Box Score: Pirates 9, Indians 5
June 17, 2012While We’re Waiting… Santana’s power, trade options and happy birthday Sandy
June 18, 2012As Mike Holmgren came out front to talk about the Browns last week, he was asked frequently about the Browns and how they feel about their wide receivers. Out of one side of his mouth, Holmgren proclaimed his love for Mohamed Massaquoi and stated his expectations of the receiver are high. Out of the other side of his mouth, he indicated (without using any specific names) that the Browns made bids for receivers like Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan, but were drastically outbid in free agency.
If they ever had Braylon Edwards somewhere deep on their list of backup plans for the position, there’s no need to remove him from that list yet.
The Jets have apparently closed the door on Braylon Edwards coming back.
The New York Post reported that they Jets have ruled it out, opting to go with a group of younger wideouts.
Edwards caught just 15 passes for 181 yards in nine games with San Francisco last year, as he was slowed by knee and shoulder injuries. The 49ers released him before the end of the regular season, and some thought the Jets were a logical landing spot.
You might think that the Browns would be a logical landing spot too considering the problems they’ve had at receiver in the past. Of course Browns fans, who have clamored for every receiver under the sun including Lee Evans, have been talking about Edwards a bit here and there. Still, there is no actual indication that the Browns have any interest bringing him back.
I am not sure whether that says more about Edwards or Travis Benjamin and Josh Cooper.
[Related: Mike Holmgren changes Browns public relations course]
47 Comments
the NFL just hates Braylon because he went to Michigan
Or the fact that other than 1 season with Cleveland he’s pretty much sucked.
I think I’d pass. He was all butter-fingers here and while Weeden is probably superior to the silliness that was throwing to Braylon when he was here, I think he left on a bad note, right?
Can’t really form a persuasive argument to justify signing Braylon – there are vastly more negatives than reasons for doing so.
It’s also difficult to recall an instance where a team picking up an aging, declining receiver (i.e. Chad Johnson, TO, etc) has significantly benefited from that player.
Pass on Edwards, and let’s see if Weeden can optimize whatever talent exists at WR.
What’s your point Walter?
Randy Moss w/ the Pats comes to mind. TO also had good years in Dallas and Cinci.
If a WR has any talent to milk out, then teams are usually willing to take that chance. Considering Braylon couldn’t even make the 49ers 53man roster for the playoffs, I think most teams have considered him more trouble than he’s worth.
I’ll pass, my NE Ohio roots just don’t understand his NY essence.
I’d rather bring back Andre King.
Moss is a once-in-a-generation “outlier” talent so not a good comparison. TO with the Bengals is probably closer, although he’s superior to Braylon in baseline ability as well. Chad Johnson is likely the better analogy, and he was stagnant last year in the same offense Moss flourished in.
If Braylon’s burst and playmaking ability is compromised he really doesn’t give you a whole lot of tangibles or intangibles beyond that, and certainly has his negatives. As you say, the 49ers clearly recognized this last season.
Besides, this town doesn’t need to be reintroduced to the term “diminished skills”.
I think I’d rather have Burress. He reportedly even wants to be here. At least he would be a red zone threat. Maybe we can get into the red zone this year and extend Dawson’s career when he only has to kick 35-40 yarders instead of 50+.
if he’s reasonably healthy, it’s pretty wild that in a passing offense era there aren’t a couple of teams taking a flyer on that much physical talent. He has always been able to get open and has good enough hands to make remarkable one-handed catches. He hasn’t been suspended, doesn’t have (publicly known) substance addictions. Of all the WR busts, this one is rare, a guy’s dropsies and personality alone sabotaging his career when he should still be in his prime. I mean, we’re talking about receivers, peacocks with egos that teams seem to tolerate ad nauseum. Or maybe it’s that he’s found a way to not be productive despite all that talent.
Somewhere Ryan Hollins should be thanking the heavens his particular wasted physical abilities led him to the NBA, where he can suck at the teat of financial security seemingly forever.
…for a reason
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=5598872
I’m still shocked he didn’t get at least a 2-gamer for that.
He left at a bad note at the time (punching one of Lequit’s buddies in the face), but looking back at it…
We did pick up one of his college recievers too. Don’t know a ton about him, but the chemistry has to be there.
Have you seen Dawson kick shorter field goals? He almost hits them over the net.
Josh Cooper, yes, he is an intriguing talent. It is perhaps unfair to invoke the Wes Welker comparisons just b/c he’s southern/white/little/fast, but I think we can reasonably hope for a Brennan-esque type of player in the slot. He’s a guy to watch when camp opens.
Yeah, it does put “leaving on a bad note” in perspective now, doesn’t it?
In similar news… Roseanne Barr is looking for work.
not sure if DUIs lead to mandatory league suspensions. But maybe Braylon’s probs stem from a greater commitment to his night owl ways than his game. His DUI arrest was at 5:00 a.m., Donte Stallworth had just left Braylon’s South Beach party at dawn when he ran over and killed that guy. He punched a little guy outside a nightclub here. Could be a pattern. Maybe he needs a pair of nerdy glasses to help him feel like a more mature individual.
Chad Johnson also had a much bigger/better track record.
Is this a serious post? There is no way the Browns bring back a veteran, high-priced receiver with serious injury concerns. This makes absolutely no sense.
I’m a pretty big fan of “forgive and forget”. Why not bring the kid in and see if he can do anything. If not, cut him loose. He played for the Jets who don’t exactly have a prolific passer… and he went to San Fran who doesn’t exactly have a prolific passer either. If he had someone that could throw him the ball, maybe he could resurrect his sorry career. If we’re gonna complain all day long about not having any wide outs, we should be willing to give some long shots a try. And who cares about his prior behavior, as long as he comes back apologetic and willing to work. I’d vote yes.
put them up in a condo in NYC together with Tom Arnold the next door neighbor.
#InstantRealitySensation
I like it… let’s green-light it! I’ve got a Flip video camera we can use to film the show.
“I’m a pretty big fan of “forgive and forget”
…… says the person named DontbringLBJback.
Good catch.
ASmith had 17 TDs and only 5 INTs last year. He was also sacked 44 times! Amazing.
I enjoyed the clamor for Lee Evans almost as much as I did the outrage over Larry Vickers.
stop being so rational!
ZING!
What do you make of the Blackmon story? I think the point here is multiple offenses versus first-timers.
http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2012/6/3/3061502/justin-blackmon-dui-arrest-suspension-jaguars
I thought alcohol/drug suff puts them under the NFL intervention program, not necessarily suspension. My take on Blackmon is I’m glad Browns didn’t grab him at #4. Never good if you’re addressing a draftee’s off-field issues before he even steps on the field. Imagine the fan uproar here given the importance of this draft.
how dare you compare Lawrence Vickers to, well, anyone [cue heavenly string section soundtrack]
I’m not sure if you were being intentionally ironic (based on a quick read, I think you were), but I love this comment.
haha, yes I was being ironic. But seriously…
Tried to be a diva and failed at that too.
There are exceptions to every rule! 🙂 I joined this site right around when LeBron made the comments about being open to coming back to Cleveland… so it seemed appropriate at the time. So you’re against bringing BE back?
Well, I’d rather he turn into a Victor Cruz – but that wouldn’t fit the stereotype, thus killing the archetype – as I type.
So I guess you’re implying that Alex Smith is a prolific passer? Com’mon Ori. 1/2 his passes, and more than 1/2 his TD’s went to Vernon Davis. In one of the playoffs games (New Orleans, I think) he did not have a completion to a WR in the first half. Not good.
I’m not saying that Braylon is not a tool, because he is… but we’re just a little bit desperate.
“It is perhaps unfair to invoke the Wes Welker comparisons just b/c he’s southern/white/little/fast”
There are certainly similarities, both undrafted, both ran a 4.65, both from the same area. Only problem… Cooper’s chances of playing with Tom Brady are probably pretty slim. I hope he does well, but I don’t think he makes the team.
I’m not saying anything other than stating facts. You can draw your own conclusions.
I happen to like ASmith, but I don’t think he is prolific. He’s certainly better than Colt McCoy who had 14 TDs and 11 INTs and was “only” sacked 32 times.
But you didn’t just state facts… you added that pesky little word “amazing” after the facts. Is it amazing he only threw 17 TD’s? Is it amazing he was sacked 44 times? What was amazing about those stats? And I would agree, he better than Colt McCoy at this point in their respective careers. Although, 2 years ago, most people had given up on Alex Smith and figured he was going to be holding a clip board for most of his career (similar to what’s happening to Colt right now). But he’s still not a great QB, and he plays in a run first offense. Maybe if Colt had taken some more sacks he wouldn’t have thrown so many picks.
I don’t know – we’re just talking about homo sapien football players, right? 😉
Absolutely! Evident to even the most casual observer.
@6bddcea0a8302c466ef830f64139c2d0:disqus Pesky little word? Huh? Everything I said was a fact. He was sacked 44 times in a season and somehow finished the season strong and went to the playoffs. I think its safe to call that amazing.
I partly agree that if Colt had taken more hits he may not have thrown as many picks, but I think the poor play of our WRs contributed to that about as much as Colt taking hits did. Not to mention the fact that the mere suggestion of Colt taking more hits in the same season as “concussion-gate” is a bit taboo.
Suffice it to say that ASmith had a better year with seemingly more adversity (new coach, lockout, possibly “final chance” with the Niners, et al) and he performed admirably given the circumstances, as he super-duper increased his wins from 2011 and went to the playoffs.
May the Browns be that lucky with Weeden.
I’d rather bring back Rodney King!