Do you think Eric Mangini and the Jets are on speed dial? I think Mangini must subscribe to the Peter Frampton theory I wrote about last week---only has a few players he knows. The Braylon Edwards deal today is another trade the Jets were able to make because of the familiarity of Mangini with the Jets roster. Essentially, the Jets gave up two middle-round picks and some backup players for a young, talented receiver who has scored 25 career touchdowns. Not a bad deal if you can make it.
In all trades, someone assumes more of the risk, whether it be the risk of hitting right on the draft picks or the risk that the player acquired can perform. In this case, the Jets have marginal risk in the fact that Edwards can regain the form from the 2007 season where he caught 16 touchdown passes. Edwards was never in good graces with Mangini and he was destined to be traded since last winter. Now he goes to a playoff contender who runs the same offensive system as he had in Cleveland. He gets to play for a creative offensive mind in Brian Schottenheimer who can utilize his down-the-field ability, and once the confidence of his hands comes back, he might be just what the doctor ordered for the Jets.
Edwards was very disappointing in 2008, in part due to his drops and also because of the inconsistent accuracy of both Browns starting quarterbacks. Edwards has much to prove in New York, but he does bring size, speed and power to meet the expectations if he can gain some confidence catching the ball. These drops happen to wide receivers all the time. Plaxico Burress, when playing with the Steelers and the Giants, had moments of sheer brilliance with his hands and moments of utter despair—but he could make the down-the-field play, which is what Edwards can bring to the Jets. If you believe what Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis said about where the Jets would be had Mangini stayed on as head coach (1-3), then you must believe that Edwards can turn his game around once he leaves the secret zone of Cleveland.
What do the Brownies gain from making the trade? They get someone familiar with their offense in Chansi Stuckey, who can win with his quickness at the line and is very good with the ball in his hands. He is not a starter, but may be an effective slot nickel player. Jason Trusnik can provide some depth at linebacker, and the draft picks in question are predicated on Mangini’s ability to select players. If the Browns can gain a starting caliber player with the potentially low third-round pick acquired from the Jets, they can balance the deal. The key for the Browns is Mangini gains more players who may not like his style of coaching, but will cause a mutiny in the locker room. Mangini wants a certain kind of player around him, but from my outside prospective, is that kind of player good enough to win with in the NFL? Looking at his roster, I strongly doubt they can.
The Frampton theory comes alive in Cleveland…
Former Jets Players
ACQUIRED BY BROWNS IN 2009
Transaction
LB Eric Barton Signed
LB David Bowens Signed
DE Kenyon Coleman Trade
S Abram Elam Trade
DT C.J. Mosley Signed
CB Hank Poteat Signed
QB Brett Ratliff Trade
DT Brian Schaefering Signed
WR Chansi Stuckey Trade
LB Jason Trusnik Trade
Browns owner Randy Lerner better hope he was correct in placing his confidence in Mangini, because there is much at stake in the coming months. As for the Jets, do you think they give Mangini a playoff share if these two players become the reason for the Jets’ ultimate success?
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Mike,
Braylon has top 5 WR talent but I don't think a change of scenery will help as much as you believe. If anything his drops will be magnified in NY and he will treated even worse. I watched every game last year and his drops were closer 25 than the 16 he was credited with. He can makeplays and has to be accounted for, but he will always be a guy who drops balls. Some compare him to TO, but as selfish as TO is he always runs correct precise routes, which Braylon doesn't do.
Is there anyone other than Mangini who thinks this is a good or even fair deal for the Browns? I don't get it.
To address meateater's comment- I think a case can be made that Cleveland got the best deal possible, considering the situation they were in. Edwards will very likely face some sort of discipline if the report of his recent involvement in an assault are proven true. Also, relations between Edwards and Mangini had deteriorated to a point where, if Mangini were retained at the end of the season, he very likely could have requested a trade or held out. If you couple that with another substandard year (which he surely would have had staying in Cleveland), Edwards simply would not have much value, and Cleveland may not have been able to add the quantity they apparently wanted in return for their player.
An argument could be made that the Browns traded 12 games of Braylon Edwards for 2 picks and 2 players who filled needs. Of course, an argument can also be made that the Browns traded a premier player for 4 roster fillers. What is inarguable is that the Browns sacrificed their ability to win this year, and the Jets enhanced theirs.
Do you know who else wanted a certain type of player around them?... Rod Marinelli.
Even with the drops, Braylon has the talent to be #1 WR. Remember Matt Bowen's offseason article when he said that, even with the baggage (in and out of the field), there are only a handful of guys capable of playing and running #1 routes...
You're right Mike, and it seems to me that Mangini is dangerously looking a lot like Rod Marinelli in Detroit: having his own type of players around isn't going to be enough to win...
Braylon is a child and an inconsistent player -- a drive killer. He'll make the spectacular grab when his team is up or down by three TDs, but good luck if you're counting on him to make a pressure catch on third and six with a minute to go in a close game. But do look for him soon on the local airwaves. He loves to make commercials.
Browns fans wish him good riddance. The Browns could have just cut him and been better off.
He has a huge catch radius, it extends the field and possessions for your team.
For that reason alon he's worth it, he gives passers confidence in a target, so a read his way forces the defense to commit. They can't assume it's a bluff and you can peek safeties off the other targets.
Braylon is a child and an inconsistent player -- a drive killer. He'll make the spectacular grab when his team is up or down by three TDs, but good luck if you're counting on him to make a pressure catch on third and six with a minute to go in a close game. But do look for him soon on the local airwaves. He loves to make commercials.
Browns fans wish him good riddance. The Browns could have just cut him and been better off.
Question for you, Mike: Trusnik was the Jets' special team captain, and played a big role in the win against the Titans. I realize he may only have marginal value as a defensive player, but is it wise for the Jets to trade a key member of their special teams midway through the season, even if you get a player as talented as Edwards?
The Browns got what they could for a guy who has repeadedly said he is outta Cleveland as soon as he hits free agency. Edwards was a malcontent who repeatedly broke rules, drew costly personal fouls, and has a serious pass catching issue. Do you want your team to pay him a new contract? Ask Roy Williams how this story ends. Good luck.
Either way, the Browns offense will now be more productive in the long run with more dependable recievers who run better routes and catch the damn ball like Massaquoi, Robiskie, and Stuckey. Of course, there is still plenty of work to do, but Braylon Edwards is done holding this team back both on and off the field.
I think Mangini is putting on one of the worst coaching performances in history this season, but I still believe that the Browns made out on top of this trade. Edwards has issues catching the ball and running routes, as previously discussed, so I'm not sure how he is going to help the development of Sanchez. If they don't get on the same page earliy, Edwards me first attitude will not be good for a locker room that has bought into Ryan's program. The Browns aquired four prospects for a player that is precieved to be good by the media but hasn't shown anything on the field except for 2 years ago. How many of Anderson's INT's in the last 3 season have been throwing to Edwards? I bet a lot. They weren't going to franchise him at the end of the season for what his given the team the last two years and Edwards wasn't interested in being signed to a long term contract in Cleveland, so for the Browns to aquire this package from him was pretty good. The biggest mistake the Browns made in this trade is that if they new they wanted to trade Edwards they should have found a way to make Winslow work.
I agree with almost everything that mcgarnicle79 wrote, except...
At the end of last season, the Browns were arguably worse than even the Lions. Very little talent, no fire and absolutely no commitment to win.
By dumping the team's two "stars" - Edwards and Winslow - he has gone a long way towards cleaning up some of the mess. Neither player was worth either the headaches they caused, nor the money that they will undoubtedly be demanding after this season. So getting rid of Winslow was as necessary as jettisoning Edwards.
Having said that, I really don't have any confidence in Mangini. He may be pruning the roster and getting rid of players with bad attitudes, but there is little evidence to suggest that treating professional players like high schoolers is going to work in the long term.
Mike why hard on for bashing Mangini….how does Edwards have little risk? He had 1 good year in almost 5 nfl seasons…he is a selfish player, who is a Diva and who doesn’t run good routes and doesn’t really love the game of football…..so how does that equate into little risk exactly?
Mike B said it best.
Ask Roy Williams how this story ends.
"Braylon is a child and an inconsistent player -- a drive killer. He'll make the spectacular grab when his team is up or down by three TDs, but good luck if you're counting on him to make a pressure catch on third and six with a minute to go in a close game. But do look for him soon on the local airwaves. He loves to make commercials.
Browns fans wish him good riddance."
What he said. As a Michigan fan also, I can say this is nothing new for him - this was the same play he had with the Maize and Blue.
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Oct 07, 2009
05:48 PM
Buy low, sell high. Jets did, Browns didn't