13
Mar
2011
TheDarkHorse’s 2011 Mock Draft – Picks 6-10
Colt McCoy needs a dance partner. A.J. Green will do. (Source: BCSknowhow.com)
For picks 1 through 5, go here.
Let’s continue with picks 6 through 10.
6. Cleveland Browns – A.J. Green, WR, Georgia: Cleveland’s in a terrible spot. They’re moving to the 4-3, but have nothing along the defensive line. They have a promising young quarterback in Colt McCoy — and they’re moving to the West Coast Offense — but he’s got almost nobody to throw to. They just cut NT Shaun Rogers along with a flock of grizzled defensive veterans — a fiscally sound move, but one that’s left Browns fans wondering who will take the field next season. Changing offensive and defensive philosophies during a lockout-hampered offseason in which coaches cannot communicate with players is tougher. The free-agency window possibly opening for mere weeks, if at all, is tougher. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh and Baltimore have stayed the course. This draft is critical for the Browns, forced to address needs all over the place. Pat Shurmur was brought in to groom McCoy and flip the switch on offense — and Green is the kind of sizzling wideout the team’s been missing since Braylon Edwards broke free in 2007 — and before that, since Webster Slaughter. Still, many could question the Browns passing up one of the blue-chip defensive linemen — but how do you meet two needs at once?
7. San Francisco 49ers – Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson: This is a tough one for me. In a mock with trades, I see Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers pressing for a quarterback, or possibly even trading down into a spot where they can gather picks and select Florida’s Christian Ponder late in the first. Honestly, how many more coaches can call Alex Smith their starter? That experiment needs to cease. With Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert off the board, the 49ers select Bowers, a defensive end who comes with question marks around the health of his knee, but, if ruled healthy, could serve as defensive stronghold while Harbaugh seeks a quarterback elsewhere. Moroever, there are some promising young passers to be had later in the draft, such as Washngton’s Jake Locker and Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick – not to mention the polarizing Ryan Mallett out of Arkansas.
Picks 8-10 after the jump.
21
Nov
2010
Jets summon late-game heroics again, outlast Texans (VIDEO)
Santonio Holmes does "The Jet" after scoring the game-winning TD against the Texans (Image via nflgridirongab.com)
For the third straight week, the Jets snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, scoring a dramatic 30-27 victory over Houston at the New Meadowlands today. New York blew a 16-point fourth quarter lead and trailed 27-23 with less than a minute to go, setting the stage for Mark Sanchez to summon his late-game heroics once again.
Sanchez let the Jets offense 66 yards in :45 seconds on 3 plays – including a 42-yard pass to Braylon Edwards, giving them first and goal from the six with :10 to play … that’s when Sanchez looked to his new favorite target, Santonio Holmes:
WATCH THE VIDEO HIGHLIGHT AFTER THE JUMP
3
Nov
2010
Introducing: Bread Favre & Braylon Breadwards
As a blogger, you come across some weird stuff on the interwebs. But every once in a great while you happen upon a blog that is so beautifully conceived, so well-executed, well … that it just makes you smile. Even if you’re not sure why.
Such is the case with Bread People, which came to us late this Wednesday like a beacon of light. Like any good American, we love our carbs, and this blog just spoke to us. There are a lot of excellent sports-related images on this site, but this being an NFL blog, we want to bring to your attention a few in particular. We hope you enjoy:
(Via Bread People)
CONTINUE AFTER THE JUMP FOR BREAD FAVRE
21
Sep
2010
Braylon Edwards arrested for DWI; released without bail
Edwards apparently chose to double down last night (Image via HotClicks)
By now we all know that New York Jets WR – and notorious trouble-magnet – Braylon Edwards was arrested early this morning in Manhattan on charges of driving while intoxicated. Edwards was pulled over at 5:15 am for excessive tinting on the windows of his SUV, and was later determined to have a blood alcohol level of .16 – twice the legal limit. This afternoon, Edwards was released on his own recognizance, and went straight to the Jets facilities to meet with his team and coaches.
Edwards' mugshot: beard & vision looking a little slanted
At the time of his arrest, there were four other people in Edwards’ vehicle, including Jets DE Vernon Gholston and OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson. The banner photo above was taken Monday night at a charity event put on by Jets WR Jerricho Cotchery, and shows that Edwards was already well on his way to getting hammered while double-fisting at the tables. But that event ended at 9:30pm, which begs the question: what exactly were Edwards and his teammates doing until 5 in the morning?
Edwards reportedly told police at the scene that they were coming from a party, that he had only had “a couple of drinks,” and that he last had a drink “about an hour ago.” But that’s obviously not true, since he was still wasted at the time. And how drunk must Gholston and Ferguson have been to get in a car with Edwards and think it’s a good idea?
Braylon – who scored a TD in Sunday’s win over the Patriots – just can’t seem to let a good thing be. Not only did he screw up on that play by doing the “Dougie” and drawing a 15-yard taunting penalty, but now he goes and does this, potentially jeopardizing his career in New York. Read the rest of this entry »
4
Dec
2009
Braylon Edwards still can’t catch
The New York Jets may have defeated the Buffalo Bills 19-13 last night, and they may have even been helped along by the efforts of WR Braylon Edwards, who had a 13-yd TD catch.
But that doesn’t mean that Edwards has shaken his long-standing problems with dropping perfectly thrown footballs. Check out this play from last night’s game, where Braylon gets wide open downfield, but can’t seem to reel in Mark Sanchez’ gorgeous deep ball. Probably ’cause it hits him in a bad spot … the face:
7
Oct
2009
Browns fans won’t miss Braylon Edwards
We’ve all heard about the trade by now. Braylon Edwards to the New York Jets for Chansi Stuckey, Jason Trusnik, as well as 3rd- and 5th-round draft choices (the 3rd-rounder is conditional, and could turn into a 2nd-rounder).
I think this trade works for Cleveland. This is a young team looking to purify the roster, dump “issue” players, and build a cohesive core roster–in other words, short-term fixes don’t mean much here. “But,” you ask, “hasn’t this ‘new’ Browns team been rebuilding since Bill Clinton was in office?” Yes, they have, and they have sucked thoroughly from A to Z; but Eric Mangini can’t be fired after a few games–as some demanded–based on the frustrations of a decade he didn’t ruin. There is no quick fix.
Lots of flash, lots of talking, lots of potential--very little production. Most Browns fans won't miss Braylon. (Photo from Deadspin.com)
Getting rid of Braylon makes sense for a number of reasons.
(1) Braylon–in the fifth year of a five-year contract–was going to be an expensive issue to solve in the offseason. It’s very unlikely he’d be with the team next year. No way the team was about to resign this headache for huge money, or tag him as their franchise player, etc. They just did wonders for the cap. Even if we head into this “uncapped” year–he’s not worth a pay raise.
(2) Turning a blind eye to Braylon’s knack for big drops–something that Jets fans will disdain immediately–he’s been average since that dazzling 2007 season. Part of reason, of course, is the Browns terrible offensive drought of 2008-2009. Still, Braylon hasn’t been a “gamer” on this team. He’s got all the talent in the world, theoretically, but something’s missing.
(3) Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie are coming up. The Browns have two talented rookie wideouts who are under contract until Planet Nibiru hits in 2012–so we’re fine.
(3a) Some are ripping on the Browns for not pulling the trigger on a deal this past offseason, when they could have gotten “more” for him. Really? In the end, the New York Giants (a very smart football team) decided they didn’t want to give up a flood of #1 picks for a faulty, mouthy wideout. The Roy Williams deal aside, most teams have learned not to sell the farm for an inconsistent wide receiver. Chansi Stuckey has more receptions than Braylon this season, and less bar fights. The Browns also got a promising young linebacker and two draft picks. It’s a solid deal.
(4) Eric Mangini and the Browns are an easy target right now. Sitting at 0-4, Mangini has taken a lot of heat. People will say the lovable New York Jets won this deal, but the truth is that most Browns fans–and certainly the team itself–realize that the Braylon experiment had run its course. Mangini shouldn’t be killed for weeding out the bad apples on the roster. He wants players who love the game and play for team first. We’re four games into his tenure, and things have been rough. Still, many coaches endure tough starts in reshaping NFL teams to fit a system. The problem is that we fans, and the media, have no patience. When the Browns are 0-4, it’s easy to rip on Mangini, the front office, the players, the stadium–everything. If this purification of the organization yields a team that plays tough–and wins–you’ll see everyone get on the bandwagon soon enough.
(5) Browns fans weren’t high on Edwards–he’s a Michigan player who goes out clubbing after a loss and gets in a brawl with LeBron’s friends. Is this the guy who blue-collar Browns fans identify with and want to pay money to see? No. Again, it’s easy to take shots at the Browns right now, but their fans are long-suffering. The fanbase is at an epic lowpoint. You have to wonder how many 10-year-old Browns fans there are right now–kids don’t like losers. Young people gravitate toward success–they’re Pats fans, Giants fans (youth who love style over substance are Cowboys fans). These are glowing, big-market teams who either (a) win playoff games and Super Bowls, or (b) are treated like they did by a fawning media. Cleveland plays 15 of its games at 1 p.m. EST. There isn’t a player on the team my mom could name. Nobody on the Browns is dating Giselle; being paid to promote their hair for Head & Shoulders; or dumping Jessica Simpson to focus on football, only to suck four times worse. This is a LOSING team, with a LONG way to go. Browns fans are still talking about Bernie Kosar, Webster Slaughter–and wondering if Marty Schottenheimer might decide to come back. Nothing in 25 years has come along to replace these old players and teams–frankly, it’s sad. It’s pathetic. With all that said, there is tremendous pride and love for the game in C-Town. They want a winning team, and they want it now. Everyone will say the Jets won this deal. Rexy and the Jets are a media-darling squad who “just got their deep threat.” Fine by me–have a nice day.
(6) Let’s see what people are saying about Eric Mangini at the end of the season. People have ripped him to shreds–some were calling him the worst coaching hire in the history of the NFL–after an 0-2 start. That’s ridiculous.
(6a) Mangini is stockpiling draft picks: This April, the Browns enter the draft with all of their picks. In addition, they will get the Jets 3rd-round pick (which could wind up as a 2nd-round pick); two 5th-round picks (from the Jets and Tampa Bay); and a 7th-rounder from Carolina.
(7) The 0-4 Cleveland Browns are going to SHRED the Buffalo Bills this Sunday. SHRED THEM UP. You heard it here first.
Eric Mangini is cleansing the roster of headcases. (Photo by richswerb)
8
May
2009
Rumor: Braylon Edwards to Giants Talks Not Dead
Could Edwards still end up snagging a trade to the Giants?
BigBlueInteractive is reporting that a “legitimate source” with knowledge of the situation has said that the Browns and Giants are still in talks to make a trade for WR Braylon Edwards.
Site owner Eric Kennedy quoted his source earlier today on the site message board as saying:
“The talks are still on. The Browns are being cheap right now and have no interest in re-signing Edwards to a big deal. They are willing to take low compensation. They are asking for a conditional next year (high as a 3) and Danny Ware and Mario Manningham (who Mangini wanted badly for the Jets). They were asking for these same two players before the draft, but the feeling is they can get NY to bite now that they got Nicks and Brown in the draft.”
“(I do not) know the status of the Giants response to this offer.”
Keep in mind that this is nothing more than a rumor, but if the Giants can get Edwards for their 4th WR (Manningham), 3rd RB (Ware) and a conditional pick, I’d say they have to pull the trigger on that deal.
Either way, we can now put this alongside Brett Favre in the category of off-season drama that won’t seem to go away.
BONUS LINK
ESPN’s John Clayton picks his 10 best off-seasons in the NFL
23
Apr
2009
Countdown to the Draft: 2 days
Ah, Spring … baseball season is underway, its playoff time in the NBA, the flowers are in bloom, the smell of fresh cut grass is in the air, college co-eds are shedding layers of clothing, and the NFL Draft is almost upon us! Honestly, is there a better time of year? (Video via Kissing Suzy Kolber)
Here are a few draft-related links to get you in the mood for this weekend:
- Pro Football Weekly has posted a new Draft Value Chart, which gives a position-by-position breakdown of where they think players will be selected. It’s pretty helpful to get an idea of who a team might at a position of need, and where certain players will fall – especially in the later rounds.
- Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry is slashing prices just in time for this weekend’s draft! NFL.com reports that Curry is willing to take less money from Detroit as the #1 overall pick than Jake Long received from the Dolphins last year. Most reports have the Lions taking QB Matt Stafford with the first pick, but according to MLive.com, they have also completed a deal with Curry if a deal with Stafford can’t be reached.
- Finally, the NY Daily News is reporting that the Giants/Browns deal for Braylon Edwards is dead. Honestly, I’ve heard so many different reports over the last few weeks, I don’t know what to think anymore. And at this point, both sides are throwing up so much smoke, nobody really knows what’s going to happen until draft day. For my money, I still say Edwards will be a Giant by Saturday night. I think all of the leaked info over the past few months has been posturing by two stubborn GMs, and when the Browns go on the clock with the #5 pick, it’ll get done.
8
Apr
2009
Why rush the Braylon Edwards trade?
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.
7
Apr
2009
REPORT: Braylon Edwards to Giants?
ESPN Radio 950 in Philadelphia is reporting that the Giants and Browns have agreed on a trade for WR Braylon Edwards.
According to the report, the Giants will get Edwards, and the Browns get the Giants’ 1st & 5th round picks in 2009.
Please note: at this point, this is nothing more than a rumor. If it was fact, it would have been posted by credible news sources all over the web by now. So, we’ll refrain from commenting further until it’s confirmed.
The report also stated that a press conference has been scheduled for tomorrow morning, so we’ll see how much of this is truth, and how much is just hot air coming out of Philly radio.
UPDATE: This report is looking more and more like BS.
Since there haven’t been any more substantive reports on this story yet, I’m guessing it’s not true. Well, at least the part about the deal being done and announced tomorrow. But it was reported on ESPN Radio in Philly. The guys at BigBlueInteractive.com have been all over this today. One guess as to where this story came from is that the Browns leaked the info to someone in Philly, in an effort to get the Eagles to enter the bidding and drive the price up for the Giants. Someone with the Eagles then leaked it to radio, and the internet caught fire.
But we know the Giants & Browns have been talking about a deal for Edwards, and a 1st and 5th is probably in the ball park. Something like this could easily happen prior to the draft, if not sooner. Stay tuned …
APRIL 8 UPDATE – ESPN 950 didn’t actually “report” anything about Edwards trade
According to ProFootballTalk.com‘s Mike Florio, producers at Philadelphia’s ESPN 950 claim that “drive-time host Mike Missanelli was merely commenting on a video speculating on the situation, and that ESPN 950 isn’t “reporting” anything about a possible trade.”
The piece goes on to propose 2 major “hurdles” in a trade to the Giants going through … namely that Cleveland wants at least a 1st and a 3rd, and that Edwards wants a big-time contract. But it’s possible that Edwards is pricing himself out of Cleveland with his contract demands, and trying to force their hand to trade him. Also, at this point, we’ve heard the Giants are still potentially looking at deals for Anquan Boldin and Ocho Cinco.
Seems like a lot of smoke … but where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.
