Jets Acquisition Of Braylon Edwards A Gamble Worth Taking

(Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

When it comes to filling a need, Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum is as aggressive as any general manager in pro football. Since April's draft when Gang Green selected Mark Sanchez with the fifth overall pick, there was a glaring need for the Jets to get the young USC product a lethal weapon to whom to throw.

Sure, he had Jerricho Cotchery on the squad, and Cotchery is having a brilliant year for Gang Green, leading the team with 23 receptions for 356 yards and a touchdown. He has been Sanchez's go-to-guy on slant routes and go-routes down the sideline; however, in last week's dreadful performance in New Orleans, it was clear that the Jets were still missing something.

That something was a big threat receiver,a big name that could force opponents to put an extra man into coverage, the kind of name that would give the Jets a pretty scary offense.

Today, Mike Tannenbaum got that man.

Braylon Edwards.

Edwards has been available for some time. He has been in former Jets coach and current Browns czar Eric Mangini's dog house since April. Mangini never was comfortable with Edwards' prima donna personality, and when Edwards got into a bar fight with Edward Givens, who just happens to be a buddy of Mr. Cleveland himself, basketball superstar LeBron James, it was curtains for the troubled receiver.

Edwards was never charged, but the NFL is looking into the matter as abusive of the NFL's conduct policy, meaning Edwards could be suspended if Roger Goodell deems it necessary.

Edwards has a history of violations off the field. He was late to a team meeting because he was attending an Ohio State vs. Michigan football game. He was fined $150 and given 30 hours of community service for driving at 120 mph, and has been termed a "clubhouse cancer" by some.

But, on the field, Edwards is one of the most talented receivers in the sport. In 2007, he had a career year with 80 catches, 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns. Since that time, his production has dropped. Last year, he had only 55 catches and three touchdowns; this year he has only 10 catches and zero touchdowns and didn't get a reception in Cleveland's 23-20 loss to the Bengals.

This raises questions: 1) Can Rex Ryan tame Braylon Edwards enough that he will become a better teammate and football player? 2) Can Edwards develop a solid enough rapport with the likes of Cotchery, Kris Jenkins and Bart Scott, all dependable, good guys that the Jets have on this team? 3) Can Edwards build chemistry fast enough with Sanchez? 4) Will Edwards reclaim his All-Star status?

To answer question number one remember this: Rex Ryan loves the bad boy image, especially when it is on display on the field. His reckless, physical and downright nasty philosophy should be welcoming to Edwards who is as physical as they come at 6'3" and 215 pounds.

Keep in mind the Jets have developed a "Inglorious Basterds" reputation through the league with their consistent trash talking, cocky and hard hitting/take no prisoners play. Edwards could fit right in as the bad boy star on the Badfellas.

In addition, Ryan is an excellent communicator compared to the dour Mangini. Ryan should be able to dig deep into Edwards' soul and bring out that great player who wants nothing but to be the best on the field.

On 2): A lot of rumors have circulated of late that Edwards is a "bad teammate," and a "primadonna"; funny to hear, considering his behaviors were not as well publicized as those of Terrell Owens or  Brandon Marshall. If Edwards wants to be a part of this team, and if he wants to contribute to a team with Super Bowl aspirations, he needs to lay ego aside and listen to the likes of Kris Jenkins, Kerry Rhodes, Bart Scott, and Jerricho Cotchery. All four are leaders of the team and know the ins and outs of living in the New York/New Jersey area.

They will have to teach Edwards to cut the partying out a bit, especially in New York where paparazzi swarm like locusts and curious bystanders are at the ready with cell phones, blackberries and any other form of media to take his picture. Just ask Alex Rodriguez or Plaxico Burress about fishbowl living in New York. 

This will be a challenge because most receivers nowadays tend to be diva's, desiring attention, glitz, fame, and the damn football. Curbing Edwards' enthusiasm is the Jets biggest challenge, but it can be done.

Many players with bad reputations have moved on to to better teams, only to mature when presented with a bigger challenge.

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