Initial Thoughts On Braylon EdwardsMy initial reaction to the Jets' acquisition of Braylon Edwards is mixed.
Edwards is obviously a talented player, but he's become a malcontent, and after allegedly assaulting a friend of Lebron James, was probably good as gone in Cleveland. It seems to me that in trading Chansi Stuckey, Jason Trusnik and two picks (reportedly a 3rd and 5th), Mike Tannebaum gave up too much for Edwards. The price, I think, would have been lower in a week or two.
It's not that the Jets don't need an upgrade at WR. They desperately do. And along with Jerricho Cotchery and Dustin Keller - not to mention more utilization of Leon Washington in the passing game - Edwards could make it a lot harder for teams to put seven or eight in the box and prevent the Jets from running the ball.
But how quickly will Edwards learn the offense and get into sync with Mark Sanchez?
Will getting rid of two players during the season - and exiling them to Eric Mangini's Browns - hurt team chemistry at all?
Consider also that Edwards is unsigned beyond this season and - cap or no cap - will demand a huge contract, and also that the Bills acquired their own supremely talented malcontent WR as a free agent, not having to give up any players, while the Patriots gave up just a 4th rounder for Randy Moss. Tannenbaum probably should have done a better job of addressing the WR situation during the offseason.
Then again, if your goal is a championship, sometimes you have to roll the dice and hope all the stars align. The way the Jets' defense is playing, adding a potential impact player on offense could make them a real contender.
posted on 10/07/2009
