is not going to become another Wes Welker in Cleveland ( if traded), he's your below-average 3rd/4th WR ...

I'd throw the kitchen sick at Cleveland and get him at any cost

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Edwards is a good player, but all I'm saying that price I'm pretty sure we would be able to land better. I think you totally underestimate Steve Smith's value on this offense, he's Eli Mannings safety valve. If you didn't notice Toomer's receptions have gone down significantly since Smith joined the Giants and he's able to line up all over the field and make those clutch 3rd down conversions. Sorry but Braylon is not worth a 2 good picks and Smith. Like I said, for that price I'm almost positive that we can get better, like a Boldin, Roddy White, Colston, Marshall.

massraider said:

Tanner9919 said:

Mikey16x said:

As a Giants fan, I'm so glad this didn't happen. I rather pursue a wide receiver that can catch like Anquan Boldin. I wouldn't give out 2nd away for Braylon right now, he's still too inconsistent. IMO Steve Smith has better hands, sure he lacks Braylon's playmaking skills but you have to catch the ball first, and that's clearly the problem. On the flip side though if the Cardinals said they wanted the 2nd, 5th and Smith... it's hard to say I wouldn't want them to pull the trigger on that one.

Click to expand...

As a Giants fan, I understand where you're coming from, but Braylon has already proven that he can be a stud WR..he can completely dominate the oposition, and take over games at times. He's the real-deal.The Browns fell apart last season, and nobody knows what kind of problems were playing out in the locker room..Apparently it was bad enough to send Winslow packing, bad enough that the Brownies are considering deailing away their best player..

Let's be honest, you'd probably be a disgruntled employee if you worked for the Brownies, just like the rest of these guys are..we'd all be disgruntled..

they started the year 0-3, won 2 games in a row, and then lost 9 of their next 11 games...I mean, seriously, you'd be upset too..Edwards probably just gave up.I know its unprofessional and all that, but this was supposed to have been their year, they were pre-season darlings...people were saying the `Browns are back`...

Edwards is young, and can single-handedly take over a football game...Steve Smith is not going to become another Wes Welker in Cleveland ( if traded), he's your below-average 3rd/4th WR ...

I'd throw the kitchen sick at Cleveland and get him at any cost

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Don't you think that you are a little quick to give a guy a mulligan for an entire season of sucking?

I'm a Braylon fan as well, but "At any cost" is strong for a guy entering the last year of his deal, dropped passes (important ones too) at an alarming rate, and then accused the fans of turning on him because of where he went to college.

The scary thing about Braylon is that his 2008 was as bad as his 2007 was awesome. Making a big trade for a guy like that, and then maybe only having him for a year, seems like a big gamble.

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Think back to Randy Moss' years in Oakland. Not that Edwards is on his level, but WR's are head cases a lot of the time and don't perform well under poor circumstances. TO had a really off year in 1999 when the 49ers were terrible but bounced for a monster year in 2000. I can see Edwards doing the same thing if he goes to a team like the Giants.

cstu said:

massraider said:

Tanner9919 said:

Mikey16x said:

As a Giants fan, I'm so glad this didn't happen. I rather pursue a wide receiver that can catch like Anquan Boldin. I wouldn't give out 2nd away for Braylon right now, he's still too inconsistent. IMO Steve Smith has better hands, sure he lacks Braylon's playmaking skills but you have to catch the ball first, and that's clearly the problem. On the flip side though if the Cardinals said they wanted the 2nd, 5th and Smith... it's hard to say I wouldn't want them to pull the trigger on that one.

Click to expand...

As a Giants fan, I understand where you're coming from, but Braylon has already proven that he can be a stud WR..he can completely dominate the oposition, and take over games at times. He's the real-deal.The Browns fell apart last season, and nobody knows what kind of problems were playing out in the locker room..Apparently it was bad enough to send Winslow packing, bad enough that the Brownies are considering deailing away their best player..

Let's be honest, you'd probably be a disgruntled employee if you worked for the Brownies, just like the rest of these guys are..we'd all be disgruntled..

they started the year 0-3, won 2 games in a row, and then lost 9 of their next 11 games...I mean, seriously, you'd be upset too..Edwards probably just gave up.I know its unprofessional and all that, but this was supposed to have been their year, they were pre-season darlings...people were saying the `Browns are back`...

Edwards is young, and can single-handedly take over a football game...Steve Smith is not going to become another Wes Welker in Cleveland ( if traded), he's your below-average 3rd/4th WR ...

I'd throw the kitchen sick at Cleveland and get him at any cost

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Don't you think that you are a little quick to give a guy a mulligan for an entire season of sucking?

I'm a Braylon fan as well, but "At any cost" is strong for a guy entering the last year of his deal, dropped passes (important ones too) at an alarming rate, and then accused the fans of turning on him because of where he went to college.

The scary thing about Braylon is that his 2008 was as bad as his 2007 was awesome. Making a big trade for a guy like that, and then maybe only having him for a year, seems like a big gamble.

Click to expand...

Think back to Randy Moss' years in Oakland. Not that Edwards is on his level, but WR's are head cases a lot of the time and don't perform well under poor circumstances. TO had a really off year in 1999 when the 49ers were terrible but bounced for a monster year in 2000. I can see Edwards doing the same thing if he goes to a team like the Giants.

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I can see it too. And I am a Braylon fan. Last year shocked the crap out of me. And I am willing to believe a change of scenery would help. I just picked him up in a salary cap league, and bid three times more than anyone else. I'd be surprised if he was Michael Clayton.

I was just taking issue with the "at any cost" statement. In addition to his horrible year, and two years of dropped passes, and attitude problems that seem to be cropping up, he has only one year left on his deal. Which might be the biggest problem, to me.

This situation screams "conditional pick" to me. if Braylon re-ups, the Browns get another draft pick.