Remember the Good Times: The Braylon Edwards Era in Pictures

While I admit it is certainly easy to focus on the negatives, a comprehensive view of the "Braylon Edwards Era" shows that the controversial receiver also had many positive moments.

(Let's not fail to give Braylon credit for his performance in the 5-Hour Energy commercial...)

Join me for one last trip down memory lane, remembering the ups and downs of the Braylon Edwards Era in Cleveland...

2005 NFL Draft

Cleveland selected the highly touted Michigan receiver with the third overall pick in the draft.

Braylon had reached at least 10 touchdowns and at least 1,000 yards receiving in his last three seasons at the University of Michigan.

SI.com reported in its 2005 draft preview that Braylon was a "big, physical receiver who breaks games wide open or controls them from the get-go."

However, SI.com also warned that Braylon was "not always mentally on top of his game, loses focus or takes his eye off the ball."

Although I was initially against selecting the receiver, in hindsight it actually appears it was a good choice.

Looking back, the first round of the 2005 draft was very weak, and the Browns picked the player with the most talent.

(Out of top 10 picks in 2005 Draft, only second overall pick Ronnie Brown and Braylon have reached a Pro Bowl.)

Slow Start Marked by Injuries/Controversy

Braylon Edwards held out, missing the beginning of training camp his rookie season. While he gradually began to work his way up the depth chart, Edwards sustained a knee injury and missed the last part of the season.

Edwards' second season held more success but was also marked by more controversy. His infamous sideline fight with Charlie Frye and absence from a team meeting to attend the OSU-Michigan game were highly criticized.

2007: Braylon Breaks Out Against Bengals

Braylon caught eight passes for 146 yards in his breakout game against the Bengals.

His acrobatic 37-yard diving catch in the fourth quarter would become the signature play of his career.

The amazing catch ultimately won the game and sparked the momentum for the Browns' success in 2007.

The catch has been featured on many highlight reels and showed the potential of the 2007 Browns' explosive offense.

Braylon Connects with Derek Anderson

Much of Braylon's 2007 success came from his solid rapport with newly-named starting QB Derek Anderson.

In 2007, Derek and Braylon would connect for 16 touchdowns, and both would be named to the Pro Bowl.

2007: Braylon Fuels Big Win Over Rams

In one of his many memorable 2007 performances, Edwards exploded with eight catches for 117 yards and one touchdown against the Rams.

His solid performance led the Browns to a 4-3 record, increasing fans' hope for a future playoff berth.

2007: Braylon Attempts to Connect with Fans

At a game on Oct. 3, 2007, Browns fans began singing "Hang on Sloopy," and Braylon joined in the Buckeye celebration.

Later Braylon admitted, “I was definitely doing it. This is Ohio. This is my residence. This is where I play football. This is where I earn my paycheck. This is the city I’ve adopted and the one that has adopted me. I don’t mind doing O-H-I-O."

Despite the fact that he eventually used his affiliation with Michigan as a reason he was disliked by fans, Braylon attempted to connect with Browns fans during the success in 2007.

He also wore a Buckeyes jersey when he appeared on The Best Damn Sports Show Period (although it was due to a lost bet...).

Braylon's 5 Hour Energy Commercial

Who will ever forget that Braylon Edwards was the 5-Hour designated driver for the Cleveland Browns?

The infamous commercial was also evidence that Braylon's 2007 success earned him a reputation as a top receiver in the NFL, making him marketable.

2008: Motivated Braylon Injured in Training Camp

Although the Browns did not reach the playoffs in 2007, many were hopeful that their success would carry into 2008.

Braylon Edwards bought into this idea and came to camp expecting to improve on his Pro Bowl performance in 2007.

However, Braylon's plans were interrupted when he sustained a serious foot injury in training camp. While racing barefoot at the end of practice, his ankle was cut by the cleat of teammate Donte' Stallworth.

Although Braylon would eventually recover, it became increasingly clear throughout the season that the injury played a part in interrupting his mental focus.

2008: Braylon Reemerges Against Giants

Despite Braylon's initial lack of success in 2008, he came to play on Oct. 13 against the Giants.

Braylon's five catches for 154 yards and a touchdown led the Browns to an important victory against the defending champion Giants on Monday Night Football.

The Browns had bounced back to 2-3, and Braylon Edwards appeared to have overcome his problems. Cleveland looked poised to emerge as a successful football team.

2008: Braylon Drops Passes

The Browns were 3-4, looking to reach .500 at home against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite a quick start, the Browns let an early lead evaporate and needed a crucial third down conversion.

Derek Anderson threw a perfect pass, perfectly leading a wide-open Braylon Edwards. However, the pass was dropped, and the Browns were forced to punt.

The Ravens would score a touchdown and eventually go on to win 37-27.

Drops would continue to haunt Edwards and the Cleveland Browns.

Elias Sports Bureau has counted 30 on-target drops for Braylon since the start of 2007, tying him for most in the NFL over that period.

Even worse, though, Edwards has dropped 17.1 percent of catchable passes thrown to him. This percentage is by far the highest of any player with 80 or more receptions since 2007.

2009: Braylon Struggles Early

Braylon entered 2009 hopeful to resurrect his declining career but continued to struggle early. He usually drew double coverage from opposing defenders and was rarely open.

As usual with Braylon, frustration on the field led to frustration off the field. Although Braylon claimed he had bought into new coach Eric Mangini's program, it had become increasingly obvious that pressure was building.

His personal foul for fighting in the Bengals game and alleged assault of Edward Givens following the game is evidence that Edwards frustrations had clearly become a problem.

Braylon Traded to Jets

Which brings us to now. Braylon Edwards was traded to the Jets for WR Chansi Stuckey, LB Jason Trusnik, and a few draft picks (reportedly third and fifth round).

I am personally a supporter of this deal and credit the Browns for receiving a return on a player they would have likely lost anyway. Braylon's contract was up after this season, and it was becoming obvious he was tired of Cleveland.

My only question is why this deal was not completed earlier. The Giants were previously in talks with the Browns concerning Braylon, and it would be interesting to hear what they were offering.

I am also slightly annoyed about Browns coach Eric Mangini's desire to obtain as many New York Jets as he possibly can.

While I understand coaches tend to have affection for former players, I also think it's important that the Browns attempt to have the best possible players on their roster.

Despite these concerns, I do believe that it was time for the Browns to cut ties with Braylon Edwards. He was a talented receiver who briefly performed well, but he eventually became a victim of his own frustration during adversity.

Although the "Braylon Edwards Era" ended poorly in Cleveland, fans should not forget the moments when Braylon gave us something entertaining to watch.