OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third (cond. second), fifth

[Jimke]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

Braylon Edwards trade gives Jets the No. 1 receiver they lacked

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...#ixzz0TGQX44Vj
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In taking the Braylon Edwards problem off the Browns' hands Wednesday, the New York Jets have made another bold move to win now and win big in the AFC East in the first year of the Rex Ryan era.

Edwards is an undeniable talent at receiver, but Cleveland's 2005 first-round pick has had just one season so far (2007) that was worthy of his No. 3 overall draft slot. Whether or not New York can find a way to mine Edwards' potential is a calculated risk that at first glance doesn't appear to have a huge downside for the Jets.

In addition to shipping to Cleveland a pair of veteran players in slot receiver Chansi Stuckey and special teams player Jason Trusnik -- two players now headed from first to worst in the standings -- the first-place Jets (3-1) are sending the Browns a pair of draft picks believed to be in the range of the third or fourth round. That's not a huge price to pay for Edwards if New York can get him performing anywhere near the level of his 2007 breakthrough season, when he scored 16 touchdowns and hauled in 80 passes for 1,289 yards.

Edwards has been plagued by both dropped passes and off-field maturity issues since his Pro Bowl season of 2007, but the Jets believe they know his warts and can foster an atmosphere that brings out the best in the enigmatic former University of Michigan star. New York is counting on Edwards being happier away from the losing climate that prevailed in Cleveland, and the hope is that offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer can quickly mold a significant role for him, with rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez feeding him the ball and keeping him interested.

The knock on Edwards in Cleveland has been that he's not a player who lives and breaths the game as much as he enjoys the fame and lifestyle of an NFL star. Playing in the New York might only end up accentuating that pattern, but the Jets are counting on Edwards to work harder at his craft than he did in Cleveland, and to get on board with a winning program that could potentially showcase his receiving talents.

Edwards is only signed through 2009, but if there is no new collective bargaining agreement struck by next March, the Jets will retain his rights as a restricted free agent when the salary cap disappears in 2010 and the free agency rules change to preclude unrestricted movement until a player has six years in the league. Edwards is currently in his fifth year.

As for the 0-4 Browns, new head coach Eric Mangini continues to collect his ex-Jets players, getting two reliable performers in Stuckey and Trusnik. Stuckey is a resourceful and, at times, very productive slot receiver, and Trusnik is a quality special teams player and reserve linebacker who earlier this season contributed to New York's win over Tennessee with a key forced fumble and recovery on kick coverage.

For Cleveland, the rational to move Edwards was obvious: He had become a steady source of off-field controversy, and he certainly wasn't helping them win on the field, being held without a catch for the first time in his career in Sunday's overtime loss at home against Cincinnati. Mangini, no doubt, reasoned that his team would be better off with two quality role players and some future draft picks than an underachieving irritant who had clearly worn out his welcome in Cleveland.

The Jets have now potentially landed the No. 1 receiver their offense lacked, giving them another chip in their attempt to unseat AFC East power New England, where Randy Moss remains the division's most dominant receiver. New York has done so without granting Edwards a lucrative new contract or surrendering valuable first- or second-round picks in any future drafts. All things considered, the Jets see Edwards' upside -- he's 26 and has scored 25 touchdowns in his last three full seasons -- as a risk worth investing in that doesn't come at a premium price.

-Don Banks



The Jets have drafted very well the last 4 years (minus Gholston), they have many good young players at all the important positions, they don't need to stock pile picks like the patriots who've wiffed on many draft picks in recent years. If Edwards is the player from 2007, the Jets will be a very tough out.

The Jets have proved that trading down to get more draft picks is not
necessarily a good thing. They have traded up and obtained players
like Revis, Harris, Kellar, and Sanchez.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

Huge potential win here for the Jets if they can harness Edwards' immense talent and have him produce out on the field for them. If he doesn't, it's not a critical draft pick and/or player that it costs them.

That's why I don't like the deal for the Browns - very little upside. Edwards will either be an RFA or franchisable UFA at the end of the year, there was no reason to rush and trade him for slop other than the Terry Glenn factor. That worked for us, maybe it will work for them.

 

[Doggin94it]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

They are relying on a lot of older, expensive FA talent - particularly in the trenches. And not a lot of draft capital. Not to mention they blew it on some of their recent picks including an all important trench pick. And the couple they didn't blow will be squawking for their big paydays sooner than later. Sanchise got off to a hot start, but we've seen that before. Some sustain it, others inexplicably don't. Won't know what he is or may eventually be for at least another year. And if he does well he will be performing with a new OC come 2010 as Shotsie, Jr. will be off to the land of HC's leaving Fatso in the lurch since he didn't come with anything on the offense of his own...

Seriously? Tannenbaum's first rounders: Ferguson, Mangold, Revis, Gholston, Keller and Sanchez. Gholston is all but a bust, but the others are pure gold. Add in Harris, Washington, Eric Smith (who's actually been a player this year), Stuckey (a nice find in rd 7), Pouha, and some other miscellaneous picks (like Brad Smith and Eric Ainge), and Tanny's got himself a nice little drafting record. At the moment, his only real bad picks are Clemens (meh), Gholston and Anthony Schlegel.

As for "mortgaging the future", the Jets are young at LT, C, WR, RB (Washington and Greene), QB, TE, CB, S and LB. Age is a problem at LG and RT, and along the DL. And resigning all these players (or replacing them with FAs or draftees) will be a challenge. But Tannenbaum's already shown himself to be very good at maneuvering under the cap - and that's assuming there's going to continue to be a cap (which I hope there is). So I wouldn't be spending too much time relying on the "Jets will fall apart soon" dream.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

Seriously? Tannenbaum's first rounders: Ferguson, Mangold, Revis, Gholston, Keller and Sanchez. Gholston is all but a bust, but the others are pure gold. Add in Harris, Washington, Eric Smith (who's actually been a player this year), Stuckey (a nice find in rd 7), Pouha, and some other miscellaneous picks (like Brad Smith and Eric Ainge), and Tanny's got himself a nice little drafting record. At the moment, his only real bad picks are Clemens (meh), Gholston and Anthony Schlegel.

As for "mortgaging the future", the Jets are young at LT, C, WR, RB (Washington and Greene), QB, TE, CB, S and LB. Age is a problem at LG and RT, and along the DL. And resigning all these players (or replacing them with FAs or draftees) will be a challenge. But Tannenbaum's already shown himself to be very good at maneuvering under the cap - and that's assuming there's going to continue to be a cap (which I hope there is). So I wouldn't be spending too much time relying on the "Jets will fall apart soon" dream.

When you make the claim that Ferguson has been "pure gold", you lose all credibility.

 

[Doggin94it]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

When you make the claim that Ferguson has been "pure gold", you lose all credibility.

OK then.

He's had some bad games (last week was one), but in general, he's been a terrific pass blocker, which is what you want from your LT. I'd rather have drafted Ngata in that spot (and that's not hindsight - I was saying it before the draft) but Brick has been very good, definitely worth his draft slot in and of himself.

 

[Little Big Head]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

When you make the claim that Ferguson has been "pure gold", you lose all credibility.

Ferguson has developed into an outstanding LT. You need to pay better attention

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

Ferguson has developed into an outstanding LT. You need to pay better attention

Thanks for the comedy.

 

[mayoclinic]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

Ferguson has developed into an outstanding LT. You need to pay better attention

Ferguson is a good LT at this point. Not outstanding, but certainly good. Don't get carried away with hyperbole. Heck, the Ravens fans posting on this board would have had us believe that Jared Gaither was the second coming of Jonathan Ogden last week.

Ferguson started out shaky, and was clearly outshined by Mangold his first 2 seasons. He started to come on last year. And he's been very solid since then - not up to what you would hope for from a top 10 pick, but certainly not a bust. I think that "pure gold" is an overstatement, but definitely a solid player. That hyped up 2006 top 10 had its share of disappointments - none of Bush (1), Young (3), Ferguson (4), Hawk (5), Davis (6), Huff (7) and Leinhart (10) have really played up to what people expected form them.

 

[mgteich]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

Did you oppose the patriots giving up a 3rd and 5th for a player who might help us the pass rush this year?

Seriously, the hets gave up a bit to improve their 2009 playoff and SB chances. I don't see that giving up a future 3rd and 5th firth is a big deal.

That's why I don't like the deal for the Browns - very little upside. Edwards will either be an RFA or franchisable UFA at the end of the year, there was no reason to rush and trade him for slop other than the Terry Glenn factor. That worked for us, maybe it will work for them.

 

[ALP]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

jets fans loved chansi....


if braylon doesnt pick up the game plan, this move would be disastorous for the jets....

 

[gmtaxi27]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

Great move for the Jets, but I'm still not too worried about their offense. I more worried they are getting Calvin Pace back. The defense looked sick without him. Now you add their best pass rusher to the mix, this defense can be very scary.

Good timing for the Jets being they are playing Miami. Pace ate Long for lunch last year.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

In regards to Edwards's legal troubles at worst he will most likely reach a settlement. he punched the guy, its not like he broke something like his jaw *cough*tomcable*cough*

The Jets wouldn't add him if he was at risk of being suspended for lengthy amount of time, lets say at worst he was suspended for 2 weeks, it would take him that long to move to NY and know the playbook anyway.

This was a great deal for the Jets and honestly a terrible one for the browns. Stuckey is not a good a reciever as he gets credit for, hes crafty but doesn't have enough to speed to create separation, and this is a huge problem for a rookie qb who needs some wiggle room with his passes, Sanchez doesnt have the maturity yet to hit those small windows that avg or below avg is stuck with giving him. Trusnik is a non factor and his loss wont affect the Jets in the slightest, and the loss of lower draft picks wont affect them that much in the near future.


Ive been hearing alot about the dropped balls, but lets not forget this guy caught 16 touchdown passes in 2007, and has been stuck on a horrendous browns team. Braylon Edwards is probably ecstatic over going to the jets, leaving the browns is like escaping the titanic at this point.

Edwards's presence on the jets will have a huge impact, when a young QB has a security blanket it helps his growing process in a big way, just look at eli with plaxico who was his safety valve in pressure situations. Edwards also stops defenses from stacking 8 in the box, and forces them to respect the passing attack. Jerricho Cotchery the jets former #1 WR is 5th in the league in passing yards, imagine how much more effective he will be returning as the #2 guy, when he will get matched up in 1 on 1 coverage rather than a possible double team he would face as the #1. Keller and Cotchery will be making more plays as a result, the running game will improve by making defenses respect the pass more, and sanchez will have a good wr to help him have success as a rookie.

I guarantee edwards shapes up in NY, he is leaving an organization that has been nothing but horrendous the past few years, he jumps from one of the worst teams in the league to a serious contender. He is leaving a coach who runs his team like an army platoon and going to a coach that lets the inmates run the asylum. for Edwards its like going from prison to disneyworld.

in short, great deal for the jets.
Terrible deal for the browns.
and a very happy braylon edwards.

He already bombed out in disney world with RAC and Savage. Braylon can make all the catches until it's the one catch you need. He and Winslow may be as much QB killers as Cleveland's QB's have been inigmas. As the league catches up to Sanchise he's going to need football players and overachievers surrounding him, not prima donnas who will not be accountable and who tend to check out when they are decoys. This has mild overtones of TO and Romo...only it likely won't last as long because Braylon isn't going to hang around for a RFA tender in 2010 and if he gets his big deal the team and the town may not be big enough for his personality. Let alone if the Nets or Knicks land his nemisis, Labron.

 

[shmessy]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

Did you oppose the patriots giving up a 3rd and 5th for a player who might help us the pass rush this year?

Seriously, the hets gave up a bit to improve their 2009 playoff and SB chances. I don't see that giving up a future 3rd and 5th firth is a big deal.

Four points make that different:

1) The Jets also gave up two current roster players, one of whom is a productive WR and the other is a solid ST'er. They gave up more than the Patriots gave for Burgess. It wasn't the same thing.

2) Burgess was acquired several weeks before the regular season and is still not 100% in sync with the playbook. Edwards is a WR who needs to get timing down with a new QB, learn a new offense and who arrives in week 5.

3)Burgess is only required to be a complementary niche/piece of the defense. The Jets are looking for "The Man" for their offense.

4) The Pats gave up a 3rd and 5th because they have a 1st and THREE 2nds in the next draft. The Jets have a 1st and ONE second....and then zippo until the 6th.


The comparison is not even close.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

That's why I don't like the deal for the Browns - very little upside. Edwards will either be an RFA or franchisable UFA at the end of the year, there was no reason to rush and trade him for slop other than the Terry Glenn factor. That worked for us, maybe it will work for them.

Did you oppose the patriots giving up a 3rd and 5th for a player who might help us the pass rush this year?

Seriously, the hets gave up a bit to improve their 2009 playoff and SB chances. I don't see that giving up a future 3rd and 5th firth is a big deal.

Not sure what your point is. I quoted myself for reference, I like the trade for the Jets, not for the Browns. I think you may have misunderstood what I said.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

If Ryan's tough guy attitude rubs off on Edwards, he could become something special. If Edwards continues to have the heart and passion of flea, then he will be a bust in New York.

 

[mgteich]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

My bad.

I misread your post.

Not sure what your point is. I quoted myself for reference, I like the trade for the Jets, not for the Browns. I think you may have misunderstood what I said.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

Seriously? Tannenbaum's first rounders: Ferguson, Mangold, Revis, Gholston, Keller and Sanchez. Gholston is all but a bust, but the others are pure gold. Add in Harris, Washington, Eric Smith (who's actually been a player this year), Stuckey (a nice find in rd 7), Pouha, and some other miscellaneous picks (like Brad Smith and Eric Ainge), and Tanny's got himself a nice little drafting record. At the moment, his only real bad picks are Clemens (meh), Gholston and Anthony Schlegel.

As for "mortgaging the future", the Jets are young at LT, C, WR, RB (Washington and Greene), QB, TE, CB, S and LB. Age is a problem at LG and RT, and along the DL. And resigning all these players (or replacing them with FAs or draftees) will be a challenge. But Tannenbaum's already shown himself to be very good at maneuvering under the cap - and that's assuming there's going to continue to be a cap (which I hope there is). So I wouldn't be spending too much time relying on the "Jets will fall apart soon" dream.

Ferguson is an average LT and where he was taken makes him a disapointment. Keller is good, but I think Jets fans overrated him. Mangold and Revis are great first round picks. Too early to tell with Sanchez although it looks promising, but he still may not reach top 5 status.

As for the mortgaging the future, the age of the players aren't the problem it is the future cap hits. The Jets have signed a lot of big deals in the last 2-3 years for both free agents and high draft picks. This past year, they pushed back about $20-30 million in bonuses by converting them into signing bonuses. If the new CBA slows the cap growth as expected, the Jets could be in serious trouble in two years. Guys like Harris and Mangold are free agents after next season and will demand top dollars at their position. Braylon Edwards is a free agent after this season. Shaun Ellis is a free agent after next year. Vernon Gholston is virtually uncutable until 2012 since it will cost more to cut him than keep him. Unless Calvin Pace turns into a stud in this new system, his cap number is high for what he is. Kris Jenkins' contract jumps significantly after 2010 and he will be 32 at that point and with his conditioning and injury history could make a major slide.

 

[mgteich]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

I guess that I didn't understand that we gave up a 3rd and 5th because we had excess 2010 draft picks. I thought that the trade was about value.

The jets think that Edwards is a serious upgrade from the productive receiver that seems to be your binky. I agree.

Of course, the bottom line is that I would prefer that the trade not have been made since thae jets are now a stronger team. And, yes, it may take Edwards awhile to be in sych with Sanchez, but the jets (as the patriots) are trying to build up the team for the playoffs.

Four points make that different:

1) The Jets also gave up two current roster players, one of whom is a productive WR and the other is a solid ST'er. They gave up more than the Patriots gave for Burgess. It wasn't the same thing.

2) Burgess was acquired several weeks before the regular season and is still not 100% in sync with the playbook. Edwards is a WR who needs to get timing down with a new QB, learn a new offense and who arrives in week 5.

3)Burgess is only required to be a complementary niche/piece of the defense. The Jets are looking for "The Man" for their offense.

4) The Pats gave up a 3rd and 5th because they have a 1st and THREE 2nds in the next draft. The Jets have a 1st and ONE second....and then zippo until the 6th.


The comparison is not even close.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

Ferguson has developed into an outstanding LT. You need to pay better attention

Apparently the standards are pretty low in NY. I know the Jets talked him up in the preseason as this being the year he would become an elite LT, but he hasn't lived up to the hype. In fact, I would say the o-line as a whole for the Jets so far this year is not nearly as good as their hype. Their run blocking has not been great including Ferguson and the pass blocking has been good, but not great.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Re: OT: Braylon Edwards to the Jets for 2 players, third, fifth

Trying to think of a trade to compare this to, and the closest that I can come up with are the trades that the Chargers made mid-year over the years to try to bolster their WR corps, most notably chris chambers a couple of years ago. I see this one playing out somewhat similarly- it will absolutely help the Jets and I buy that Braylon is much better than Stuckey. I'm just not sure that it will give them what all the fans and pundits seem to think it will- much like the Chambers trade to san diego. WRs can rarely step in and be productive from day one with a new quarterback and a new offense. There are certainly guys that can, but those are the smart, savvy, hard-working types, aka the opposite of Braylon Edwards.