8
Apr
2009
Why rush the Braylon Edwards trade?
By TheDarkHorse
As Artie pointed out in his post last night, Braylon Edwards to the New York Giants has no actual substance yet. The Browns, under Mangini, have successfully kept a lid on every free agent signing, every release, and the trade of Kellen Winslow. Nobody knew about the Winslow deal until it happened–there were distant rumors beforehand, but they were theoretical, based on Winslow’s contract, and how the new regime saw him fitting in. Nobody called the Bucs trade.
Items things to consider here: (1) Mangini wants the Cleveland Browns roster filled with his guys: team-first, workmanlike players who give all to the Browns. This likely played into Winslow’s departure. We are unsure what Mangini’s real take on Braylon is, but the hot/cold receiver is not viewed as a team guy by some. (2) Braylon’s contract runs out after 2009. This may be Cleveland’s only chance to get anything for him. Mangini and Kokinis are mining this team for value and trade value, anything that will allow them to get their guys in-house quickly. This is why we’re hearing all the trade talk–value, value, value. (3) The Giants clearly need a receiver and Braylon fits like a glove; The New York scene is perfect for Braylon, and he’s less likely to shoot himself in a nightclub than his predecessor. (4) Don’t expect this trade to happen before Draft Day. If the Giants can only offer their 1st and 5th, the Browns will look for a better deal, pushing the Giants to sweeten it. The terms, as suggested, are titlted heavily in the favor of New York, which suggests rumor and inaccuracy. Mangini and Kokinis are *listening* to trade offers for players like Edwards, Quinn, and Anderson, but not seeking them out. If this is all New York is willing to give, don’t look for the Browns to rush a trade. (5) ON THAT NOTE, GIANTS FANS: Contrary to popular belief, the Browns are not a farm team waiting around to GIVE their players away to bigger-market teams, simply to help them fill holes.
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I heard that Mangini wants to move the team to Florida, so he’s going to try and put together the worst team possible to drive down attendance and get the Browns out of their contract. The roster will be filled with a bunch of has-beens and never-weres. Hilarity will ensue. Ryan Leaf will play the role of a bad boy quarterback who meets the right woman and turns his life, career, and yes, perhaps even the Browns around.
The team is wise to get a 1st and a 3rd (if possible) for a player who will probably NOT resign here at the end of this season.
If they can also trade Anderson for a 2nd or 3rd, etc., they will have about 7 picks in the first three rounds.
I realize it’s not sexy—to build through the draft. It’s much more appealing to sign expensive, ESPN-friendly free agents.
Moreover, it’s not like Braylon and Winslow changed the world. I liked them both, in theory, but whatever team picks up Edwards is going to learn very quickly that he DROPS a LOT of catchable passes. It was unbelievable at times, last season.
So, from everything I’m reading/hearing, it’s looking more and more like this trade is going to happen … but probably not until draft day.
TDH – what are you hearing from your end? I think the Browns might even want to wait to have Crabtree in-hand with their #5 pick before they pull the trigger on this. There’s no reason to tip their hand any sooner, really, and if they don’t get Crabtree, they’d be in trouble. He’s the only real #1 WR in this draft. Then they could use the Giants #29 to get the best available player.
And even though the Giants clearly have a need at WR, I think Jerry Reese is going to hold a strong poker face on this … it should be interesting to see how it plays out between him and new Browns GM Kokinis.