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.
6
Apr
2009
Cleveland Rising
This week, READANDREACT spoke with web-journalist Barry McBride, the undisputed figurehead of THE ORANGE AND BROWN REPORT (www.theobr.com), a site dedicated to the Cleveland Browns and their diehard fans. His site, launched with sheer grit and determination in the 1990s as a way to galvanize the city and help engineer the return of the Browns to Cleveland, has transformed into today’s top-flight source of news, rumors, and coverage of the Browns… ANYWHERE. Barry, always humble, gives us his thoughts about Brady Quinn, Braylon Edwards, Eric Mangini, and the team’s glorious (and inglorious) past, as well as their chances of ever getting back to the playoffs (and maybe the Super Bowl?) before we leave this mortal coil.
Barry, thank you for being with us. These days, most people take a site like www.theobr.com for granted. But the site well-represents a shift in sports journalism. Your site’s stories have been lifted by the mainstream media. Did you ever think that might be the case when you started this whole thing?
It’s been an amazing journey, and proof that a website or any other media outlet will be just as good as the people writing for it. We’ve been particularly blessed there.
Back in the 90s, I certainly never thought we’d be at the point where we were battling toe-to-toe with some of the major players in this town for stories and opportunity. The website was started for fun, a sense of adventure, and the vague notion that appreciative readers would buy us beer. We didn’t have any big plan to replace any of Cleveland’s major media players.
In terms of how we’ve been treated by the mainstream media, it’s been a mixed bag. Like any group of people, you’ll have folks with great integrity and folks who lack any at all. You try to learn from the former and ignore the latter, although it can be frustrating or depressing at times.
The Browns have been through 20 years of turbulence. On bad days, the team feels like a franchise slowly rotting from the core out. Is Coach Mangini the one to turn things around? Does he get how much this could mean to the city and the league?
Mangini seems to understand how important this franchise is to Cleveland, and Randy Lerner certainly does. The team’s owner desperately wants the town to be proud of the team again.
The question with both isn’t whether or not they understand how important this is, but rather if they’re capable of making the right detailed decisions to get things back on track.
Mangini, for example, borrows his style from his mentors Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick. The OBR’s Steve King did a neat article not too long ago, which compared Mangini’s arrival in Cleveland to that of Bill Belichick in the early 90s. (The article can be found here: http://cle.scout.com/2/847469.html) The parallels are eerie. But under their surface similarities, will Mangini make the right personnel decisions like Bill Parcells? Is he capable of developing a game plan as effectively as Belichick? On both questions, the results in New York were mixed and the jury remains out. If Mangini builds a winner here, he’s redeemed in the eyes of the NFL. If he doesn’t, Browns fans will suffer through another re-boot in three or four years time.
Along those lines, we’ve seen Winslow shipped south for picks… we’ve heard whispers that Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, and Braylon Edwards are all available for the right price. Is Mangini confident enough to start from scratch? And, if the team parts ways with its “stars,” would this roster reset be a surprise to Lerner?
We met and talked with Randy Lerner earlier this off-season, and the Browns owner is convinced that the most important decision he can make is to get the right coach. He believes that Bill Belichick was the key to the Patriots turnaround, and that Chuck Noll took the Steelers from perennial losers to one of the league’s top franchises. His instinct tells him he made the right choice in Mangini, and he’s going to let his coach do things how he feels they need to be done.
Mangenius has arrived.
31
Mar
2009
Burress Case Adjourned until June 15th
Lesson learned: pants with belts make better holsters. AP Photo
The New York Giants will have to wait a little longer to determine the fate of Plaxico Burress, in the case of the ultimate dumbass and me-first player shooting himself in the leg at a Manhattan nightclub with an unlicensed gun he’d stuffed into the waistband of his sweatpants.
According to the New York Daily News, the case has been adjourned until June 15th, in the hopes of striking a plea bargain before then:
A quick resolution would certainly help the 31-year-old Burress if he hopes to play sometime during the 2009 season – though that possibility remains seriously in doubt. Sources familiar with the case have told the Daily News that prosecutors are insisting that Burress serve at least some jail time in this case as part of any plea deal. Burress’ desire to avoid jail completely is apparently why no deal has been reached.
So, let’s face it. Plaxico is going to do some jail time. He is charged with two felony counts of second degree criminal possession of a loaded and unlicensed hand gun. There’s a 3-1/2 year minimum sentence if convicted, so even if he manages to work a plea, he’s going to at least spend a few months upstate. NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is looking to make an example of Burress, so there’s no way he’s getting off scott free here.
It’s time for the Giants to move on. I’ve loved Burress as a Giant. He’s probably the most talented wide receiver to ever play for NY. I will always remember him for the NFC Championship performance at Green Bay (where he owned Al Harris), for playing hurt that entire season, and for catching the winning TD in SB XLII. But it’s time to cut ties with Plax for the good of the franchise. The Giants just can’t afford to sit around and wait for this saga to play out, in the hopes that Burress somehow returns for next season.
Braylon Edwards would look great in Blue
New York doesn’t have much else on the roster at WR – Steve Smith, Domenick Hixon, Sinorice Moss, David Tyree and Mario Manningham – so they need to go out and get a veteran FA. They could use a first round pick on a WR like Hakeem Nicks (UNC), but my hope is that the Giants make a trade for Braylon Edwards. Give up a 1st, 3rd and 5th round pick in this year’s draft, and pair him with Eli for the next 5 years. Problem solved.
