Braylon Still Possibly Going To The Big Apple? Posted by Mike Florio on May 4, 2009, 1:02 p.m. http://www.profootballtalk.com/category/rumor-mill/ In the days and weeks preceding the 2009 draft, there were many rumors and reports linking Browns receiver Braylon Edwards to the New York Giants. In the end, the Giants opted to address the void created by the release of receiver Plaxico Burress by drafting wideout Hakeem Nicks. But Edwards still might end up in New York. Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer recently floated the possibility of the Browns sending Braylon to the Jets in a trade that would reunite running back Thomas Jones with Browns coach Eric Mangini. The disclosure came in response to a reader question regarding the possibility of the Jets cutting Jones, who is skipping offseason workouts apparently due to displeasure with his contract. ?Rex Ryan knows that Mangini would scoop up Jones in a New York second if Jones were released,? Grossi writes. ?More likely is a future trade involving Jones and, yes, Edwards. You heard it here first.? The move would make plenty of sense, for both teams. The Jets haven?t replaced receiver Laveranues Coles, and they traded up to the top of round three to get running back Shonn Greene, who could be paired with tailback Leon Washington. And since the Browns could use help in the backfield and have been beefing up their passing game with second-rounders like Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, an Edwards-for-Jones swap would improve the Browns right away ? if either of the rookie receivers can fill the void created by Edwards? departure. The challenge, in our view, will be for the Browns to get something more from the Jets in addition to Jones. And that?s where the action would be on any such transaction, regardless of whether the Browns want yet another of Mangini?s former pupils or whether they want one or more 2010 draft picks.
Edwards is a better fit for this offense. Tall fast deep threat as opposed to Boldin who is a possession YAC receiver. We already have one of those in Cotchery.
Dropped passes are not fixed like a players height, those CAN be corrected. IF, and I'm acknowledging that this is a big IF... if Edwards can fix his dropped pass problem, then he can end up being a better receiver than Boldin, and a better long term solution for the Jets.
I think the only way the Jets should be this is if they trade Jones for Edwards straight up. While Edwards is considerably younger, he drops too many passes. Not too mention Jones lead the entire AFC in rushing last year, rushing for over 1300 yards with 13 TDs. If Mangini wants his guy so bad, there's no reason to add any more incentives to the deal. He will have to suck it up and take what most people would call a lopsided trade IMO.
I think a new team and Ryan as head coach would energize him..dropping balls can be coached, his size, speed, insane body control, and natural ability cannot. Bring Braylon to New York.
The problem is Braylon wants 10 mill a season.. and A) we don't have them B) He doesn't deserve that many... 7 a year is plenty enough... and we don't have the money to do that either...
We still need a big WR and that wasn't addressed this offseason. If it fits into our cap situation, I'm all for Edwards. If not, hold off until next year's draft.
Cotch >>>> Braylon Braylon has just one 1000yds season. So does Cotch. Their stats are very similar. Both had unstable QB situation. Braylon had Winslow to fight with. Cotch had Coles. Cotch is cheaper than Braylon and was a 4th rounder rounder compared to 3rd overall pick. Boldin >>> Cotch...do the math.
I would do this immediately, provided it's a 3rd or lower next season tossed in with TJ. Cleveland likely has the space to renegotiate TJ's contract, whereas we'd be extremely limited dealing with him before next season. It's a win win for both teams. EDIT: I should also mention this has to depend on Braylon lowering his demands from the $10 million per season he was reportedly seeking.
Cotch is a very different receiver than Braylon. You'd have a much easier time comparing Boldin to Cotchery, which someone tried unsuccessfully to do recently.
