With Contract Year Looming, What Can We Expect From Braylon Edwards?

During the team's OTAs and voluntary mini-camps, head coach Eric Mangini worked with his staff in attempting to solve another Browns mystery--linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.  In attempts to make him more effective, Mangini and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan moved Wimbley around on the field, testing his ability in different positions.  Where the previous regime seemed intent on waiting for Wimbley to figure out his own problems, the new personnel is seeing what they can do to unlock the talent hidden in a once-threatening linebacker.

I struggle to believe this staff won't try the same thing with Edwards.

Say what you want about how awful last year was, but the idea of Edwards being a great receiver still isn't terribly inconceivable.  I know this, and so does the Browns front office.

With this in mind, I think the coaches will do what they can to get their big-name receiver back to his productive ways.

The new bosses already seem to be effecting Edwards.  In his post-practice interviews, he just sounds like a different player.  His quotes aren't laced with the "me first" attitude contained in each press conference from last year.  Heck, even after being forced to practice in the rain, Edwards came up with reasons as to how it could benefit the team as a whole.

Mangini's discipline will most likely yield results for Edwards on the field, and it may also give him a different perspective mentally.  He won't feel the need to run around barefoot at practice, and he'll be spending a lot of time studying the new routes and plays being implemented by offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, as the excuse of having a new coach certainly won't earn him a pass for a terrible season.

However, while Edwards will certainly try his hardest to earn a big paycheck this year, there are more than a few factors playing against him.

The biggest enemy Edwards will face this year will be pressure.  Pressure to perform to the best of his capabilities, and pressure to do this on a weekly basis.

This will be quite a task, as I believe it was the same burden which became too heavy for him last year.

During the 2008 campaign, the Browns were expected to bust out of the AFC cellar, which lead to them being scheduled for five primetime games.  Of all the players on the roster, Edwards was the one who was supposed to anchor fantasy teams throughout the country.

Unfortunately, the spotlight became too bright for the Browns wideout.  He talked multiple times throughout the year about how he was putting too much weight on his own shoulders when it came to playing his best.  His stats continued to do anything but disprove this.

While the Browns won't be gracing Monday Night Football as much as last year, his upcoming contract expiration may be even more of a task than performing for a huge TV audience.

He'll also spend 2009 facing more defensive pressure than ever before. 

Regardless of his off-year last season, most defensive coordinators around the league aren't going to sleep on Edwards.  They've seen what he can do when he's on his game, and they won't risk letting him find a rhythm on the field.

However, the biggest reason for the tough coverage he'll receive has nothing to do with his ability to be an impact player.  Instead, it'll be because there are no other legitimate receiving threats in Cleveland.

Rookies Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi are untested, David Patten is on the wrong side of 30, and while tight end Steve Heiden can be reliable, he won't give defensive coordinators nightmares. 

This being said, Edwards will be a prime target for coverage regardless of how many drops he accumulates.  Try as he may, he'll never be able to convice opposing teams to yell, "TRIPLE COVERAGE ON MIKE FURREY!"

So, will Braylon Edwards put his best foot forward this year?  I'd like to believe so.

But, will his task of becoming an impact player be more difficult than ever before? Definitely.

Its his last chance to prove he's not an overrated prima donna, and if he comes through on top, nobody benefits more than the Browns.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?